SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Job Summary

The Senior Accountant is responsible for ensuring that all College finance accounts, including account maintenance, transaction processing, and reporting, are accurate, timely, and compliant with institutional, TBR (Tennessee Board of Regents), federal, and state regulations, policies, and guidelines. This role executes and audits complex accounting transactions using advanced technology to provide professional financial services in support of the College’s operations.

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in any combination of:
• Making sure the College’s general ledger is accurate and follows rules and regulations.
• Preparing and reviewing reports and statements to make sure they follow the right rules.
• Maintaining records of things like capital assets and making sure they are up-to-date.
• Analyzing how much money is spent and comparing it to what was planned.

Essential Job Functions

• General Accounting (50%)
• Watching the College’s general ledger to make sure it’s accurate and follows rules and regulations.
• Preparing journal vouchers.
• Doing bank reconciliations to make sure everything matches up.
• Completing month-end, quarterly, and year-end close processes to make sure financial reports are done on time and correctly.
• Financial Reporting (10%)
• Helping prepare accurate and timely financial reports.
• Supporting the preparation of financial statements and other reports to make sure they follow the right rules.
• Audit Support & Compliance (5%)
• Helping respond to requests from internal and external auditors.
• Making sure accounting systems have good controls and that financial information is correct and accounts are classified properly.
• Departmental Support (15%)
• Overseeing tasks done by department interns to make sure they’re done correctly and on time.
• Serving as a liaison with other College departments to answer questions and solve accounting problems.
• Capital Assets (10%)
• Reviewing and maintaining the annual inventory of capital assets and identifying updates needed for capitalized asset records.
• Preparing journal entries to support annual fixed asset reporting for financial statements and note disclosures.
• Making sure compliance with institutional, TBR (Tennessee Board of Regents), and accounting standards related to capital asset management.
• Budgeting (5%)
• Aiding in analyzing budget variances between what was planned and what was actually spent.
• Supporting department managers by providing financial insights to help with budget planning and decision-making.
• Making sure budgetary reporting aligns with institutional policies and financial guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills And Responsibilities

• Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Suite for reporting, tracking, and documentation.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of college and university accounting, budgeting, and NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) standards to ensure accurate financial management.
• Prepare and review financial reports in compliance with GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board), AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), TBR (Tennessee Board of Regents), and State of Tennessee requirements.
• Interpret and apply federal and state laws and regulations to maintain compliance in all financial operations.
• Learn, implement, and utilize new hardware and software systems effectively to support accounting and financial processes.
• Analyze financial data and inquiries, identify trends or discrepancies, apply critical thinking to evaluate options, and make informed decisions that support the College’s financial operations and strategic objectives.
• Organize and manage multiple tasks efficiently to meet deadlines and ensure accurate reporting.
• Work independently and collaboratively with team members to achieve departmental goals.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate financial information clearly and effectively in both written and oral formats.
• Identify customer needs and deliver high-quality, responsive financial and accounting services.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information in compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and institutional policies.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in accounting or auditing in higher education or government settings.
• Familiarity with TBR institutions and standardized accounting practices.
• Experience using ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or financial management systems.

Work Activities & Equipment

Routine use of standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, and other related devices. Tasks include data entry, document preparation, email communication, and report generation using these tools.

Job Location

This on-site position is based in the Finance department located in the Administration Building on the main campus of Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee. The role involves travel within the college’s five-county service area and occasional travel to state meetings, conferences, and professional events. Travel across the service region for meetings and other activities is also expected.