Senior Accountant

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The position is responsible for managing the accounting cycle for the University’s contribution (gift) revenue by completing timely reconciliations and analysis for gift clearing accounts and pledge accounts receivable. The position records accounting transactions for charitable remainder trusts and annuities. Additionally, the position is responsible for the setup and monitoring of the University’s internal grants, and serves as a backup with respect to fixed asset and plant accounting. The position supports the University’s annual audit, preparation of financial statement footnotes, and preparation of reports to support the University’s income taxes. This position also serves as a Finance liaison to Campus Ministry and Mission Church, School of Education and Counseling, and University Relations. The departments assigned may change over time.

Requirements

• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, Google Workspace, etc)
• Ability to analyze data and present in a meaningful format to facilitate decision making
• Experience with large ERP system such as Workday, PeopleSoft, or Oracle preferred
• Data query knowledge preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work well independently
• Strong speaking and presentation skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven problem-solving and analytical skills, including the ability to identify a problem, develop a solution, and implement that solution in cooperation with others or independently.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines as required.
• Strong customer service focus with an emphasis on outreach to departments; ability to listen and understand the unique needs of each department
• Possess a high degree of initiative, attention to detail, and follow-through, as well as the ability to adjust to changing requirements and priorities.
• Commitment to understand and willingness to support Santa Clara University’s distinctive Jesuit educational vision and institutional values of competence, conscience, and compassion in pursuit of its mission and goals
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, or Bachelor’s degree in another field, combined with a CPA or other rigorous accounting experience required
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in an accounting environment is required, or 4 years combined with a master’s degree in the above-noted fields.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with large ERP system such as Workday, PeopleSoft, or Oracle
• Data query knowledge

Responsibilities

• Manage the University’s gift revenue cycle and provide reconciliations for pledge receivables and reserve accounts.
• Reconcile cash gifts and pledges to the Gift Processing system (CLARA) and gift clearing accounts.
• Coordinate with the Development Office to resolve issues and improve business processes
• Analyze Development gift write-offs and impact to pledge reserves
• Reconcile online giving transactions
• Reconcile stock gifts monthly
• Ensure procedures and policy are developed and followed to ensure all non-cash gift transactions (e.g., securities, gifts-in-kind, split interest agreements, donated services) are recorded in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Reconcile and monitor gifts in holding funds to CLARA.
• Ensure gifts that may belong to an Endowment Fund are moved out of the holding fund before quarter close.
• Identify and coordinate with the Development office on incorrect integration setups between Workday ERP and CLARA subledger.
• Reconcile gift revenue reports from CLARA to the Workday general ledger.
• Use critical thinking to suggest improvements to the reports and work with technical staff to improve them.
• Prepare monthly gift summary schedules (‘President’s report’) as well as ad-hoc gift reporting as requested by constituents.
• Assist the Accounting Manager, Investments and Financial Reporting and Senior Investment and Financial Reporting Accountant with new gift fund setups within Workday ledger and supporting subledgers.
• Record quarterly accounting transactions based on reports from third-party servicer
• Record annual annuity liability adjustment and contribution adjustments for new annuities
• Serve as the Controller’s Office contact for administrative setup of new annuities, including transferring funds to third-party servicer in coordination with University Relations
• Account for donor-designated fund program
• Prepare annual annuity roll forward
• Analyze and propose the appropriate reserve and discount to apply to pledges receivable using multiple inputs.
• Create a journal entry and draft the related financial statement footnote.
• Review and coordinate auditor requests and collect supporting documentation
• Review gift-in-kind and art object donations every quarter to determine what to capitalize and what to expense.
• Prepare related journal entries.
• Prepare a summary of past due pledges on a quarterly basis to facilitate discussion with University Relations management
• Prepare financial statement footnotes schedules for “contributions receivable from related parties” and “concentration of credit risk”
• Prepare contribution-related schedules to support the tax return, specifically Schedule B and Schedule M
• Prepare other tax schedules as assigned
• Analyze data on a daily basis as needed to provide meaningful information to managers to support business decision-making.
• Process department journals (FTARs), ensuring compliance with accounting guidance and University procedures.
• Assist each department in their annual close process.
• Reconcile the security deposit liability account
• Other ad hoc analysis as required by departments or the University Finance Office.
• Serve as central finance liaison for the establishment of internal grant funds
• Review requests for internal grants from University departments, ensuring adherence to University guidelines concerning the nature and use of these funds
• Perform setup of new internal grant funds within the Workday ERP, including funding journal entries, ensuring requests for funding are compliant with University policies and adhere to budget guidelines and restrictions
• Perform close-out procedures with respect to internal grants, ensuring that expired grants are closed out on a timely basis, remaining funding is swept in accordance with University policy, and deficits are analyzed and remedied.
• Serve as back-up to the fixed asset accountant
• Serve as back-up to the accountant for system and administrative procedures with respect to fixed asset, project, and plant accounting
• Assists in the development of policy, as well as process and system procedures
• Performs accounting research, as necessary, to ensure the University's business assets and projects are properly accounted for with respect to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Prepares ad-hoc reports and analysis as requested by management
• Prepare financial management reports and year-end audit schedules as needed.
• Work with others to ensure related processes flow effectively and efficiently.
• Utilizing available technology, review policies and procedures, and propose changes to improve effectiveness in executing responsibilities.
• Continue to develop expertise with available technology
• Student staff supervision as needed
• Other tasks as assigned

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior