Accountant II

Florida Polytechnic University; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Florida Polytechnic University is seeking an Accountant II to perform advanced accounting for the university and the Foundation, including reconciliations, budgeting, and financial reporting. The position reports to the University Controller with a dotted line to the Chief Development Officer, and requires a Bachelor's degree in accounting and five years of experience.

Responsibilities span Foundation and Institutional accounting, auditing support, and collaboration with university stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, management, or business administration with accounting concentration.
• Five years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Foundation Accounting - 40%: AP/AR/GL, adjusting journal entries, monthly bank reconciliations, payroll deductions, and donation-related fees.
• Coordinate year-end financial audit activities and IRS Form 990 filings; prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries.
• Prepare, review, and analyze Foundation financial statements and reports for committees and university leadership.
• Review and account for gifts, investment activity, foundation credit cards, merchant services; reconcile with advancement records.
• Support Foundation budgeting, forecasting, regulatory and state reporting, internal controls, and ad hoc projects.
• Institutional Accounting - 60%: accounting for grants and contracts, reconciliations, revenue recognition, and coordination with principal investigators.
• Post campus-wide routine and non-routine journal entries; prepare balance-sheet reconciliations; ensure GAAP/GASB compliance.
• Conduct variance analysis; prepare management reports and executive schedules.
• Maintain relationships with campus stakeholders; provide policy guidance and backup support.

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Management, or Business Administration with a concentration in accounting

Tools

Workday

Banner

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT

Job description

Make a difference at one of Florida's premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting‑edge facilities and equipment and two award‑winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life‑long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly's deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

Accountant II

Job Description Summary

The Accountant II performs advanced accounting functions for Florida Polytechnic University and the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation, Inc., including reconciliations, monitoring, analysis, budgeting, and financial reporting. The position reviews and posts routine and non‑routine journal entries; prepares and reviews account reconciliations, financial statements, audit schedules, and management reports; and helps ensure transactions are valid, complete, accurate, properly authorized, classified, and recorded in the appropriate period. The position supports Foundation financial operations and institutional accounting for grants and contracts, financial aid, and accounts receivable, while providing responsive guidance to university stakeholders. This position reports to the University Controller, with a dotted line to the Chief Development Officer.

Responsibilities

Foundation Accounting - 40%

• Perform general Foundation accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger activity, adjusting journal entries, monthly bank reconciliations, payroll deductions, and donation‑related fees. 10%
• Coordinate and support year‑end financial audit activities and preparation or filing of IRS Form 990; prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries. 10%
• Prepare, review, and analyze Foundation financial statements and monthly or quarterly financial reports for the Foundation Finance Committee, Audit Committee, Board of Directors, university leadership, and appropriate Board of Trustees committees. 10%
• Review and account for gifts, investment activity, Foundation credit cards, merchant services, and other Foundation transactions; reconcile activity with advancement records and applicable financial systems. 5%
• Support Foundation budgeting, forecasting, regulatory and state reporting, internal controls, financial policies and procedures, risk analysis, and ad hoc financial projects requested by Foundation leadership. 5%

Institutional Accounting - 60%

• Perform accounting for grants and contracts, including reconciliations, expenditure review, revenue recognition, reporting, closeout support, and coordination with principal investigators and administrative offices. 20%
• Review and post campus‑wide routine and non‑routine journal entries; prepare assigned balance‑sheet reconciliations; ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, generally accepted accounting principles, and applicable governmental accounting standards. 20%
• Conduct revenue, expense, budget‑to‑actual, and variance analysis; investigate significant variances and corroborate explanations using financial and non‑financial data; prepare management reports and executive‑level schedules or presentations. 10%
• Maintain regular contact and build effective working relationships across the campus community; respond to inquiries, explain accounting requirements, guide stakeholders on policies and procedures, provide backup support to other accountants, and perform related duties as assigned. 10%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Management, or Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.
• Five years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• In lieu of a degree, an appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education or other not‑for‑profit environment.
• Experience with fund accounting, grants and contracts, financial aid, accounts receivable, or Foundation/advancement accounting.
• Experience supporting financial audits, preparing financial statements, and assisting with IRS Form 990.
• Experience with Workday, Banner, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, and/or Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license or a master's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards, including GASB guidance applicable to public higher education.
• Knowledge of not‑for‑profit and fund accounting, internal controls, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and accounting for complex transactions.
• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills, with the ability to investigate variances, reconcile complex accounts, establish priorities, and make sound decisions based on policies and established processes.
• Ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality when working with sensitive financial, donor, student, employee, and institutional information.
• Strong customer service, relationship‑building, written communication, and verbal communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, adapt to new technologies, manage competing deadlines, and perform effectively under pressure.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience using enterprise resource planning, advancement, or financial systems such as Workday, Banner, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, or Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and/or Other Specific Requirements of Law

• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• This position requires a criminal background check, which may include a Level II screening as required by Florida Statute 435.04.
• This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

Normal Work Schedule

This position is exempt/salary exempt. The normal work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. However, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required.

Target Hiring Salary

$59,500 - $65,000, commensurate with experience.

Location/Work Model

Full‑time/On‑site

Note: We will NOT consider employment‑based visa sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline Date

The position may be open for 14 days with a minimum of 7 days; however, we will begin reviewing applications immediately.

Diversity Statement

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

Florida Poly Benefits Information

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre‑tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

Retirement

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click Here for more information.

Other Benefits

• Discounts & Perks

• Annual Leave

• • To help promote work‑life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.

• Sick Leave

• • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.

• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

Explore Lakeland Florida

Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.