Senior Accountant - Business Office

Join our team of difference makers•Azusa, CA

15d•$33 - $38

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 Manager, Accounting and Financial Reporting, the Senior Accountant is responsible for the financial management, compliance, and reporting of all externally funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. This role serves as a critical gatekeeper, ensuring that grant expenditures adhere to institutional policies, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), and specific funding agency regulations. The Senior Accountant acts as a financial liaison to Principal Investigators (PIs), Department Administrators, Sponsored Program/Research Office staff, and external auditors, managing a diverse portfolio of restricted funds with a focus on audit readiness and fiscal integrity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (or equivalent work experience).
Four or more years of progressive experience in grant accounting, fund accounting, or sponsored programs financial management.
Comprehensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), GAAP, and grant management best practices.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial staff.
Strong organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail.
Agreement with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.
High degree of confidence and integrity in the monitoring of accounting transactions.
Intermittent sitting and standing; ability to lift/pull/reach/stoop and lift up to 20 lbs occasionally.
Must be able to climb stairs multiple times in a workday.
Ability to work under pressure, manage tight deadlines, and exercise independent judgment with minimal supervision.
Pleasant office setting with comfortable temperatures.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel (Pivot tables, VLOOKUP) and proficiency in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets).
Proficiency in large ERP/Financial integrated accounting systems (PeopleSoft preferred; Oracle, SAP, Workday, or Ellucian acceptable).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience within a higher education or non-profit environment is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Financial Management & General Ledger:
Account Setup: Setup and maintain separate accounts in the PeopleSoft Financial System to track grant funds, ensuring distinct separation from other organizational funds.
Transaction Review: Review and approve grant-related financial transactions (invoices, POs, payroll, journal entries) for accuracy, allowability, allocability, and adherence to budget limitations.
Reconciliation : Perform monthly reconciliations of grant-related accounts (accounts receivable, deferred revenue, and general ledger) to ensure accuracy.
Cash Management: Process drawdowns of funds from federal systems (e.g., Payment Management System - PMS) and non-federal sponsors to ensure timely cash receipts.
Closeout: Perform timely financial closeout procedures for expired grants, including reconciling final expenditures, submitting final reports, and closing project accounts.
Compliance & Reporting:
Regulatory Compliance : Ensure strict compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), OMB Circulars (A-21, A-110, A-133), and agency-specific terms and conditions.
Effort Reporting: Manage and reconcile effort reporting and salary allocations for personnel charged to grants, coordinating changes with Payroll and PIs.
External Reporting: Prepare and submit financial reports to sponsoring agencies (e.g., SF-425 Federal Financial Reports) as required by grant agreements.
Sub-Recipient Monitoring: Monitor financial activity of sub-awardees, including reviewing and processing sub-recipient invoices.
Audit & Process Improvement:
Audit Support: Serve as a key resource during internal reviews, external and Single audits (e.g., A-133/Single Audit), preparing detailed grant schedules, assembling compliant supporting documentation and ensuring accurate, timely and audit-ready responses that support federal, state and grantor requirements.
Internal Controls: Assist in developing and maintaining strong internal controls over the grant accounting lifecycle to safeguard assets.
Training & Liaison: Serve as a financial liaison to Principal Investigators and Administrators; develop resources and provide training on allowable costs and financial reporting.
Other: General Ledger Accounting: Review General Ledger journals and adjustments of support staff, review Business Office Intern staff assignments, assist in review of Staff Accountant reconciliations as assigned, including supporting general accounting reconciliations review.
Review monthly departmental office expenditures.
Set up month end calendars.
General office process management: make recommendations and review process documentation for updates and changes, in addition to new tasks for the office, coordinate new process development with accounting team for ongoing process improvement.
Submit data to Controller and Manager.
Team Cross Training and Support: Assist in developing and maintaining strong process development. Cross-training and providing support to team members on critical deadlines and backfill support on special group projects
Other management projects : Duties as assigned.