Senior Accountant

Posting Details

Position Information


Position Title
Senior Accountant


Division
Business and Finance


Department
General Accounting and Financial Reporting


Number of hours per week
37.5


Days to be worked
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday


Months per year
Fiscal (12 months)


If modified, list months

Job Type
Full-Time


Campus
Main Campus


If other location, please indicate

Position Number
000680


Advertised Salary
Commensurate with education and experience


Pay Basis
Monthly


Job Description

Tennessee State University Office of Accounting and Financial Reporting invites applications for the position of Senior Accountant .

The Senior Accountant supports the University's cash management activities, banking transactions, payment processes, and related accounting functions. This position monitors cash activity, supports liquidity needs, coordinates banking and payment activity, researches discrepancies, and helps ensure transactions are accurate, timely, properly documented, and aligned with internal control requirements.

This role works closely with university departments, banking partners, payroll, accounts payable, the Foundation, and General Accounting to support effective cash operations and accurate financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Cash Management

• Monitor daily cash activity, account balances, cash inflows, cash outflows, and liquidity needs to support University operations.
• Coordinate transfers between accounts, including University/Foundation activity, payroll-related transfers, LGIP activity, and Zero Balance Account funding.
• Track activity to support cash visibility, timely recording, and appropriate funding of operational needs.

Payment Processing and Banking Activity

• Prepare and process payment-related activity, including checks, ACH transactions, direct deposits, payment voids, returned transactions, payroll direct deposit advices, and payroll beneficiary payments.
• Prepare and upload banking files in accordance with established procedures, approval workflows, and internal control requirements.
• Serve as an operational contact for banking partners and internal departments regarding banking activity, deposits, payments, transfers, and related issues.

Accounting, Reconciliation Support, and Reporting

• Prepare and record accounting entries in Banner, including bank activity, deposits, cash transactions, investments, debt, payroll-related activity, and other assigned transactions.
• Support cash and bank reconciliation processes by researching outstanding items, resolving discrepancies, providing transaction support, and coordinating timely recording of related activity.
• Support monthly close, year-end close, reconciliation reporting, cash status reporting, and financial statement preparation by providing related documentation and analysis.

Risk Monitoring, Compliance, and Internal Controls

• Monitor payment activity for unusual transactions, duplicate payments, unauthorized ACH or wire activity, and other potential risks, escalating concerns as appropriate.
• Generate reports to identify errors, exceptions, or out-of-balance conditions, and coordinate timely resolution of identified issues.
• Manage assigned compliance processes, including unclaimed property activity, due diligence letters, escheatment support, and related inquiries.

Process Improvement and Team Support

• Provide guidance to junior accounting staff and assist with questions, transaction research, and issue resolution.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and internal controls.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental goals, operational needs, and University financial management objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field.
• Five years of experience in general accounting, public accounting, or a related accounting function.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, and other standard office software.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial transactions, research discrepancies, and resolve accounting or cash-related issues.
• Ability to work effectively with banking partners, internal departments, vendors, students, or other stakeholders to resolve payment or accounting issues.
• Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and internal control practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience with cash management, banking transactions, ACH activity, wire transfers, or payment processing.
• Experience using Banner or a similar enterprise resource planning system.
• Experience in higher education, governmental accounting, nonprofit accounting, or fund accounting.

Special Instructions to Applicants


Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University.

Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.

An unofficial transcript may be attached in the "Transcript" section.

You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.

Open Date
05/19/2026


Close Date
06/02/2026


Job Category
Administrative/Professional


Requisition Number

Benefits


Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.

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