Accounting Mananger

Howard University•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing key financial operations related to accruals, prepaid expenses, and expense management. This role ensures that all expense-related accounts are properly recorded, reconciled, and reported in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and institutional policies. The position is critical to maintaining financial accuracy, supporting audit readiness, and providing insights into expense and liability management across academic and administrative departments within the University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting (master’s degree or CPA preferred).
5+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a focus on accruals, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, and capital project accounting.
Experience in higher education or non-profit accounting is highly preferred.
Strong knowledge of GAAP, including fixed asset capitalization and accrual accounting.
Proficiency with accounting software and ERP systems (experience with Workday is a plus).
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
Strong knowledge of GAAP, including accrual accounting and expense recognition
High attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage multiple deadlines during close and audit cycles
Effective cross-functional communication and collaboration
Proficiency in financial systems and ERP platforms (Workday preferred)
Strong Excel and data analysis capabilities
Sound judgment in interpreting accounting policies and transactions

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or CPA preferred.
Experience with Workday is a plus.

Responsibilities

Ensure the accurate and timely recording of accruals, including operational, academic, and capital project-related expenses.
Review monthly accrual entries, reconcile accrued liabilities, and ensure they comply with institutional policies and GAAP.
Collaborate with department heads to gather data on expenses and anticipated costs for projects and programs, ensuring accurate financial reporting.
Maintain detailed schedules and reconciliations of accruals, ensuring appropriate documentation for internal controls and audit reviews.
Supervise the institutional expense reporting processes, ensuring that all expenses are processed and recorded in accordance with GAAP.
Review and approve expense-related transactions, including vendor payments, travel expenses, and employee reimbursements, ensuring accurate coding to the proper accounts, departments, and funds.
Analyze and report on variances in expense accounts and provide actionable insights to department leaders for budgetary control and financial planning.
Ensure compliance with the institution’s procurement policies and maintain oversight of accounts payable processing.
Manage the prepaid expense accounts, including reviewing and processing all prepaid transactions.
Maintain detailed schedules of prepaid expenses and ensure the proper allocation of costs over the appropriate periods.
Perform monthly reconciliations of prepaid accounts and ensure that all transactions are accurately reflected in the general ledger.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports focused on accruals and expense activities, ensuring they are accurate and in line with budget expectations.
Assist in the preparation of financial statements, focusing on the expense and liability sections.
Provide variance analysis and reconciliations of accrual and expense accounts as part of the financial close process.
Ensure strong internal controls are in place for accruals and expenses, mitigating the risk of misstatements, errors, and fraud.
Oversee compliance with institutional, federal, and state regulations related to expense reporting, vendor management, and accrual accounting.
Provide support during internal and external audits by preparing schedules, reconciliations, and explanations related to accruals and expenses.
Work closely with academic departments, and project managers to provide financial guidance on capital projects and asset acquisitions.
Assist senior management with budget preparation and forecasting for capital projects and fixed asset acquisitions.
Provide financial analysis and support to various institutional departments as needed, particularly around capital projects, asset management, and expense.