Inside Higher Ed · 1 month ago
Student Government Association Accountant
Saratoga Springs, NY
Full-time
Onsite
New Grad, Entry Level
$24/hr - $26/hrInside Higher Ed is seeking a Student Government Association Accountant to oversee the SGA’s student activity funds, ensuring accurate budgeting, accounting, and reporting. This role will train and advise student leaders on financial policies while coordinating the annual budget process and maintaining financial records for the organization.
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Responsibilities
Maintain SGA financial records and reporting. Develop, safeguard, and keep accounting records current for ~130 accounts; summarize, analyze, and report transactions for leaders who need them. Ensure records are accurate, complete, secure, and accessible
Run accounts payable/receivable. Verify requests against SGA policy, manage deposits and distributions, and handle required banking and regulatory reporting. Process check requests bi-weekly and confirm supporting documentation and budget availability
Reconcile and resolve banking issues. Reconcile SGA checking/credit accounts monthly and quarterly; investigate and clear missing or outstanding charges. When needed, arrange approved fund transfers with financial institutions
Lead annual SGA budget planning and development. Coordinate the process, review club/committee proposals for appropriateness, and guide revisions. Advise the VP for Financial Affairs (VPFA) and Budget & Finance (B&F) Committee, and facilitate Senate review and approval
Advise and train student leaders. Meet with SGA and club leaders on budgeting, policy compliance, contracts, programming, and problem-solving. Deliver recurring workshops each semester (budgeting, finance) and topic-specific sessions as needed
Serve as primary advisor to Vice President for Finance and Administration and Budget & Finance Committee. Meet regularly to review/approve expenditures, discuss financial policies, investments, forecasts, and fund requests; advise on additional-expense requests (up to $1,000) as defined. Provide data-driven recommendations to support sound decisions
Develop and refine SGA financial policies and procedures. Research best practices, draft updates, align with College policies, and implement Senate-approved changes; improve clarity and usability of policy materials. Communicate changes to stakeholders and address feedback
Prepare for and support audits. Maintain audit-ready documentation and coordinate with Financial Services during bi-annual reviews of SGA financial practices. Respond to audit questions and provide required reports
Select, train, and supervise student workers. Hire and coach two student employees and manage their payroll on time. Provide day-to-day direction while balancing other office priorities
Coordinate across OLA/SGA and perform related duties. Meet with SGA Executive officers and OLA staff to review expenses, policies, forecasts, and fund criteria; participate in OLA projects and provide coverage for major events. Serve as a Notary Public for the campus community (if certified)
Qualification
Required
Associate's degree in Social Sciences, Communication, Education, or Accounting with equivalent experience
Hands-on accounting and bookkeeping experience in a higher-education or related/non-profit environment
Strong communication (interpersonal and written); able to explain policies, present ideas, and communicate tactfully with students, staff, and vendors
Critical thinking, quantitative literacy, analysis, and problem solving to interpret financial data and advise on decisions
Ability to work independently, make sound judgments, and manage competing priorities with excellent planning, organization, time management, and multi-tasking
Ability to persuade/influence and, when needed, say no—using tact, diplomacy, patience, and persistence—while enforcing policy and maintaining the integrity of processes
Skills to gain and give information: active listening, questioning for clarification, and presenting options during advising, trainings, and workshops
Ability to teach and advise college-age students; adapt teaching styles (directing, mentoring, coaching, facilitating)
Leadership and supervisory ability to select, train, motivate, and oversee student workers
Working knowledge of accounting, bookkeeping, budget planning/development; high attention to detail and confidentiality
Technology: proficiency with accounting software, preferably QuickBooks; ability to produce accurate, user-friendly accounting reports
On-line application
Cover Letter
Resume
List of Three References
Preferred
Bachelor's degree preferred in one of these areas
Prior experience advising college-age students on leadership and/or financial management is preferred
Company
Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed is the online source for news, opinion, and jobs related to higher education.
Founded in 2004
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
unknown2022-01-10Acquired
2006-08-31Series Unknown
Leadership Team
Stephanie Shweiki
Director, Foundation Partnerships
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