Senior Accountant

Southeastern University

Lakeland (FL)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL is seeking a Senior Accountant to serve as a key accounting leader in the Controller’s office. The role supports the monthly and year-end close, reviews reconciliations, strengthens general ledger accuracy across funds, supervises staff, and acts as the Controller’s primary backup for financial reporting and audit preparation.

This position offers an experienced accounting professional the opportunity to grow into a controller-track leadership role within

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field preferred.
Experience in nonprofit or higher education accounting is desirable.
CPA certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with monthly and year-end close, including journal entries and reconciliations.
Review reconciliations and maintain general ledger integrity across funds.
Supervise accounting staff and support audit preparation.
partners with FP&A on close, budgeting, and reporting.

Skills

General ledger accounting

Month-end close

Nonprofit or fund accounting

Advanced Microsoft Excel

Written and verbal communication

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

Jenzabar

Job description

Southeastern University is seeking a Senior Accountant to serve as a key accounting leader within the Controller’s office. This position supports the execution of the monthly and year‑end close, reviews reconciliations, strengthens general ledger accuracy across all funds, supervises accounting staff, and serves as the Controller’s primary backup for financial reporting, audit preparation, and core accounting operations.

This position offers an experienced accounting professional the opportunity to grow into a controller‑track leadership role within a complex higher education environment. The Senior Accountant helps ensure the integrity of the general ledger across all funds, strengthens internal controls, and supports the university’s annual audit and reporting cycles. This role is based on the Lakeland campus and reports to the Controller.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Controller

Supervisory Responsibility: Accounting Coordinator, Accounts Payable Specialist, Staff Accountant

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Close & General Ledger

Assist with the monthly and year‑end close, including the close calendar, journal entries, accruals, and allocations
Review account reconciliations and ensure general ledger integrity across all funds
Maintain the chart of accounts and proper fund and functional classification
Assist in the preparation of monthly financial statements and serve as the Controller's primary backup

Team Supervision

Supervise and develop the accounting team (staff accountants, AP specialist, accounting coordinator)
Assign and review work; build cross‑training, documentation, and repeatable workflows

Audit, Controls & Compliance

Support the annual financial audit — prepare workpapers and schedules, as directed by the Controller
Maintain internal controls and segregation of duties; recommend process improvements
Assist with grant, endowment, and restricted net asset accounting compliance

Reporting & Partnership

Partner with Financial Planning & Analysis on actual‑to‑budget tie‑outs and month‑end reporting
Support year‑end estimates and GL‑to‑budget reconciliation

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

All remaining duties are considered “nonessential” within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION

Lakeland Main Campus

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field
Preferred: Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Licenses/Certifications

Preferred: CPA or active CPA candidate

Experience

Required: Minimum five years of progressive accounting experience, including staff supervision
Preferred: Experience in higher education, preferably at a private nonprofit institution
Preferred: Experience with Jenzabar or a comparable higher education ERP system
Preferred: Public accounting or audit background

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required

Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, month‑end and year‑end close processes, and nonprofit or fund accounting
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Commitment to the mission and values of Southwestern University

Preferred

Experience in higher education, preferably at a private nonprofit institution
Experience with Jenzabar or comparable higher education ERP
Public accounting or audit background; knowledge of GAAP (nonprofit) and FASB standards

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment.

Physical Requirements: This position operates in a standard office environment and requires the ability to sit for extended periods, use a computer and standard office equipment, communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically, and occasionally move about the office or campus. The employee may occasionally lift or move items up to 20 pounds, such as files, office supplies, or financial records. Extended hours may be required during month‑end close, fiscal year‑end close, audits, budget preparation, financial reporting deadlines, and other peak accounting or operational periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Travel

0–5%; occasional travel may be required for university meetings, training, conferences, or professional development opportunities.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required during periods of high volume, peak operational need, fiscal year‑end, or special projects.

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90‑day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows: Jenzabar/J1, cybersecurity, FERPA, GLBA, PCI/payment card handling, federal student aid and student account compliance, cash‑handling and deposit procedures, and applicable Business Office policies and procedures, as assigned and applicable to the position.

SAFETY

SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near‑miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Work‑related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident. Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations. Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.

EEO & Equal Opportunity

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non‑merit‑based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southwestern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.

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