Senior Accountant

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences•Yakima, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Accountant performs advanced professional accounting work in support of the University’s financial reporting and accounting operations. The position is responsible for complex general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, financial reporting support, fixed assets, grants and restricted funds, audit schedules, and other assigned accounting activities. The Senior Accountant works independently to research and resolve accounting issues, analyzes financial information for accuracy and reasonableness, and supports timely and accurate monthly and year-end close processes. The position serves as a key accounting resource to the Controller and provides guidance and backup support across Finance functions as needed. The Senior Accountant brings initiative, ownership, and consistent follow-through to the work, establishes credibility through high-quality and well-documented results, and builds trusting relationships across Finance and the University. The position shares technical knowledge generously with colleagues, seeks and applies feedback, and approaches complex, non-routine problems with curiosity and sound judgment, understanding that reliable financial information supports the students and communities PNWU serves.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
Four years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting.
An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.
Strong accounting knowledge, attention to detail, and analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently research, analyze, and resolve complex accounting issues.
Experience in financial systems and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms.
Experience preparing audit schedules and supporting external financial statement audits.
Sound professional judgment, integrity, and commitment to accuracy, with the ability to recognize unusual financial activity and communicate concerns appropriately.
Effective written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain accounting matters clearly to non-financial colleagues and to provide technical guidance to peers.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
Reliability, ownership, and follow-through, with a track record of delivering accurate work on recurring deadlines.
Ability to solve non-routine problems with curiosity and sound judgment, and to recognize when a matter should be escalated.
Ability to build trusting working relationships across Finance and with departments throughout the University.
Openness to feedback and a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Emotional intelligence and flexibility in navigating change, ambiguity, and differences in communication style and workstyle.
Ability to connect day-to-day financial work to PNWU’s mission and to the students and communities the University serves.
Commitment to documentation, internal controls, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship of University resources.

Responsibilities

Perform advanced general ledger accounting, including preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, allocations, and other financial adjustments.
Maintain assigned balance sheet and income statement accounts and ensure activity is accurate, complete, properly supported, and reconciled timely.
Participate in monthly and year-end close processes and assist the Controller in ensuring established close deadlines are met.
Assist with preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and supporting schedules.
Analyze account activity, financial results, and variances; research unusual or unexpected activity and recommend appropriate corrections.
Research and resolve complex accounting issues and document conclusions and supporting analysis.
Maintain appropriate documentation supporting financial transactions, reconciliations, and accounting conclusions.
Perform accounting and reconciliation activities for restricted and designated funds, grants, fixed assets, leases, debt, investments, and other assigned areas.
Maintain fixed asset records and related depreciation schedules and ensure additions, disposals, transfers, and construction activity are appropriately recorded.
Support grant and restricted-fund accounting, including review of activity for appropriate classification and compliance with applicable restrictions.
Assist with accounting for capital projects and ensure expenditures are appropriately classified in accordance with University capitalization policies.
Prepare and maintain assigned supporting schedules for significant balance sheet and financial statement accounts.
Prepare assigned schedules, reconciliations, workpapers, and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit and other audits or reviews.
Respond to auditor requests and assist with research and resolution of audit questions.
Assist with preparation of financial information supporting Form 990 and other regulatory or external reporting requirements.
Maintain accounting records and supporting documentation in accordance with University policies, internal control requirements, and applicable record-retention standards.
Identify accounting errors, unusual transactions, control concerns, or other financial issues and communicate them promptly to the Controller.
Perform financial analysis and prepare reports to support Finance and University decision-making.
Analyze trends and account activity and assist with explanations of significant financial statement variances.
Provide actual financial information and accounting support to the Director of Budget & Financial Planning for budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
Assist University departments with accounting questions, account research, transaction coding, and interpretation of financial information, communicating clearly and patiently with non-financial colleagues.
Prepare ad hoc financial reports and analyses as requested.
Maintain proficiency in the University’s financial systems and related reporting tools.
Participate in testing, implementation, and improvement of ERP, financial reporting, and other systems affecting accounting operations.
Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, documentation, reconciliations, and internal controls.
Assist with development and maintenance of accounting procedures and standardized work processes.
Support automation and transition from manual processes where appropriate while maintaining effective financial controls.
Serve as an accounting resource to other Finance team members, sharing knowledge generously and providing technical guidance as appropriate.
Provide backup support for critical accounting and Finance functions as assigned, and assist with cross-training and documentation of accounting procedures.
Work collaboratively with Accounts Payable, Payroll, Student Accounts, Budget & Financial Planning, and other University departments to resolve financial issues.
Take initiative and ownership for assigned work, follow through on commitments, and communicate early when a deadline or result is at risk.
Build trusting working relationships across Finance and with University departments, clarifying expectations and roles before and during shared work and including the right people in the right conversations.
Resolve differences constructively and with care, listening to understand others’ perspectives and engaging in honest dialogue when there is disagreement.
Actively seek and apply feedback, regularly ask whether the work is being done right, and pursue continuous learning and technical growth relevant to current and future responsibilities.
Connect daily work to PNWU’s mission of serving rural and medically underserved communities, understanding how accurate, well-stewarded financial information supports students and the University.
Performs job duties in accordance with safety, legal, and regulatory requirements; University policy and procedures; and accepted business practices.
Acts with the highest level of professional ethical standards in all aspects of job performance, in accordance with the mission and values of PNWU.
Understands and adheres to accreditation standards and expectations specific to the department.
Other duties as assigned