Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant PositionThe 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 - $70,250.00Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesGeneral Ledger ManagementMaintain and oversee the integrity of the general ledger within Jenzabar OneEnsure accurate recording and classification of financial transactionsReview and post journal entries as neededMonitor account activity and resolve discrepanciesAccount ReconciliationsPerform 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 accountsInvestigate and resolve reconciling items in a timely mannerEnsure all reconciliations are documented and maintainedFinancial ReportingPrepare internal financial reports and supporting schedulesAssist in the preparation of financial statementsSupport reporting needs for leadership, departments, and external stakeholdersEnsure consistency and accuracy in financial dataPrepare 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 ComplianceServe as a primary point of contact for external auditorsPrepare audit schedules, documentation, and supporting materialsEnsure compliance with applicable accounting standards and institutional policiesAssist in implementing audit recommendations as neededJournal Entries and AdjustmentsCoordinate 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 entriesEnsure all entries are properly documented and approvedFinancial Aid ReconciliationFinancial Aid holds primary ownership of the monthly financial aid reconciliation and is responsible for initiating and completing that processThe 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 dataFixed Asset ManagementFixed assets remain under the ownership of the Senior Accountant within the general ledgerWhen 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 OneAssets are depreciated in accordance with the College's depreciation schedule; the Senior Accountant records depreciation entries and maintains the fixed asset scheduleCoordination with Budget and OperationsWork 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 performanceCollaborate with the Senior Director of Finance & Business Operations to: ensure operational transactions are recorded accurately, address discrepancies between operational activity and financial recordsProcess Documentation and StandardizationSupport development and maintenance of accounting processes and proceduresEnsure documentation of key workflows related to financial reporting and reconciliationsPromote consistency in accounting practicesSystem Oversight and Data IntegrityMaintain working knowledge of Jenzabar One financial systemEnsure data integrity within the general ledgerSupport system improvements related to accounting and reportingTransition and Knowledge TransferDocument existing accounting processes and proceduresSupport knowledge transfer during transition and onboarding of future staffProvide guidance as needed during transition of responsibilitiesCulture of RespectDemonstrate 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.QualificationsPosition RequirementsBachelor's degree in accounting or related field; master's degree in accounting preferredExperience in higher education or public sector preferredRequired Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesThe successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:Competency Area - DescriptionTechnical 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 BenefitsEEOC StatementZane 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