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 is seeking a Senior General Ledger Accountant to ensure financial accuracy through monthly reconciliations, journal entries, and year-end audit support. The role emphasizes GAAP compliance, detailed analysis, and collaboration with departments for accurate financial reporting.

The position involves managing the close process, posting complex entries, bank activity, and ad hoc reporting, with a focus on integrity and timeliness within a university setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required; Master's degree preferred.
• 3+ years of accounting or finance experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP and strong reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly general ledger reconciliations and journal entries per close calendar.
• Independently prepare and post complex journal entries (accruals, deferrals, adjustments).
• Post journal entries for bank transfers, electronic payments, and bank activity.
• Manage recurring monthly adjustment entries.
• Process expense and revenue transfer requests as needed.
• Reconcile non-mandatory transfer accounts monthly and reconcile due to/due from accounts.
• Perform detailed account reconciliations, investigate reconciling items, ensure timely month-end close.
• Maintain GAAP compliance and university accounting policies across transactions.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Reconciliation

Journal entries

Financial analysis

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Master's degree preferred

CPA preferred

Job description

Job Details

• Job Location: Palm Beach Atlantic University - West Palm Beach - West Palm Beach, FL 33401
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: 4 Year Degree
• Job Category: Accounting

Summary

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 of 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.