Financial Accounting Data Specialist

Financial Accounting Data Specialist

Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today.

Augusta University's distinct characteristics in education and research include real-world experiences and community engagement, as well as a culture of building community, corporate and government partnerships that address health, security, economic and societal concerns locally and across the state. The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.

Augusta University Our Health Sciences Campus: 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912 Our Summerville Campus: 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904

The Controller's Division Missions are: Account for all financial resources and provide advice to administrators, faculty, and students to support the University's overall mission of instruction, research, and healthcare services; Manage the investment of all University funds to ensure maximization return on investments; Receive and deposit all funds due to the University in a timely manner; Ensure compliance with both internal and external regulations, policies and procedures; Maintain and process the University payroll, accounts payable, and travel disbursements efficiently, accurately, and timely; Prepare financial and statistical information to the University management, federal and state agencies, and other interested parties; Maintain the University's accounting and financial reporting systems.

The Financial Accounting Data Specialist serves as a technical expert within Financial Accounting and Reporting, responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining advanced financial reporting and analytics solutions. This role supports the institutions financial reporting functions by integrating and analyzing complex data across enterprise systems to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with GAAP, GASB, and regulatory requirements. The position focuses on enhancing financial reporting capabilities through data modeling, automation, and business intelligence tools, while providing meaningful insights to finance leadership. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this role plays a key part in strengthening data governance, improving reporting efficiency, and ensuring the integrity and reliability of financial data used for institutional and external reporting.

The duties include, but are not limited to: Financial Reporting & Analysis Lead the preparation, analysis, and distribution of recurring financial reports (e.g., monthly, quarterly, and annual) for department, university leadership, and state reporting. Support and enhance the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and applicable higher education reporting standards. Design, develop, and maintain complex financial reports, dashboards, and data visualizations using business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or similar) to support financial reporting, improve data accessibility, and communicate trends, variances, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Perform detailed financial analysis, including trend and variance analysis, to support accurate and timely financial reporting and explain fluctuations in revenues, expenses, and fund balances. Respond to complex and high-level ad hoc reporting requests. Extract, validate, and reconcile data information from multiple systems (finance, HR, Banner, etc.) to support comprehensive financial reporting. Ensure alignment between reporting outputs and official financial records and systems of record. Analyze large and complex datasets to identify trends, discrepancies, and data quality issues; communicate findings to finance leadership. Partner with leaders within the department to define reporting needs and deliver actionable insights. System & Process Improvement Design, develop, and implement new financial, operational, and ad hoc reports to support evolving business needs. Gather and analyze requirements to ensure new reports deliver actionable insights and meet functional and analytical objectives. Test and validate new reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to deployment. Create documentation and deliver training to promote proper usage and understanding of reports across the organization. Support and improve ERP reporting functionality, including system testing and optimization aligned with financial reporting needs. Enhance reporting automation and data accuracy through system optimization and process improvements. Collaborate with cross functional teams to ensure data integrity and consistency across reporting platforms. Document and maintain reporting procedures, data definitions, and standards to ensure consistency and compliance. Identify opportunities to improve reporting efficiency and reduce manual processes across financial reporting functions. Compliance & Audit Support Support internal and external audits by providing detailed data analysis, documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries. Ensure all reporting processes align with GAAP, institutional policies, and applicable state and federal regulations. Other duties Assist with other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial reporting, or related functions, including experience working with large, complex datasets across multiple systems.

Knowledge of higher education financial regulations and reporting standards (IPEDS, NACUBO, GASB). Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., nVision) a plus. Knowledge of higher education financial regulations and reporting standards (IPEDS, NACUBO, GASB). Experience in financial reporting, accounting, or data analytics. Advanced proficiency in business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau). Experience with data querying and manipulation (e.g., SQL).

Strong understanding of accounting principles (GAAP) and fund accounting, with the ability to apply concepts within complex financial reporting environments. Proficiency with financial systems and reporting tools (e.g., Workday, Banner, Oracle, PeopleSoft, or similar ERP), including extracting, analyzing, and reconciling data across multiple systems; experience with business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is preferred. Advanced Excel skills and ability to work with large datasets to develop complex reports, dashboards, and meaningful financial insights. Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to identify trends, discrepancies, and data quality issues, and clearly convey findings to leadership. Proficient in MS Office (especially Excel) Understanding of fund accounting and reporting requirements Working knowledge of databases, operating systems and spreadsheets. Good verbal, written, hearing and memory skills to communicate and train staff members. Manual dexterity to work on computers. Detail-oriented Excellent analytical skills and ability to solve problems Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

Shift: Days/M-F (work outside of the normal business hours will likely be required of an employee in an exempt level position) Pay Band: 12 Salary: Minimum $62,300.00/Annually Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position Recruitment Period: 4/29/26 - Until Filled Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University. If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage. Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle. For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation. All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive [patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.] information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.

This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. "Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success." Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.