Senior Accountant

University of Iowa

Iowa City (IA)

Hybrid

USD 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

33 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work within Iowa

Fringe benefits package

Job summary

The University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, seeks a Senior Accountant for the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. The role provides finance and accounting support, manages budgets, prepares financial reports, and ensures GAAP compliance in a complex, service-oriented environment.

Responsibilities include monthly/annual budget reporting, journal entries, and training staff on purchasing and travel policies. Hybrid work within Iowa is available; the position reports to the Associate Budget Officer.

Qualifications

Typically 1–3 years of accounting or related experience.
Experience gathering, validating, analyzing, and organizing financial data from multiple systems and sources.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and strong organizational skills.
Ability to independently establish work priorities, manage multiple competing responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

Prepare monthly and annual budget reports.
Enter assigned budgets into IPlan budgeting system.
Reconcile monthly account statements.
Prepare specialized reports for leadership.
Prepare accounting reports for multiple units.
Analyze expenditures, revenues, transfers, and historical information.
Create and manage workflow processes for new transactions (procurement, travel, awards).
Review and approve purchasing and travel transactions.
Initiate journal entries and expense corrections.
Handle HR appointment status changes.
Process gift transfers at fiscal year end.

Skills

Accounting experience

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Data analysis

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Henry B. Tippie College of Business seeks a full-time Senior Accountant.

This position is responsible for providing finance and accounting support for select departments and programs in the college requiring a high degree of discretion and independent judgment. The position will be responsible for managing and approving financial records, preparing financial reports, analyzing budgets, and ensuring compliance with accounting principles and regulations. The Senior Accountant will play a crucial role in maintaining the financial health and stability of our organization and may also be responsible for other duties as assigned.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills, attention to detail, effective communication, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a complex, service-oriented environment.

The Senior Accountant will report to the Associate Budget Officer; however, reporting lines may be subject to change based on organizational needs.

This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location. Specific details regarding the hybrid work schedule will be discussed during the interview process.

Key Areas Of Responsibilities And Specific Job Tasks

Financial Oversight & Budgeting

Preparation of monthly and annual budget reports.
Responsible for annual entry of assigned budgets in IPlan budgeting system.

Financial Reporting

Reconcile Monthly Account Statements.
Prepare specialized reports as requested by leadership.
Prepare accounting reports and other financial information for multiple units.

Financial Analysis and Planning

Use moderate to advanced knowledge of general ledger system to analyze expenditures, revenues, transfers, and historical information.
Routine analysis of data conducted in search of new processing methods that solve existing problems or at the request of leadership or directors in area of assignment.
Create and manage workflow processes for new types of transactions including, but not limited to, procurement, travel, and award payments.

Compliance with Policies, Regulations and Laws and Operational Oversight

Advanced knowledge of GAAP accounting standards. May contribute to implementation of policies and procedures related to accounting and reporting standards.
Develop, where necessary, and maintain documentation of accounting procedures.
Critical understanding of University policies and procedures.

Transaction Processing

Review and approve purchasing and travel transactions for the College.
Initiate journal entries and expense correction entries as required.
Initiate accounting change of status for collegiate HR appointments.
Process UI Center for Advancement gift account transfers intermittently as required and at fiscal year end.

Leadership and Training

Counsel and provide training to areas of assignment for faculty, staff, and student employees regarding purchasing and travel policies.
Assist in the training and onboarding of new members of the financial operations team as necessary.

Get to know the Tippie College of Business

Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We have nearly 6,000 students within undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs spanning six academic departments—accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We’re over 59,000 alumni—and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings. We also hold the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and have maintained the accreditation for over 95 years (since 1923).

But who we are is not just in the curriculum we curate—it’s also in the community we create. Our leadership embraces our responsibility to pursue academic excellence within a welcoming environment where every student can thrive. More than 150 years after our founding, we continue to be a place where students can grow and flourish in their professional or academic careers.

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s Degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Qualifications

Typically 1–3 years of accounting, financial administration, or related experience, including experience with account reconciliation, financial reporting, budget administration, and accounting transaction processing.
Experience gathering, validating, analyzing, and organizing financial data from multiple systems and sources.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and strong organizational skills.
Ability to independently establish work priorities, manage multiple competing responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications.

Desired Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge of financial processes & procedures at the University of Iowa.
Experience identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing enhanced financial, reporting, or operational procedures.
Proven ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with faculty, staff, departmental leadership, central administrative offices, and external partners.
5 or more years of accounting experience.

Application Details

Resume
Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Adrian Cunningham at adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu.

Benefits Highlights

Regular salaried position. Pay Level 4A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.

Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

About Iowa

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world‑class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information