Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

The Senior Accountant provides critical technical expertise in accounting and financial reporting. This role ensures the integrity of the College's financial records and supports compliance, audit readiness, and informed decision-making through accurate and consistent financial data. The Senior Accountant is responsible for general ledger accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, and audit support for Zane State College. This role ensures the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of the College's financial records. The position operates as a highly skilled individual contributor, providing technical accounting expertise and supporting the overall financial reporting framework of the institution. The Senior Accountant plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with accounting standards and supporting internal and external reporting requirements. This role works closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Senior Director of Fund Accounting and Budget (SDFAB), and Senior Director of Finance & Business Operations to ensure alignment between financial activity, reporting, and budget structure. Hiring Range - 61,500.00 - $70,250.00

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Ledger Management

• Maintain and oversee the integrity of the general ledger within Jenzabar One
• Ensure accurate recording and classification of financial transactions
• Review and post journal entries as needed
• Monitor account activity and resolve discrepancies

Account Reconciliations

• Perform and review reconciliations for ALL balance sheet accounts to ensure every account is understood, supported, and signed off. This includes but is not limited to: cash and bank accounts, receivables and payables-related balances, restricted and designated funds, accounts receivable balances — while AR accounts are managed day-to-day by the Bursar and SDFBO, the Senior Accountant reviews and finalizes the reconciliation to ensure accuracy and completeness in the general ledger, fixed assets (see Fixed Asset Management below), prepaid expenses, deferred revenue, and other accrual accounts
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner
• Ensure all reconciliations are documented and maintained

Financial Reporting

• Prepare internal financial reports and supporting schedules
• Assist in the preparation of financial statements
• Support reporting needs for leadership, departments, and external stakeholders
• Ensure consistency and accuracy in financial data
• Prepare financial data and schedules to support year-end reporting and external compliance submissions (e.g., Auditor of State reporting), in coordination with the Senior Director of Fund Accounting and Budget (SDFAB)

Audit Support and Compliance

• Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors
• Prepare audit schedules, documentation, and supporting materials
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and institutional policies
• Assist in implementing audit recommendations as needed

Journal Entries and Adjustments

• Coordinate and oversee journal entries across all functional areas. Given the volume and breadth of entries required, each functional department is responsible for initiating and owning the journal entries related to their area of operations. The Senior Accountant reviews, checks, and reconciles all entries to ensure accuracy and proper GL classification. This includes month-end and year-end adjustments, payroll-related entries from ADP into Jenzabar One, allocation and accrual entries
• Ensure all entries are properly documented and approved

Financial Aid Reconciliation

• Financial Aid holds primary ownership of the monthly financial aid reconciliation and is responsible for initiating and completing that process
• The Senior Accountant reconciles financial aid activity to the general ledger, ensuring that aid postings are accurately reflected in the GL and that no discrepancies exist between Financial Aid records and institutional financial data

Fixed Asset Management

• Fixed assets remain under the ownership of the Senior Accountant within the general ledger
• When the College acquires an asset, the Senior Accountant records the addition directly in the GL — debiting Fixed Assets and crediting the appropriate income statement account. All entries must run through the general ledger; the College does not rely on third-party accountants or external preparers to make entries outside of Jenzabar One
• Assets are depreciated in accordance with the College's depreciation schedule; the Senior Accountant records depreciation entries and maintains the fixed asset schedule

Coordination with Budget and Operations

• Work closely with the Senior Director of Fund Accounting and Budget (SDFAB) to: align budget data with actual financial activity, support accurate reporting of budget-to-actual performance
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Finance & Business Operations to: ensure operational transactions are recorded accurately, address discrepancies between operational activity and financial records

Process Documentation and Standardization

• Support development and maintenance of accounting processes and procedures
• Ensure documentation of key workflows related to financial reporting and reconciliations
• Promote consistency in accounting practices

System Oversight and Data Integrity

• Maintain working knowledge of Jenzabar One financial system
• Ensure data integrity within the general ledger
• Support system improvements related to accounting and reporting

Transition and Knowledge Transfer

• Document existing accounting processes and procedures
• Support knowledge transfer during transition and onboarding of future staff
• Provide guidance as needed during transition of responsibilities

Culture of Respect

• Demonstrate and promote respect for the dignity, perspectives, and contributions of all individuals, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Create and sustain an inclusive and equitable divisional climate that values diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, and viewpoints.
• Address conflict, misconduct, and concerns in a fair, transparent, and timely manner consistent with college policies and values.
• Actively teach, model, and reinforce the Three R's — Respect, Responsiveness, and Responsibility — to influence the development of professional behaviors among faculty, staff, and students.
• Uphold the College's non-discrimination and equal opportunity commitments in all decisions.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field; master's degree in accounting preferred
• Experience in higher education or public sector preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

Competency Area - Description

Technical Accounting Skills - Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting. Experience with general ledger accounting and reconciliations. Superior efficiency with Microsoft Office Excel, Pivot Tables, and other financial and analytical tools.

Communication - Superior written and oral communication skills. Ability to draft polished, error-free professional documents, meeting minutes, and executive-level correspondence.

Organization - Attention to detail and strong analytical skills. Exceptional ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple projects, calendars, and deadlines in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

Discretion - Sound judgment in handling highly sensitive, confidential, and politically nuanced information with absolute discretion.

Collaboration - Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the institution and with external community partners and stakeholders.

Compliance and Regulatory Acumen - Must stay updated on federal and state regulations, tax laws, and accounting standards to ensure all financial operations comply with legal requirements. This includes preparing documentation for audits and assisting with tax filings

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions Work is performed primarily in a professional office setting within the Business Office. The position requires the ability to sit for extended periods, use a computer and standard office equipment, and communicate effectively in person and by telephone. Occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds may be required for event setup and office operations. Occasional evening and weekend hours are required for Board of Trustees meetings, special projects, and other institutional functions.

Employment and Benefits

EEOC Statement

Zane State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status (past, present or future), disability, age (40 years or older), status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after