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Pitzer College · 2 months ago

Accounting Operations Specialist

McConnell Center

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid Level

$72K/yr - $78K/yr

3+ years exp

Pitzer College is a higher education institution located in Claremont, CA, seeking an Accounting Operations Specialist. The role involves leading various accounting and financial operations, ensuring compliance, and managing procurement card administration while collaborating with multiple departments within the college.

Education

Responsibilities

Ensure correct worktags and accounting classifications on all Workday transactions, reviewing the system monthly to identify and correct errors

Prepare and review journal entries, supplier invoices, reconciliations, and account analyses to ensure accuracy and compliance with College policies

Assist with year-end closing processes and provide support for annual financial statements, audit and tax schedules, including preparation of 990 support schedules and coordination with key department stakeholders to obtain required information

Prepare annual account reconciliations as assigned and lead year-end community communications for finance deadlines. Complete year-end tasks and schedules as assigned, which may include, but are not limited to:

Reconcile grant and gift accounts

Reconcile balance sheet ledger accounts

Analyze deferred revenue accounts

Partner with the Finance Coordinator to ensure all outstanding P-card transactions are accounted for

Demonstrate proficiency in navigating the trial balance, general ledger detail, financial statements, and other accounting reports to reconcile balances and provide accurate information to department staff. Maintain a broad understanding of accounting practices across College departments and subsidiary activities and track separately invested funds for the College

Serve as the College P-card administration lead, managing the P-card system, cardholders, credit limits, and overall system operations

Train the College community on P-card policies and Workday expense recording, and lead communications when policies are not adhered to

Maintain and update the P-card audit process and review College P-card policies to recommend revisions to the supervisor as needed to ensure compliance and improve processes

Serve as the College’s primary contact for grant and gift accounting, reconciliations and reporting

Lead the College’s gift reconciliation process in partnership with the Advancement department, serving as the lead partner for coordination and accuracy. Maintain and update the shared monthly gift reconciliation process, review gift balances, ensure departments are aware of available funding, prevent overspending, and collaborate with Advancement for reporting

Perform grant accounting and reporting activity for the College as needed. Activities may include:

Assist in preparation of grant proposal budgets

Review and report on grant expenditures for propriety against grant budgets

Work independently with the College’s Sponsored Research Office, Principal Investigators and the consortium’s Financial Services Office to resolve grant budgeting and accounting issues

Monitor compliance requirements for private, state and federal grants and prepare periodic grant activity reports

Prepare grant invoices and monitor that grant payments are received and properly credited against receivable

Prepare annual deferred revenue and unexpended receivables journal entries for year-end closing

Serve as the College’s liaison with the TCCS accountant for questions related to study abroad expense accounting, grant accounting, reconciliations, and reporting

Assist the Budget and Finance Analyst in interpreting departmental financial reports, monitoring revenue and expense activity, and flagging unusual trends or discrepancies

Lead process improvement initiatives related to financial operations and Workday procedures, maintaining and updating job aids, guides, and training materials for College staff

Collaborate with team members to research and respond to accounting and financial operations questions from the Pitzer community. Provide guidance and training for employees on financial procedures, P-card policies, grant or gift management, and use of the College’s financial system

Collaborate with Finance Coordinator to provide customer service by assisting departments with accounting and financial questions. Review transactions for accurate accounting classification and supporting documentation in accordance with Pitzer policies. Possess strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and offer sound direction to organization leaders regarding accounting policies

Provide back up support for the Finance Coordinator, as needed, including preparing weekly, monthly, and quarterly journal entries

Provide essential, detail-oriented support to team members in preparation for College Board meetings, ensuring financial information and analyses are accurate and ready for review

Lead completion of College-wide surveys in partnership with the Institutional Research department, ensuring accurate data collection and timely submission

Perform other essential duties and tasks as assigned

Qualification

General accounting knowledgeWorkday proficiencyGrant accountingMicrosoft ExcelFinancial reportingAnalytical skillsCustomer serviceProblem-solving skillsCommunication skillsConfidentiality

Required

Demonstrate the ability to learn and effectively use various information systems required for the position

Apply proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, including the ability to construct and maintain complex Excel spreadsheets. Familiarity with Microsoft PowerPoint and Access

Proven general accounting knowledge and experience in performing accounting analyses, account reconciliations, and financial reporting

Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills; identify and resolve problems in a timely manner by gathering and analyzing information skillfully. Ability to anticipate needs and consider all stakeholders

Proven ability to provide strong customer service and communicate financial concepts clearly to non-financial individuals, working effectively and congenially with a diverse community of faculty, staff and students

Maintain confidentiality, remain open to others' ideas, demonstrate a willingness to try new things, and exhibit maturity and composure in dealing with difficult situations

Demonstrate professionalism in interactions, decision making, and presentation of work

Ability to instruct others in use of the College's information systems

Strong verbal and written communication skills in English. Writes with attention to spelling, grammar, accuracy and the needs of the target audience; presents numerical data effectively; and articulates a compelling message

Adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands and deal with frequent change, interruptions, delays or unexpected events with professionalism and composure

Ability to prioritize tasks, use time efficiently, manage multiple responsibilities to meet expectations and deadlines, maintain organized work practices and coordinate meetings and responsibilities effectively

A bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field; or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities

Must have three to five years of detailed, technical and general accounting or finance experience, preferably in a not-for-profit or higher education setting