Business Office - Accountant II

Sacred Heart University; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacred Heart University is seeking an Accountant II to support accounting operations across multiple areas, ensuring accurate general ledger entries, timely close, and robust financial reporting.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Accounting with 2–3 years of related experience, advanced Excel skills, and strong analytical and communication abilities. Collaboration with university departments and adherence to internal controls are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required.
• Advanced Excel skills required.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, communication, and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned balance sheet and general ledger reconciliations, including cash and cash equivalents, accruals, allowance for doubtful accounts, and other assigned accounts.
• Prepare, review, and post routine and recurring journal entries, including accruals, reversals, expense allocations, revenue activity, and other supporting adjustments.
• Perform account-level variance analysis to support accuracy of financial records and investigate discrepancies.
• Support general ledger governance through account setup, chart of accounts maintenance, and validation of usage across departments.
• Adhere to internal controls and accounting procedures to ensure accurate, complete financial reporting.
• Assist with audit processes and external reporting requests as needed.
• Support NCAA agreed-upon procedures by compiling documentation and coordinating follow-up items.
• Provide cross-functional accounting support to university departments and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
• Perform additional accounting, analysis, reporting, and special project duties as assigned.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Job description

Position Summary

The Accountant II supports accounting operations across multiple functional areas by assisting with the accurate recording, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting of financial activity. This role helps ensure the integrity of the general ledger and supports timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with established policies and procedures. The position requires solid analytical skills to review account activity, evaluate trends and variances, support estimates and accruals, and identify issues requiring further research or resolution. Additionally, the Accountant II assists in monitoring and reporting the University’s actual results, preparing ad hoc financial analysis, and responding to internal and external financial requests.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Account Reconciliations and Analysis: Own assigned balance sheet and general ledger account reconciliations, including cash and cash equivalents, accrued liabilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, and other assigned accounts. Analyze account activity, research reconciling items, identify trends or unusual transactions, and coordinate with internal departments to resolve discrepancies timely and accurately.
• Journal Entries and Month-End Close Support: Prepare, review, and post routine and recurring journal entries, including accruals, reversals, expense allocations, revenue activity, and other supporting adjustments. Ensure entries are properly supported, accurately classified, and recorded in accordance with accounting policies and month-end close timelines.
• Variance Analysis and Financial Review: Perform account-level variance analysis to support the accuracy and completeness of financial records. Review fluctuations against expectations, investigate discrepancies, summarize findings, and elevate items requiring further research or corrective action.
• General Ledger Maintenance and Governance: Support general ledger governance through account setup, chart of accounts maintenance, account review, and validation of appropriate account usage. Assist in maintaining consistent accounting structure and supporting documentation across departments and financial processes.
• Compliance and Internal Controls: Follow and reinforce established accounting procedures and internal controls to support accurate, complete, and compliant financial reporting. Assist with approval reviews, compliance checks, documentation requests, and process improvements that strengthen accountability and reduce financial risk.
• Audit and External Reporting Support: Support the annual audit process by preparing schedules, gathering supporting documentation, responding to audit inquiries, and researching assigned items. Assist with external reporting requests and other compliance-related reviews as needed.
• NCAA and Agreed-Upon Procedures Support: Assist with the annual NCAA agreed-upon procedures process by compiling supporting documentation, reviewing assigned financial activity, responding to requests, and coordinating follow-up items to ensure timely completion
• Customer Service and Cross-Functional Support: Monitor and respond to inbound requests from University departments related to journal entries, account reconciliations, general ledger activity, and other accounting matters. Partner with internal stakeholders to research issues, provide guidance, and ensure timely and accurate resolution in accordance with Business Office procedures.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other accounting, analysis, reporting, and special project duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Characteristics

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• CPA or MBA desired, not required
• Minimum 2-3 years of related experience.
• Advanced working knowledge of Excel.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of accounting software programming desired.
• Ability to learn new responsibilities, to work independently and as part of a team.

Pre-Employment Requirements

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check.