Senior Accountant

Job Description

Who we are

Kairos University cultivates educational and clinical mental health pathways that are affordable, accessible, relevant, and faithful to the way of Jesus. Our practices shape the Kairos community and the individuals within it while our pathways and platforms create unique and life-giving opportunities for students, clients, partners, mentors, and colleagues.

Our community values nurturing people, creating meaningful experiences, stewarding collaborative platforms, ongoing innovation, theological hospitality, and collective governance. We seek team members who are committed to humility, collaboration, servant leadership, continuous improvement, and supporting the flourishing of others in their vocations.

Kairos University is seeking a part-time Senior Accountant to provide leadership for the university’s accounting and financial reporting functions while partnering closely with university leadership to ensure accurate financial information, strong internal controls, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. This position is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the general ledger, preparing monthly and annual financial statements, supporting the annual audit, assisting with budgeting and forecasting, and providing technical accounting expertise for a growing, mission-driven institution.

Because much of our administrative team works remotely across multiple locations, success in this role requires exceptional communication skills, strong technological aptitude, self-direction, innovation, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a virtual environment.

The ideal candidate brings significant nonprofit accounting experience, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work independently while serving as a trusted financial partner to university leadership. The successful candidate will also demonstrate an innovative mindset, helping identify opportunities to improve financial processes, strengthen internal controls, and leverage technology and AI-assisted tools to increase efficiency.

Job Requirements

The Senior Accountant provides leadership for the university’s accounting and financial reporting functions while partnering closely with university leadership to ensure accurate financial information, strong internal controls, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. This position is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the general ledger, preparing monthly and annual financial statements, supporting the annual audit, assisting with budgeting and forecasting, and providing technical accounting expertise for a growing, mission-driven institution.
The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional technical accounting knowledge, sound professional judgment, and an innovative mindset that seeks opportunities to improve financial processes, strengthen internal controls, and leverage technology and AI-assisted tools to increase efficiency. Success in this role also requires a strong commitment to collaboration, communication, and supporting a distributed team environment.
Key Responsibilities
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Maintain the integrity of the university’s general ledger through review of journal entries, reconciliations, and financial analysis.
• Perform account reconciliations and ensure timely month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare and review adjusting journal entries, accruals, allocations, and other accounting transactions.
• Analyze financial results and investigate significant variances.
• Assist with annual budget preparation, forecasting, and financial modeling.
• Coordinate and prepare schedules supporting the annual financial statement audit and other compliance audits.
• Prepare audit workpapers and respond to auditor requests.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, donor restrictions, and applicable federal and state reporting requirements.
• Support accounting for grants, endowments, investments, and other complex nonprofit transactions.
• Review accounting processes and recommend improvements to strengthen internal controls and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with university leadership to provide financial information that supports sound decision-making.
• Utilize accounting software, reporting tools, AI-assisted technologies, and digital collaboration platforms efficiently and responsibly.
• Support special projects and other responsibilities that contribute to the financial health and operational effectiveness of the university.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting preferred.
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred; an inactive or lapsed CPA license will be considered.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible accounting experience preferred.
• Significant experience preparing GAAP financial statements.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting required.
• Experience in nonprofit higher education, colleges, universities, seminaries, or faith-based organizations strongly preferred.
• Experience working with annual financial statement audits and external auditors.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, and month-end/year-end close processes.
• Experience with fund accounting, restricted gifts, grants, endowments, and investment accounting preferred.
• Experience with Sage Intacct or similar cloud-based ERP systems strongly preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit financial statement presentation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to research and apply accounting guidance.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience developing efficient accounting processes and strong internal controls.
• Comfort learning and utilizing emerging technologies, automation, and AI-assisted tools.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound professional judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining excellent communication with a distributed team.
• Commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.
• Humility, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit aligned with the mission and values of Kairos University.
• Commitment to serving students, faculty, staff, and partners with integrity, respect, and care.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested candidates should submit the following materials:
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three Professional References
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will remain open until the position is filled.