Senior Accountant

Georgetown University; United States; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Georgetown University is seeking a Senior Accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) to oversee general ledger activity and month‑end close with a focus on GAAP compliance and accurate reporting.

The role requires strong accounting expertise, leadership, and the ability to work under deadlines across multiple projects while coordinating with campus units and external audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required.
• CPA certification required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting, reporting and audit experience.
• Strong technical accounting and financial expertise.
• Leadership, good judgment, and ability to communicate policies to stakeholders.
• Analytical, modeling, and dashboard experience; ability to write fiscal policies.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and review general ledger transactions and month-end close.
• Coordinate month-end and year-end close activities and audit preparation.
• Review and approve journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Identify and correct anomalies in monthly financial reports.
• Support policy updates and provide guidance on accounting processes.
• Collaborate with campus units and OCFO leadership to ensure accurate reporting.

Skills

Technical accounting

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Job description

Georgetown University comprises two unique campuses in the nation’s capital. With the Hilltop Campus located in the heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, and the Capitol Campus, just minutes from the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court, Georgetown University offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, and unparalleled opportunities to engage with Washington, D.C. Our community is a close-knit group of remarkable individuals driven by intellectual inquiry, a commitment to social justice, and a shared dedication to making a difference in the world.

Requirements Job Overview

The General Accounting Office (GAO) in the University’s Office of the CFO (OCFO) is responsible for the integrity of the University's financial records and systems and for assuring that the transactions entered into the University's General Ledger are recorded in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Accounting Policies of the University. GAO promotes the efficient use and stewardship of University resources and compliance with laws, regulations and reporting requirements through technical financial and analytical skills, and expertise in accounting knowledge. The Senior Accountant is responsible for the efficient and effective monitoring of the University’s general ledger transactions. The Senior Accountant works under tight deadlines on a multitude of accounting activities including general ledger review, coordinating month-end close activities, review of assigned financial statement line items, year-end audit preparation, and special projects.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Playing a key role in the University's financial management which includes reconciliations of complex University cash accounts.
• Ensuring compliance with internal accounting controls, and verification of account activity and account balances of assigned financial statement line items.
• Participating in the University’s month-end and year-end financial close process including accounting for complex transactions.
• Reviewing/reconciling other assigned balance sheet accounts and preparing adjusting journal entries to ensure accurate reporting and ledger maintenance .
• Monitoring monthly financial reports, and identifying anomalies such as the use of wrong funds and transactions that impact revenue and expenses and initiating corrections as necessary.
• Reviewing/approving journal entries and other ad hoc transactions.
• Performing ad hoc review of various University accounting processes and providing guidance regarding necessary policy updates.
• Providing training as needed and assisting with designing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure timely and accurate accounting for University activities.
• Supporting other aspects of accounting across the General Accounting Office on as needed basis

The Senior Accountant requires solid accounting skills, leadership and good judgment that is critical to the University’s success. The position must develop an atmosphere of teamwork with department personnel, other Georgetown departments, and OCFO leadership.

Work Interactions

The Senior Accountant works closely with other units’ financial management teams to ensure pertinent data is accurately captured in the accounting system, and relevant internal control policies and guidelines are adhered to. The Senior Accountant also interacts with the University’s Controller, Assistant Controller and colleagues in the Campus Accounting Team in reconciling general ledger accounts and, ensuring all necessary accounting entries are recorded.

Specific work interactions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supporting staff across the campus community, providing guidance and resolution on accounting issues and general financial administration inquiries.
• Participating in unit, campus‑and university‑wide financial meetings, task forces, and working groups as assigned.
• Attending and participating in mandatory and recommended training and development opportunities.
• Supporting in other areas as assigned, including providing back‑up to other General Accounting Office team members as needed.
• Coordinating with the Office of Revenue and Receivables on the accounting treatment of cash receipts for billed revenue‑generating agreements
• Collaborating with key points of contact in the Office of Student Revenue and Receivables to discuss outstanding items on tuition cash transactions as well as electronic funds transfers for external scholarships .
• Collaborating with colleagues in the Office of Gift Administration to discuss outstanding items on gift related transactions.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
• Certification as a CPA
• 8+ years progressive experience in financial accounting, reporting, and audit
• Strong technical accounting and financial expertise, including ability to initiate, review, track, and monitor financial transactions/requests through to completion
• Leadership and good judgment and the ability to learn and communicate University policies to a variety of stakeholders
• Analytical, modeling, and dashboard experience as well as experience writing fiscal policies and procedures
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills including ability to triage and escalation complex issues to appropriate personnel
• Great attention to detail
• Service oriented, professional demeanor and team orientation is required
• Ability to think outside the box and solve problems creatively
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to prioritize work and multi-task to meet deadline
• Experience in a complex higher educational institution or not‑for‑profit organizations a plus

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as Hybrid. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.

Pay Range:

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $80,429.00 - $157,238.93 Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.

Benefits:

• Georgetown University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement savings, tuition assistance, work‑life balance benefits, employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options.
• Georgetown University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement savings, tuition assistance, work‑life balance benefits, employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options.

EEO Statement:

GU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We’re a leading research university with a heart. Founded in the decade that the U.S. Constitution was signed, we’re the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today we’re a forward‑looking, diverse community devoted to social justice, restless inquiry and respect for each person’s individual needs and talents. Grounded in our Jesuit, Catholic identity, the Spirit of Georgetown undergirds everything we do. Watch this video to learn more. Learn how HR CARES for faculty and staff, nurturing an environment of mutual respect where imaginations flourish and ideas are realized to positively impact the world. Georgetown University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement savings, tuition assistance, work‑life balance benefits, employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options. You can learn more about benefits and eligibility on the Department of Human Resources website.