Senior Accountant

University of Arkansas System • Fort Smith, AR

13d • $53,000 - $58,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is a dynamic, mid-sized public university that’s redefining higher education. We’re on a mission to provide transformative, hands-on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds and aspirations. Our multi-faceted approach to education offers a wealth of opportunities, with over 70 academic programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. We’re committed to building a diverse community that mirrors Arkansas’s rich tapestry, reflecting our dedication to serving the state’s varied population while enhancing the quality of our institution. As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10 percent of employee salary.

The Senior Accountant is responsible, under supervision, for reporting, analyzing, and interpreting accounting information. The position will assist in preparing various financial reports, as required, or requested, in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and higher education industry practices. The Senior Accountant will assist in determining the applicability of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) standards on behalf of the UAFS Foundation including implementation of the required standards to achieve compliance. This position will assist in developing and enforcing UAFS Foundation internal controls and financial policies and procedures and will aid in identifying areas for improvement as well as determining and implementing best practices. This position is governed by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), FASB, GASB, federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as University of Arkansas System and UAFS policies. The position reports to the Director of Foundation Finance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field
• Four years’ experience in accounting, audit, or finance
• Other job-related education and years of experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements upon approval.
• The qualified candidate must be technically proficient in accounting, understand finance concepts, and have strong working knowledge and expertise in financial accounting standards and reporting requirements to be able to prepare financial statements in compliance with GAAP and financial accounting standards.
• Have an ability to acquire knowledge and understanding of complex accounting principles and reporting standards.
• Ability to apply knowledge base comprehensively.
• Ability to compile information, develop, and prepare reports.
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively and clearly communicate financial information to all campus constituents with understanding.
• Must demonstrate initiative, self-direction, ownership of projects, ability to meet deadlines, attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and excellent organization, follow-through, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and respond positively to change.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Effective skills in Microsoft Excel.
• Exhibit and promote ethical behavior and compliance in financial activities.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of accounting experience in a not-for-profit setting
• Experience working with Blackbaud Finance Edge and/or Workday

Responsibilities

• Reports all Foundation gifts to the staff and maintains security of all cash and check donations.
• Prepares Foundation financial reporting information for scholarships, endowment reports, and gift processing.
• Monitors and reports on outstanding pledges and matching gift pledges monthly to maintain accuracy.
• Prepares monthly pledge invoices as needed.
• Prepares and records journal entries and creates reports.
• Accounts Payable process for UAFS Foundation, including review and approval of coding and entering of invoices, processing checks, sales tax reporting, annual 1099 reporting, and appropriate documentation of transactions.
• Reconciles account balances as assigned to maintain accurate balances and comply with accounting practices, including reconciliation of the General Ledger system with the CRM system.
• Reconciles and records intercompany billings between the University and the UAFS Foundation.
• Research discrepancies in financial information and documentation to ensure accuracy and adhere to procedures before processing for action.
• Monitor financial management practices of the UAFS Foundation to ensure adherence to accounting standards.
• Assist in preparing financial statements and 990’s for the UAFS Foundation and compute appropriate ratios to aid in planning.
• Assist the Foundation finance team with creating reports from the financial database.
• Provides support for annual audit and financial statement work papers, including monthly actual to budget for both UAFS Foundation and University.
• Work closely with Planned Giving to build and maintain a mature program through improved application of Planned Giving processes and data entry.
• Accurately manage and record Charitable Gifts Annuity information.
• Assist the overall Finance team (University and Foundation) with special projects and reporting.

Benefits

• university contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance
• tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• immediate leave accrual
• a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10 percent of employee salary

What This Job Offers

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