Accountant I

Tennessee State University; Tennessee; On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Annual leave

Sick leave

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Tennessee State University invites applicants for the Accountant I role to support daily bank account reconciliation, cash activity review, general ledger, financial reporting, audit support, and compliance. This entry‑level position works with university departments, banks, vendors, payroll, and auditors to ensure accurate, timely financial records in accordance with University policies.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field and at least one year of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• One year of accounting experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams and other standard office software.
• Ability to analyze financial transactions, research discrepancies, reconcile accounts, and resolve routine issues.
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal, with internal departments and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Reconcile daily bank transactions and related general ledger activity.
• Prepare routine journal entries with proper documentation.
• Assist with month‑end close, audits, and internal control reviews.
• Provide support for payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable processing.
• Assist with financial analysis, reporting, and process improvements.

Skills

Bank reconciliations

Cash management

Financial reporting

Auditing support

Internal controls

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

Banner ERP

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Tennessee State University invites applicants for the role of Accountant I who will support the University’s accounting functions, including daily bank account reconciliation, cash activity review, general ledger, financial reporting, audit support, and compliance. This position performs entry-level professional accounting work, assists with reviewing and reconciling financial activity, prepares assigned reconciliation support and accounting documentation, researches routine discrepancies, and helps ensure financial transactions are accurate, timely, properly documented, and aligned with University policies, accounting standards, and internal control requirements.

This role works closely with university departments, banks, vendors, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, auxiliary units, auditors, and General Accounting to support daily financial operations, accurate reporting, audit readiness, and effective stewardship of university resources.

Daily Bank Accounts Reconciliation

• Assist with daily reconciliation of bank transactions, cash activity, deposits, credit cards, EFT/ACH, wires, receipts, and related general ledger activity to ensure items clear accurately and timely.
• Identify, research, and document routine reconciling items such as unrecorded deposits, returned checks, bank fees, rejected payments, and other adjustments; elevate complex items as appropriate.
• Assist with the timely preparation of assigned monthly bank reconciliations for review and approval.
• Monitor aging reconciling items, follow up with departments, banks, and third parties, and provide status updates for management review.
• Provide information to auditors, regulatory agencies, and other authorized parties in support of year‑end reconciliations and audit requests.

General Accounting Duties

• Prepare routine journal entries and accounting corrections with proper documentation, approvals, account coding, and compliance with University policies and accounting standards.
• Review cash receipt transactions for proper account classification and coordinate corrections as needed.
• Reconcile assigned general ledger and balance sheet accounts and ensure financial transactions are accurately recorded in Banner or other approved systems.
• Assist in coordinating financial activities related to auxiliary units and support departments with routine transaction issues, coding questions, missing documentation, pending approvals, and other financial matters.
• Assist with payroll‑related entries and monthly, quarterly, and year‑end close activities as assigned.

Audit, Compliance, and Internal Controls

• Provide documentation, explanations, and support for internal audit and external audit requests, and maintain assigned workpapers in accordance with applicable audit and record‑retention standards.
• Assist supervisor in audit responses, including research, documentation, explanations, corrective actions, and follow‑up items as assigned.
• Review assigned transactions for errors, inconsistencies, unusual activity, or potential control concerns and elevate issues as appropriate.
• Follow internal controls, segregation of duties, approval requirements, confidentiality expectations, and applicable University policies and procedures.

Transaction Processing and Operational Support

• Process and review routine accounting transactions related to accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger activity, travel, and departmental financial operations.
• Serve as backup support for check runs, ACH activity, wire processing, direct deposit activity, and other banking or payment transactions as assigned.
• Assist with daily financial operations, transaction processing workflows, auxiliary unit financial activity, and departmental accounting support.

Analysis, Communication, and Continuous Improvement

• Research routine accounting discrepancies, reconciliation issues, transaction variances, and other financial questions.
• Communicate professionally with departments, vendors, banking partners, auditors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to resolve financial matters and respond timely to inquiries.
• Support process documentation and standardization, process improvement efforts, and special projects.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned to meet departmental and University financial management objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with bank reconciliations, cash activity review, ACH activity, wire transfers, payment processing, or related accounting transactions.
• Experience using Banner or a similar enterprise resource planning system.
• Experience supporting monthly close, year‑end close, audit documentation, financial schedules, management reporting, process improvement, or internal control procedures.
• Experience working in a high‑volume accounting, finance, payroll, cashiering, accounts payable, accounts receivable, or business office environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• One year of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, cash management, financial reporting support, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, public accounting, or a related accounting function.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams and other standard office software.
• Ability to analyze financial transactions, research discrepancies, reconcile accounts, and resolve routine accounting or cash‑related issues.
• Ability to prepare journal entries, reconciliation support, financial schedules, and supporting documentation in accordance with established policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with internal departments, banking partners, vendors, students, auditors, or other stakeholders to resolve payment, reconciliation, or accounting issues.
• Basic knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, reconciliation practices, and internal control requirements.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University.

Official transcripts for positions requiring a post‑secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree, and/or certification must be presented upon hire. Unofficial transcripts may be attached in the "Transcript" section.

Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefit plans and more.