Senior Accountant

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Henry B. Tippie College of Business seeks a full-time Senior Accountant to provide finance and accounting support to selected college departments and programs. The role requires a high degree of discretion and independent judgment and supports the organization’s financial health by managing and approving financial records, preparing reports, analyzing budgets, and ensuring compliance with accounting principles and regulations. The position reports to the Associate Budget Officer, although reporting lines may change based on organizational needs. The Senior Accountant prepares monthly and annual budget reports, enters assigned budgets into the IPlan budgeting system, reconciles monthly account statements, and prepares specialized reports and financial information for multiple units. The role analyzes expenditures, revenues, transfers, and historical information; evaluates data and processing methods; and creates and manages workflows for transactions such as procurement, travel, and award payments. The position reviews and approves purchasing and travel transactions, initiates journal and expense-correction entries, processes accounting status changes for collegiate HR appointments, and handles certain gift-account transfers. It also supports compliance with accounting standards and University policies, maintains accounting procedure documentation, and provides guidance and training to faculty, staff, student employees, and new financial operations team members. This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa. A work arrangement form is required upon starting, and arrangements are reviewed annually and must comply with applicable University remote-work and travel policies. The specific hybrid schedule will be discussed during interviews.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Typically 1–3 years of accounting, financial administration, or related experience, including account reconciliation, financial reporting, budget administration, and accounting transaction processing.
Experience gathering, validating, analyzing, and organizing financial data from multiple systems and sources.
Strong interpersonal skills and effective verbal and written communication with people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and strong organizational skills.
Ability to independently establish work priorities, manage competing responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Advanced knowledge of GAAP accounting standards.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of financial processes and procedures at the University of Iowa.
Experience identifying process-improvement opportunities and implementing enhanced financial, reporting, or operational procedures.
Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with faculty, staff, departmental leadership, central administrative offices, and external partners.
Five or more years of accounting experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare monthly and annual budget reports.
Enter assigned budgets annually in the IPlan budgeting system.
Reconcile monthly account statements.
Prepare specialized reports requested by leadership.
Prepare accounting reports and other financial information for multiple units.
Analyze expenditures, revenues, transfers, and historical information using the general ledger system.
Analyze data to identify processing methods that address existing problems or leadership and director requests.
Create and manage workflows for new transaction types, including procurement, travel, and award payments.
Contribute, as appropriate, to implementing policies and procedures related to accounting and reporting standards.
Develop and maintain documentation of accounting procedures where necessary.
Apply University policies and procedures in financial operations.
Review and approve purchasing and travel transactions for the College.
Initiate journal entries and expense-correction entries as required.
Initiate accounting changes of status for collegiate HR appointments.
Process UI Center for Advancement gift-account transfers intermittently and at fiscal year end.
Counsel and train faculty, staff, and student employees in assigned areas on purchasing and travel policies.
Assist with training and onboarding new financial operations team members as needed.
Manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a complex, service-oriented environment.