Sr. Staff Accountant

Posting Details

Position Information


Position Title
Sr. Staff Accountant


Position Type
Regular


Job Number
SA94824


Full or Part Time
full-time 40 hours weekly


Fair Labor Standard Act Classification
Non-Exempt


Anticipated Pay Range
$38.50-$43.00


Pay Range Information


Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Position Summary Information


Job Description Summary


This position supports the accounting and financial management of University-related expenses, including preparing journal entries, general ledger account reconciliations, and revenue and expense monitoring. The Sr. Staff Accountant will interact with financial data, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of postings while maintaining the utmost confidentiality of sensitive information and other duties as assigned. The Sr. Staff Accountant position is distinguished from the Staff Accountant position by its responsibility for complex financial analysis, advanced technical accounting and fund management knowledge, independent judgement in resolving accounting issues, and leadership of financial reporting, reconciliation, compliance, and process improvement initiatives across the University. This position reports to the Director of Accounting.

Chapman University's mission is centered on serving our students and strengthening our campus community. Chapman believes there is significant value in an in-person workforce. Being present fosters collaboration, strengthens relationships across departments, enables us to better serve our co-workers and contributes to the student experience. It is an important part of the culture that makes Chapman a special place to work and learn.

Responsibilities

General Ledger Accounting and Reconciliation:

• Maintain and reconcile general ledger (G/L) accounts, including payroll bank account, tax liability accounts, financial aid transactions and payroll expense accounts to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies promptly through collaboration with the Director of Accounting and Director of Payroll.
• Prepare and submit journal entries (JEs) for accruals, deferrals, reallocations, and corrections for upload to PeopleSoft Finance, adhering to institutional accounting policies.
• Track and clear outstanding JEs, suspense accounts, and unreconciled transactions.
• Run distribution and commitment accounting processes in PeopleSoft HCM ensuring proper allocation and classification in the general ledger
• Review payroll journals and benefit allocations to ensure proper account coding.
• Prepare manual cost transfers, as needed.
• Analyze budget-to-actual variances and research unusual fluctuations.
• Perform advanced accounting activities and analyses, including the preparation of complex JEs, in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Ensure adherence to established internal controls, university policies, and related procedures
• Serve as a resource to other accounting staff with respect to reconciliations, JEs, and the preparation of financial statements and reports.
• Provide financial summaries to management and department leaders.
• Evaluate existing accounting processes and identify opportunities for increased efficiency and improved accuracy

Compliance and Monitoring:

• Analyze moderately complex financial statements and reports ensuring compliance with university policies, procedures, and accounting standards.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations across university departments.
• Assess financial controls and recommend improvements to minimize risk.
• Track compliance deadlines for financial reporting and audits.
• Review aging reports and other balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare trend analysis reports for management
• Prepare required compliance reporting for Financial Aid.
• Assist with preparation of reports required by governmental agencies and university leadership.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when working with payroll data.

Month-End and Year-End Close:

• Year-End Close: Assist the Director of Accounting with fiscal year-end close processes, including the preparation of financial statements and backup documentation, account analysis, schedules, and footnote disclosures.
• Review G/L activity for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure all year-end accruals and adjusting entries are recorded in the appropriate accounting period.
• Coordinate close activities across departments to ensure timely completion. Coach staff on year-end requirements, routine department processes, software including PeopleSoft, Excel, and Jira, and monthly deadlines. Update close schedules.
• Identify inefficiencies in the close process and recommend improvements to reduce close-cycle timelines. Reduce manual processes through automation and system enhancements.
• Prepare management reports highlighting significant financial issues.
• Audits: Support internal and external audits as necessary, providing required documentation and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Research and resolve issues identified during the audit process.
• Assist with the implementation of audit recommendations or action items.

Collaboration and Process Improvement:

• Partner with Payroll, Human Resources, Financial Aid, and other departments to ensure accounting processes align with institutional policies.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows and ensure best practices are followed. Provide documented guidance on university accounting policies and procedures.
• Identify root causes of recurring accounting issues and research solutions.
• Partner with IT to test dashboard or system changes and validate financial reporting outputs.
• Prepare responses to high priority reporting requests.
• Serve as a key participant in monthly and/or quarterly business financial reviews.
• Collaborate with the Director of Accounting on special projects and tasks, as needed. Other accounting duties as assigned.
• Perform backup duties when other accounting staff are out of the office.
• Partner with Payroll to reconcile payroll expenses and funding allocations.
• Support departments with budget planning activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources or related field or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• 5 years of professional experience in payroll accounting, general accounting, or a similar role, preferably in higher education or a large organization. Strong knowledge of general accounting principles, including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., PeopleSoft) and accounting software.
• Proven track record of maintaining confidentiality when working with sensitive or restricted information.
• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical skills. Proficiency in Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate across departments.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with fund accounting or accounting in higher education.
• Experience with Financial Aid compliance, tracking, and reporting.
• Familiarity with payroll processing.

Special Instructions to Applicants


At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Minimum Number of References
2


Maximum Number of References
4