Accountant

Sonoran Desert Institute; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Company-paid medical

401(k) with match

Paid time off

14 paid holidays

Education Tuition Benefit

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Sonoran Desert Institute in Tempe, AZ is seeking an Accountant to join our dynamic team. The Accountant will ensure accurate financial data, create AR invoices, process cash receipts, perform reconciliations, and support monthly accruals and depreciation.

The role requires collaboration across departments to maintain smooth financial operations. Responsibilities include managing AR, journal entries, and assisting with payroll.

Qualifications

• Two years or more of accounting/finance experience; higher education sector preferred.
• Experience with accounts payable 3-way match and journal entries.
• Knowledge of GAAP and payroll-related accounting functions.
• Familiarity with Bill.com, Sage Intacct, NetSuite, and credit card mgmt.

Responsibilities

• Lead AR invoicing and daily cash receipts processing.
• Reconcile cash and balance sheet accounts; prepare journal entries.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closings.
• Assist with payroll processing and payroll-related accounting.
• Support tax initiatives, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• Collaborate across departments and participate in process improvements.

Skills

Accounts Payable

GAAP knowledge

Payroll processing

ERP systems (Sage Intacct, NetSuite)

Bill.com

Cash reconciliations

Financial reporting

Communication skills

Education

Accounting degree (preferred)

High school diploma (or equivalent)

Tools

Bill.com

Sage Intacct

NetSuite

ERP systems

Job description

Description

Build Your Accounting Career | Make an Impact Through Financial Excellence

We're Sonoran Desert Institute, and we are seeking an Accountant to join our dynamic team

Our story:

Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) has been changing lives since 2000. As a DEAC accredited school, our mission is to provide students with current, industry-driven, quality education, delivered through online distance education and practical applications. SDI is an employee-owned company creating a culture with an ownership mentality at the foundation. We believe in rewarding our employees through the success of the institution. We’re proud to be recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute as a Great Place to Work for four consecutive years 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Come be a part of our dynamic organization where you will have the ability to impact the lives of others as they pursue their educational journey with us.

What you will be doing:

The Accountant plays a key role in supporting the financial operations of the organization by ensuring accurate and timely processing of financial data in accordance with general accounting principles and company policies. This position is responsible for creating accounts receivable invoices; processing daily cash receipts; conducting collections activities; recording CDL revenue recognition; and reconciling cash and balance sheet accounts to maintain alignment with the Student Management Systems. The Accountant also assists with asset tracking, supports payroll processing, and prepares monthly accruals, including depreciation and amortization. This role requires strong attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to collaborate across departments to ensure smooth financial operations.

• Lead the student receivables accounting process and activities for our latest acquisitions
• Reconcile delegated general ledger accounts
• Prepare and enter journal entries
• Support the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes
• Support the bi-weekly payroll process
• Support sales & use tax initiatives, filing, and reporting
• Manage the fuel credit card program, training, and accounting
• Own the periodic escheatment process and filings
• Support the annual budget and intra-period reforecasting processes
• Partner with the Director of Accounting to implement systems and tools
• Maintain organized financial files and documentation per institutional policies
• Assist in preparing schedules and documentation for audits and reviews
• Respond to basic financial data requests and collaborate with internal departments
• Participate in training and contribute to process improvements with an AI focused mindset
• Other tasks as assigned

What we offer:

• Highly competitive compensation
• Award winning culture
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Comprehensive benefits package with 100% company-paid medical option for employee
• 401(k) with generous company match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Company-paid Life insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer time off!)
• 14 Paid holidays
• Referral program
• Education Tuition Benefit program
• Career development opportunities with a growing company
• And perhaps most importantly, a team who is dedicated to your success!

Requirements

What we are looking for:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; has obtained or is working towards a degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; preferred
• Two years or more of accounting or finance experience; experience in the higher education sector preferred
• Direct experience with Accounts Payable 3-way match procedures (purchase order, receipt of goods, and invoice)
• Experience with Bill.com, ERP systems (e.g. Sage Intacct, NetSuite), and credit card management software
• Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and fundamental accounting concepts
• Familiarity with payroll processing and related accounting functions
• Knowledge of invoice processing, payment cycles, and cash management
• Ability to ensure accuracy in financial data entry, reconciliations, and reporting
• Capable of managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with team members and stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Effective communicator and collaborative team player
• Results-oriented, organized self- starter
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Sonoran Desert Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It recruits and hires without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran or disability status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any factors prohibited by law and affirms in policy and practice to support equal opportunity in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

*Unless specifically agreed upon, SDI does not provide relocation assistance.

**Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

***All benefits not available immediately upon hire. Some eligibility requirements may need to be met to be eligible for some benefits based on company policy.