Senior Accountant

Mt Mercy University; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Generous paid time off and holidays

Access to campus amenities

Job summary

Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids seeks a detail-oriented Senior Accountant to support daily campus accounting, student accounts, purchasing, and accounts payable while coordinating with St. Ambrose University for integrated financial operations.

This role blends technical accounting with customer service and process improvement in a mission-driven higher education environment, offering a collaborative atmosphere, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to contribute to campus-wide

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of four years of recent, progressively responsible accounting, finance, or related work experience.
• Experience in higher education, student accounts, accounts payable, or related financial operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Mount Mercy campus Purchasing Coordinator and primary contact for purchasing and accounts payable inquiries.
• Manage the Accounts Payable email inbox, process invoices, and ensure compliance with institutional purchasing policies.
• Administer the campus Purchase Card (P-Card) program, including cardholder management, transaction reconciliation, and monthly uploads.
• Assist with daily and monthly accounting operations, account reconciliations, and financial reporting activities.
• Support month-end and year-end closing processes while maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Manage all student account billing activities, including billing table maintenance and account adjustments related to enrollment changes, housing, fines, and other charges.
• Oversee student payment plans and coordinate with third-party payment processors.
• Collaborate closely with accounting and student account teams at St. Ambrose University to support aligned and integrated financial operations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of business processes and internal controls.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication

Relationship-building

Multitasking

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Mount Mercy University is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Senior Accountant to support the day-to-day accounting operations of our Cedar Rapids campus. This position plays a key role in maintaining accurate financial records, overseeing student account processes, supporting purchasing and accounts payable functions, and collaborating with colleagues across both Mount Mercy University and St. Ambrose University to ensure effective and integrated financial operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys balancing technical accounting responsibilities with customer service and process improvement in a mission-driven higher education environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Mount Mercy campus Purchasing Coordinator and primary contact for purchasing and accounts payable inquiries.
• Manage the Accounts Payable email inbox, process invoices, and ensure compliance with institutional purchasing policies.
• Administer the campus Purchase Card (P-Card) program, including cardholder management, transaction reconciliation, and monthly uploads.
• Assist with daily and monthly accounting operations, account reconciliations, and financial reporting activities.
• Support month-end and year-end closing processes while maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Manage all student account billing activities, including billing table maintenance and account adjustments related to enrollment changes, housing, fines, and other charges.
• Oversee student payment plans and coordinate with third-party payment processors.
• Collaborate closely with accounting and student account teams at St. Ambrose University to support aligned and integrated financial operations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of business processes and internal controls.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; or
• Minimum of four years of recent, progressively responsible accounting, finance, or related work experience.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and accounting or ERP systems.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and accuracy.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems independently, and maintain confidentiality.
• Experience in higher education, student accounts, accounts payable, or related financial operations preferred.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Access to campus amenities, cultural events, and recreational facilities.

Mission Alignment:

St. Ambrose University and its affiliate campuses, including Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners. Together, we empower all members of our community to act courageously, to seek wisdom through faith and reason, to work for justice and mercy, and to lead lives of service. St. Ambrose University and its affiliated institutions within its Catholic higher education network are equal opportunity employers.