Senior General Ledger Accountant

Palm Beach Atlantic University; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Palm Beach Atlantic University seeks a Senior General Ledger Accountant to ensure financial accuracy by completing monthly reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting the year-end audit process.

The role emphasizes GAAP compliance, complex journal entries, and collaboration with university departments to maintain robust financial reporting and integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required; Master’s preferred.
• CPA certification is preferred.
• 3+ years of accounting or finance experience.
• Experience with higher education or not-for-profit is preferred.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and reconciliation skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare general ledger reconciliations and journal entries as part of monthly close.
• Post complex journal entries including accruals and deferrals.
• Assist with year-end audit process.
• Liaise with university departments on finance matters.
• Prepare and remit sales tax returns.
• Back up Staff Accountant and AP Administrator as needed.

Skills

GAAP

Journal entries

Month-end close

Reconciliations

Financial analysis

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem-solving

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Master's degree preferred

CPA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

In support of the university’s mission and objectives, the Senior General Ledger Accountant ensures financial accuracy and compliance by performing monthly general ledger account reconciliations, completing journal entries, and assisting with the year‑end audit process.

General Ledger Management

• Prepares general ledger reconciliations and journal entries as part of the monthly close process in accordance with the established close calendar.
• Independently prepares, analyzes, and posts complex journal entries, including accruals, deferrals, and adjusting entries, ensuring accuracy, appropriate supporting documentation, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Prepares and posts journal entries to record bank transfers, electronic payments, and bank activity.
• Manages recurring monthly adjustment entries.
• Processes expense and revenue transfer requests as needed.
• Reconciles non‑mandatory transfer accounts monthly.
• Reconciles due to/due from accounts monthly.
• Performs detailed account reconciliations, investigates and resolves reconciling items, and ensures timely completion of month‑end close activities.
• Maintains compliance with GAAP and University accounting policies in all assigned financial transactions and reporting activities.

General Financial Services Functions

• Acts as a liaison for University departments regarding finance‑related matters.
• Assists with providing information for the annual financial statement audit and single audit.
• Prepares sales tax returns and remits sales tax.
• Completes special projects and ad hoc reports as assigned.
• Backs up Staff Accountant and AP Administrator as needed.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required; Master’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience. CPA preferred.

EXPERIENCE

3+ years of accounting or finance. Experience with higher education or not‑for‑profit preferred. Demonstrated knowledge Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Strong reconciliation and accounting skills.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

• Customer Service Orientation – Keeps internal and/or external key stakeholder(s), students, parents, faculty, staff and community partners in mind at all times.
• Professionalism – Displays a high level of professionalism, e.g. timeliness, reliability, communication, and work ethic.
• Christ-first Faith – Provides spiritual support to community members, including students, on their Christian faith journey.
• Adaptable/Flexibility – Ability to change or adjust to change.
• Analytical Thinking & Decision Making – Identifies and understands trends and/or issues, connects data points through analysis and logical conclusions/actionable strategies.
• Attention to Detail – Ability to efficiently and accurately focus on a specific task or number of tasks. Reviews details with a critical eye.
• Business & Financial/Budget Acumen – Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of financial concepts, accounting, marketing and organizational functions.
• Confidentiality – Maintains the necessary confidentiality and discretion required for the position.
• Effective Communication – Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well‑articulated messaging across a wide variety of audiences.
• Problem-solving – Anticipates, evaluates, diagnoses, and resolves problems in a systematic and fact‑based manner.
• Project and Time Management – Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Self-development – Grow one’s self‑awareness, abilities, skills, and/or talent.
• Teamwork & Collaboration – Creates a climate that fosters commitment to a common vision and shared values that promote cooperation and working together through trust and support of others both departmentally and cross‑functionally.
• Technology – Strong aptitude to learn new technologies as department processes evolve.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time