Senior Accountant

Montclair State University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Montclair State University is seeking a Senior Accountant to ensure accurate general ledger balances and timely month-end close. You will analyze reconciliations, manage fixed assets, construction in progress, and leases under GASB87, coordinating with Finance & Treasury.

Role requires a Bachelor's in accounting and five years of relevant experience, with preference for Workday ERP, advanced Excel, and CPA eligibility. Strong communication and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in accounting, reconciliation, and fixed assets.
• Knowledge of journal entries, financial statement prep, GAAP, GASB/FASB concepts.
• Excellent customer service and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Prepare complex general ledger reconciliations and detailed analysis.
• Prepare bank reconciliations.
• Review account activity for accuracy and proper recording.
• Research discrepancies and prepare required journal entries.
• Assist in month-end close procedures and close process.
• Account for Fixed Assets, construction in progress, capital projects and leases under GASB87.
• Collaborate with Finance & Treasury to record deposits/disbursements timely.
• Identify and implement improvements to financial controls and reporting.
• Prepare audit schedules and footnotes; assist with audits.
• Lead special projects including system testing and process improvements.
• Meet deliverable deadlines and assist stakeholders with balance explanations.
• Respond to financial questions by researching data and provide training as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Team player

Problem solving

Decision making

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Tools

Workday

Excel (Advanced)

Job description

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Director of General Accounting, the Senior Accountant is responsible for ensuring accurate general ledger account balances that are substantiated by the completion of monthly account analysis and reconciliations and timely close of the University's financial records. This position is also responsible for accounting of fixed assets, construction in progress and leases under GASB 87 guidance.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Prepare complex general ledger account reconciliations and detailed analysis of assigned general ledger accounts.

Prepare bank reconciliations.

Review and monitor account activity to ensure accuracy, completeness, and the proper recording of transactions.

Research and resolve discrepancies and prepare appropriate journal entries as required.

Assist in close procedures and month end close process by completing steps as assigned.

Perform accounting for Fixed Assets, construction in progress, capital projects and leases under GASB87 guidance.

Work collaboratively with Finance & Treasury associates and other University departments to ensure that deposit/disbursements are recorded in the system in the period of occurrence.

Identify and recommend improvements to financial controls and reporting; implement approved changes to existing processes.

Prepare audit schedules and footnotes; assist with audit inquiries.

Actively participate in or lead special projects as assigned including testing system implementations, upgrades, or enhancement; conducting financial analysis and developing ad hoc reports; and processing improvement initiatives.

Meet deliverable deadlines.

Assist stakeholders and requestor so they understand account balances and content.

Answer account and other financial questions by researching and interpreting data.

Assist the Financial Reporting area in understanding account balances by providing account fluctuation explanations.

Resolve helpdesk tickets as first level support for general ledger inquiries.

Provide end user training/guidance in one on one and group settings.

Keep abreast of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) as well as of State and Federal circulars and Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

Qualifications

REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited university or college. Minimum of five years of relevant experience in a financial/accounting function preparing account analysis, reconciliations and fixed assets. Knowledge and experience with journal entries, financial statement preparation, and general accounting concepts including GAAP and application as issued by GASB and/or FASB. Excellent customer service. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

PREFERRED: Experience with Workday or a similar ERP system. CPA or CPA eligible. Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables. Experience working for a higher education institution, a large nonprofit organization. Experience in data mining. Team player with strong communication skills. Decision making, problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Professional demeanor.

Salary

Salary Range $80,000.00-$90,000.00 Annually

Benefits

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.

Contact Information

Department General Accounting and Financial Reporting Position Type Administrative Contact Information: For questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources' Workday Recruiting Support at 973-655-5000 (Option 2), or email [e-mail].

Inclusion Statement

Montclair State University values access and educational excellence. We are committed to an environment of diverse perspectives which ensures that graduates will be civically engaged, committed to democracy, and prepared to thrive as global citizens. We foster a community that promotes varied experiences and voices. We seek applicants who will contribute diverse ideas and perspectives and who value an environment that promotes educational growth and advancement for all.

EEO / AA Statement

Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity. Additional information can be found on the website at www.montclair.edu/human-resources/about-us/eo-aa-and-diversity/

Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy

Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities. The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/

About Us

Building on a distinguished history dating back to 1908, Montclair State University has evolved from an institution that was a recognized leader in teacher education to an R2 research institution ranked as one of the 100 best public doctoral universities in the nation. The University serves 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with more than 300 doctoral, master's and baccalaureate programs provided by 13 colleges and schools. Situated on a beautiful 252-acre campus just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair delivers the instructional and research resources of a large public university while retaining the supportive and personalized academic environment that provides a feeling of community more typical of smaller institutions. Montclair State University is proud to be committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in its recruitment and employment practices. The University is an inclusive, richly diverse community that fosters mutual respect, tolerance and understanding among all students and employees.