Senior Accountant: Month-End Champion

Vanguard University of Southern California; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard University seeks a Senior Accountant to provide senior-level accounting support within Fiscal Management and Accounting Operations. You will prepare monthly GAAP financial statements, lead month-end close, and review reconciliations, reporting to the Controller.

Responsibilities include asset accounting, journal entry oversight, interfacing with multiple systems, supporting auditors, and assisting with tax returns (Form 990). Prior nonprofit or higher education experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field with accounting emphasis.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, incl. GL, reconciliations, month-end close.
• Strong knowledge of current GAAP.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit accounting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly GAAP financial statements and analyses, and report to the Controller.
• Champion the month-end closing process and ensure accuracy of reports.
• Review and approve monthly reconciliations of general ledger accounts.
• Oversee and approve reconciliations across departments and GL postings.
• Coordinate accounting for fixed assets with campus departments.
• Review and approve journal entries prepared by staff.
• Review weekly check runs for accuracy and approvals.
• Assist in purchase order reviews and receivables accounting.
• Manage interfaces between accounting systems, payroll, and related systems.
• Collaborate with auditors during annual external audits.
• Assist the Controller with income tax returns (Form 990, 990-T, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Excel

Interpersonal communication

Organization

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

Ellucian Colleague ERP

Job description

Vanguard University seeks a Senior Accountant to provide senior-level accounting support within Fiscal Management and Accounting Operations. You will prepare monthly GAAP financial statements, lead month-end close, and review reconciliations, reporting to the Controller.

Responsibilities include asset accounting, journal entry oversight, interfacing with multiple systems, supporting auditors, and assisting with tax returns (Form 990). Prior nonprofit or higher education experience is preferred.