Accountant - Business Office

Join our team of difference makers•Azusa, CA

15d•$29 - $33

About The Position

APU seeks employees who desire to contribute to 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 edifying to God and one another. Under the direction of the Financial Accounting Manager, this position performs professional accounting work in the Finance Services of the Business Office. The Accountant examines financial documents for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established policies and procedures and general accounting standards; reconciles reports and financial data with financial statements on file; corrects and reconciles account balances to external data; prepares journal entries; resolves problems associated with incorrect entries, deviations from established procedures, and other inconsistencies with accounting principles; prepares routine financial reports; and provides input to the documentation and maintenance of business processes, standards and procedures. The ideal candidate will possess: an understanding of GAAP, integrated accounting systems and advanced knowledge of Excel; the ability to interpret and follow instructions and policy guidelines. The position also has a key role in closing the periods and supporting with the annual external audit.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in accounting or equivalent technical experience.
Three or more years of accounting experience, preferably in higher education.
General knowledge and understanding of GAAP, integrated accounting systems, and advanced knowledge of Excel.
Self-directed, highly motivated, multi-tasking accounting professional.
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.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and deadlines.
Ability to multi-task and handle confidential information.
Ability to develop and document procedures.
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.
A 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.
Intermittent sitting and standing, intermittent computer keyboard work.
Substantial repetitive motions with wrist, hand and/or fingers, speaking and active listening demands.
Ability to lift, pull, grasp, bend to lower file drawers and reach to top of 5-drawer file cabinet.
Computer monitor and reading.
Proficient in the use of Google Apps, Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SQL. Access, and Other Database Transfer software.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience in general ledger accounting (assets and liabilities) and fund accounting.
Proficiency in PeopleSoft 9.2 preferred.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibility for student-related activities, such as financial aid reconciliations, student loans (Direct, Alternative, other federal loan programs), student aid/account refunds, and student accounts receivable.
Performs professional accounting duties which involve establishing and maintaining accounting records, preparing and reviewing trial balances, and making adjusting and accrual entries.
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.
Runs interface processes, reviews and posts to general ledger 3rd party activity such as: Student refunds, and other banking files.
Will also import and export file data transfers through approved portals for 3rd party transactions: such as refunds, ECSI transactions and payment files if required.
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.
Identifies 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.
Supports with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings.
Prepares governmental reports to maintain compliance, like escheatment, stale dated check processing, and other 3rd party reporting similar to AOR Nursing data, etc.
Answers inquiries from administrators, staff, vendors, and students regarding account balances, codes, and accounting procedures and policies.
Assists campus staff in resolving discrepancies in their accounts.
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 users 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.
Back up team members, including banking transfers and cash reconciliations; performing cross trained duties when needed.