APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is pleasing to God and edifying to one another.

Under the direction of the Manager, Accounting and Financial Reporting this position performs professional accounting work in the Finance Services of the Business Office. The Senior Accountant will play a lead role in the month-end and year-end close process, banking, taxes, preparing and reviewing various monthly and annual financial reports, variance analyses, complex accounting and financial analyses and audit support. This position manages, directs and participates in financial record-keeping, reporting, accounting, and related auditing functions to assure accurate and timely accounting and reporting of grants and other restricted funds accordance with GAAP and GASB/FASB, federal, state, county and district requirements. This position manages tight deadlines and a multitude of activities including grants and sponsorship administration, reporting and analysis, annual audit and tax assistance, external reporting activities, and support of technical accounting activities.

Required Education

• BS or BA degree in Accounting, or equivalent work experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Required Experience

• At least 3 years accounting experience, preferably in higher education.
• General knowledge of GAAP, integrated accounting systems, and advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Preferred experience in treasury, investment, and tax accounting and fund accounting.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

• Provides financial information to management by researching and analyzing accounting data; preparing reports.
• Prepares asset, liability, and capital account entries by compiling and analyzing account information.
• Documents financial transactions by entering account information.
• Recommends financial actions by analyzing accounting options.
• Substantiates financial transactions by auditing documents.
• Maintains accounting controls by preparing and recommending policies and procedures.
• Guides accounting clerical staff by coordinating activities and answering questions.
• Reconciles financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing account information.
• Maintains financial security by following internal controls.
• Answers accounting procedure questions by researching and interpreting accounting policy and regulations.
• Trains and monitors team members on various accounting functions.
• Investigates financial variance issues.
• Prepares bank reconciliations and reviews data to ensure financial compliance.
• Coordinates and resolves various issues with bank such as check differences, bank fee anomalies, targeted balance calculations and online services.
• Monitors positive pay exceptions.
• Prepares various tax returns and filings of sales tax.
• Contributes to various tax filing preparation including property tax returns, 1099s, 1042, 972CG, DE 542s, Sales and Use Tax, CA 592, Unclaimed Property, and higher education filings.
• Ensures the month-end and year-end closes are completed timely and accurately.
• Complies with federal, state, and local financial legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions.
• Prepares and reviews periodic trial balances and reconciles them with the general ledger.
• Prepares journal vouchers and makes adjusting and closing entries.
• Reviews and posts general ledger transactions for accuracy, timeliness and adequacy of supporting documentation.
• Manage invoicing and develops and maintains tracking tools for research programs.
• Promote and continually assess compliance and risk management best practices in all aspects of operations.
• Creates tools and metrics to track and analyze implemented process improvements and ensures that program benchmarks are met and continually evaluated.
• Develops ad hoc reports and analyze for program and division leadership to support strategic planning for short- and long-term goals.
• Collaborates with PIs on monthly actuals to budget variation analysis and budget development questions.
• Serves as a resource for PIs and laboratory managers on reporting related to the budget and monthly performance.
• Proactively monitors, analyzes and reconciles financial activity ensuring expenditures are allowable, complete, accurate and appropriately identified and tracked.
• Performs impact analysis, informs and consults with the ORG on changes to regulations.
• Oversees final financial reporting obligation to sponsor and closeout in the general ledger upon award completion by ensuring all costs are recorded or accrued to the appropriate grant project general ledger account in accordance with GAAP and applicable grant terms, conditions and regulations.
• Analyzes cost transfer requests and grant budget reallocation requests according to applicable terms, conditions and regulations.
• Prepares and monitors Time & Effort Reports by analyzing payroll records, personnel action forms and cost shared effort for grant staff.
• Prepares governmental reports to maintain compliance.
• Prepares internal and external reports and surveys for the grant restricted funds including ad hoc reports as needed.
• Prepares pledge accruals.
• Approve expenditures within proposed and accepted scope of work, produce reports and work with PIs and other division management staff to ensure compliance.
• Proactively meets with the Director of Grants Management, PIs at multiple times throughout each project period to discuss fiscal compliance issues and financial management of restricted funds.
• Ensures compliance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Grants (2CFR Part 200), OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, A-133, and other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
• Updates grant accounting processes and coordinates potential policies and procedure adjustments as needed.
• Researches and develops resources/tools, and develops and provides training and other informational sessions to support the PIs and department staff with financial award management.
• Sets up new grant funds monitoring and tracks the status of each program through its program life cycle.
• Processes federal letter of credit drawdowns; prepares and submits associated quarterly reports i.e. DHH - Payment Management System.
• Oversees monthly and quarterly invoicing process for grants and other restricted funds.
• Coordinates internal quarterly audits and assists in facilitating internal and external audits of grant funds to fulfill the 2 CFR Part 200 internal control and other audit requirements.
• Reviews, calculates, and projects potential F&A cost recovery rate for budgetary purposes, prepares indirect cost proposals and assists in federal rate negotiation process as needed.
• Works closely with the Director of Grants Management in monitoring grant activity and reports any internal control weaknesses or non-compliance to the Director of Grants Management and supervisor.
• Supports pre-award effort with financial data and the routing process by reviewing and cross checking budget, calculating cost share and reviewing the sources identified for funding.
• Works with PIs and department staff to record all grant-funded and sponsor-leased equipment in an inventory system, performs tagging to all grant-funded and sponsor-leased equipment, processes any grant-related inventory/equipment transfers internally and externally, and works with the inventory control staff to perform a grant inventory survey every two years.
• Assists Advancement with administrating pledges.
• Assist with annual calculation of fringe benefits.
• Examines financial documents for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established policies and procedures and general accounting standards.
• Analyzes accounting data, identifies and determines causes of discrepancies, and recommends corrective and preventative measures.
• Corrects and reconciles account balances to external data; prepares journal entries; resolve problems associated with incorrect entries.
• Reconciles reports and financial data with financial statements on file. Conducts extensive financial data compilation, querying and drilling on large volumes of financial data.
• Identify actual or potential problems and recommend corrective action.
• Contributes to audit processes. Prepares, analyzes, and interprets financial reports and records.
• Ensures compliance with internal policies, agency rules and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Prepares governmental reports to maintain compliance.
• Answers inquiries from administrators, staff, vendors, and students regarding account balances, codes, and accounting procedures and policies.
• Provides financial data with explanations and interpretation as requested by management.
• Provides financial information for compliance reporting by other areas within the university.
• Provides internal accounting support to team members and departments within the university.
• Provides support to campus staff and other stakeholders, addressing questions and issues that relate to the finance accounting.
• Participates in the design and installation of financial systems upgrades and required testing and verification of results. Provides initial troubleshooting of financial system problems.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor and senior management.

Skills

• Must have excellent organizational, auditing, problem solving and oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills in meeting deadlines with attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

Mental Demands

• Ability to work under pressure and demonstrate confidence in exercising independent judgment and discretion.
• Motivated self-starter and able to work with very little supervision.
• Able to prioritize and multi-task various duties and projects for completion.
• High degree of confidence and integrity in the monitoring of accounting transactions.
• In agreement with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.

Physical Demands

• Intermittent sitting and standing.
• Requires keyboard and 10-key work.
• Hearing and speaking in person and on the telephone.
• Ability to lift, pull, grasp, reach, and stoop.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs occasionally.
• Must be able to climb stairs multiple times in a work day.

Visual Demands

• Reading, writing notes, and computer monitor.

Environment

• Pleasant office, comfortable temperature.

Technologies

• Good computer skills with Windows XP and Microsoft projects, including Word and Excel.
• Proficient in Google Apps.
• Experience with PeopleSoft and nVision preferred.

Compensation

• Grade 12: $30.67 to $39.87 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.