Senior Accountant

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY; Rosemont (PA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Villanova University is seeking a Senior Accountant to manage accounting for PP&E, capital projects, leases, long-term debt, and the Refectory restaurant. The role ensures GAAP compliance, prepares depreciation, maintains asset records, and supports financial reporting with custom reports and training to the campus community.

You will work with Financial Affairs and college finance managers to produce tailored reports, test system upgrades, and assist auditors, with responsibilities spanning

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• Three years of accounting experience, preferably in a university or similar environment.
• Understanding GAAP in a not-for-profit higher-education setting and knowledge of fund accounting concepts.
• Experience with enterprise financial software (Ellucian Banner desirable) and custom report writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and ability to perform complex spreadsheet analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain PP&E accounting in accordance with GAAP, review departmental purchases, and capitalize expenditures.
• Maintain electronic work‑papers for all assets, ensure physical tagging, and reconcile detailed PP&E records with the G/L.
• Prepare depreciation calculations, projections, and fixed asset system reconciliations.
• Assist with capital project accounts, donor-funded projects, and funding status reports.
• Account for leases in accordance with GAAP, coordinate with external service providers, and update lease accounting software.
• Book quarterly lease accounting entries and reconcile balances; support year-end footnote development.
• Reconcile G/L to custodian statements, record debt service entries, and coordinate reimbursement and construction fund reconciliations.
• Track bond principal and interest payments, amortization of issuance costs, and compare projections vs. actuals.
• Perform transfers, accruals, tax filings, and general ledger period close transactions.
• Prepare and distribute monthly management reports and account analyses.
• Conduct reconciliations, audit support, and provide information to external auditors.

Skills

Excel

Advanced Excel

Spreadsheet analysis

Financial reporting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration

Tools

Ellucian Banner

Job description

Senior Accountant

Position Summary: Reporting to the accounting of the University’s property, plant & equipment, capital projects, leases, long‑term and other debt, The Refectory restaurant accounting and reconcilement, and a variety of general accounting and financial functions, ensuring accurate and timely recording and reporting of financial data in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. The individual in this position works with appropriate functional areas to review, and develop, policies and procedures, to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, as well as University business processes and internal controls. The Senior Accountant will assist in developing financial reports to use in reviewing financial performance, as well as assist departments by providing custom reports and access to financial system data as needed. The position will maintain strong functional knowledge of the University’s financial information system, assist in testing new system functionality and upgrades, and provides support and training to the University community.

Responsibilities

• 1. Property Plant and Equipment (PP&E)
  
  • Oversee and maintain PP&E accounting in accordance with GAAP, review departmental purchases, and capitalize expenditures.
  • Maintain electronic work‑papers for all assets, ensure physical tagging, and reconcile detailed PP&E records with the G/L.
  • Prepare depreciation calculations, projections, and fixed asset system reconciliations.
  • Assist with capital project accounts, donor‑funded projects, and funding status reports.
• 2. Leases
  
  • Account for leases in accordance with GAAP, coordinate with external service providers, and update lease accounting software.
  • Book quarterly lease accounting entries and reconcile balances; support year‑end footnote development.
• 3. Bonds
  
  • Reconcile G/L to custodian statements, record debt service entries, and coordinate reimbursement and construction fund reconciliations.
  • Track bond principal and interest payments, amortization of issuance costs, and compare projections vs. actuals.
  • Maintain workpapers for bond issuances and letters of credit.
• 4. Month‑End Tasks and Entries
  
  • Perform transfers, accruals, tax filings, and general ledger period close transactions.
  • Prepare and distribute monthly management reports and account analyses.
• 5. Year‑End Tasks and Entries
  
  • Conduct reconciliations, audit support, and provide information to external auditors.
• 6. The Refectory Restaurant
  
  • Reconcile restaurant accounting reports and the related bank account on a monthly basis.
• 7. Financial Reporting
  
  • Collaborate with Financial Affairs and college finance managers to develop customized reports.
• 8. System Maintenance
  
  • Maintain and develop knowledge of the university’s financial systems, test upgrades, and troubleshoot issues.
• 9. Training
  
  • Provide university‑wide training on financial system functions, budgeting, and transaction review.
• 10. Federal Tax Forms
  
  • Prepare 1042‑S forms and coordinate with third‑party vendors.
• Other accounting tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration (CPA preferred but not required).
• Three years of accounting experience, preferably in a university or similar environment, with knowledge of enterprise‑wide accounting applications.
• Understanding of GAAP in a not‑for‑profit higher‑education setting and knowledge of fund accounting concepts.
• Experience with enterprise financial software (Ellucian Banner desirable) and custom report writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and ability to perform complex spreadsheet analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Ellucian Banner or comparable ERP.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently under general supervision.
• Capability to solve problems, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to new software and procedures.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.