Senior Accountant

Skagit Valley College•Mount Vernon, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Accountant provides specialized accounting leadership and operational support for Skagit Valley College’s (SVC) enterprise, auxiliary, and sponsored-service units whose financial activities require accounting treatment distinct from the College’s core academic mission. Reporting to the Director of the Business Office, this position serves as the primary accounting liaison between enterprise service units and standard Business Office processes, ensuring compliance with state, federal, and accrediting requirements while supporting operational effectiveness. Enterprise service units—including Head Start, ECEAP, Road Scholars, McIntyre Hall, and the Bookstore—operate with complex cash flows, billing structures, regulatory environments, and stakeholder expectations. This position is designed to bridge those complexities by translating enterprise operations into compliant accounting practices, resolving non-routine issues, and proactively managing financial risk. The Senior Accountant is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgment, independence, and diplomacy while maintaining institutional standards and internal controls. This is a full-time, exempt position working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. This position works for the Business Office on the main campus located in Mount Vernon, Washington.

Requirements

Associate’s degree
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial operations, or fiscal management within a public-sector, higher education, nonprofit, or similarly regulated environment
Demonstrated experience with cash management, Accounts Receivable, and/ or Accounts Payable
Experience applying accounting policies, compliance requirements, and internal controls in complex or non-routine situations
Or a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to three (3) years of experience in a financial or related role.

Nice To Haves

Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience in higher education, auxiliary operations, sponsored programs, or public-sector organizations
Experience supporting federally or state-funded programs with heightened compliance requirements (e.g., Head Start, ECEAP, grants, or enterprise operations)
Familiarity with Washington State community and technical college systems, SBCTC guidance, and public-sector accounting practices
Experience working with PeopleSoft Finance or comparable ERP systems
Demonstrated success serving as a liaison between operational units and central finance functions
Demonstrated ability to present complex financial information to a wide variety of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary accounting liaison for enterprise, auxiliary, and sponsored-service units, including Head Start, ECEAP, Road Scholars, McIntyre Hall, and the Bookstore; Provide expert guidance on accounting treatment for enterprise activities, including revenue recognition, restricted funds, cash handling, and cost allowability; Coordinate with enterprise unit leadership to ensure accurate and timely recording of revenues, expenses, receivables, payables, and cash activity; Monitor compliance with applicable federal, state, grantor, and accrediting requirements associated with enterprise operations; Review financial activity for trends, anomalies, and compliance risks, escalating issues with recommended solutions as appropriate; Support preparation for internal and external audits related to enterprise and auxiliary activities and assist with responses to audit findings.
Provide advanced support and oversight for enterprise-related cash management, including reconciliation of receipts, deposits, and restricted cash balances; Oversee enterprise Accounts Receivable activity, including billing practices, aging analysis, collections coordination, and reconciliation; Review and support enterprise Accounts Payable transactions to ensure compliance with contract terms, grant requirements, and college policies; Identify process improvements to reduce errors, delays, and rework in A/R and A/P workflows associated with enterprise units; Serve as a subject-matter expert for non-standard transactions and complex payment scenarios.
Ensure enterprise service activities adhere to established internal controls, segregation of duties, and documentation standards; Identify and address compliance risks arising from non-standard or evolving enterprise operations; Partner with the Director of the Business Office, Budget and Resource Management, Sponsored Activities, and Legal/Attorney General’s Office as needed to resolve compliance issues; Assist in developing corrective action plans and monitoring implementation when deficiencies are identified; Document decisions, accounting treatments, and exceptions to support audit trails and institutional transparency.
Serve as the primary point of contact for enterprise units for non-routine accounting issues, operational challenges, and compliance questions; Translate college accounting policies and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for enterprise unit leaders; Navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with professionalism, firmness, and diplomacy, particularly in situations involving resistance to compliance requirements; Proactively identify emerging issues and recommend solutions before they escalate into audit, compliance, or reputational risk; Support training and capacity-building for enterprise unit staff related to financial processes and expectations.