Senior Staff Accountant, General Accounting & Financial Reporting

Boston University•Boston, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Staff Accountant is a key member of Boston University's Financial Accounting & Reporting team and works closely with staff from Advancement, Budget, Business Affairs, Student Accounts, Research Accounting, and other areas. The position may work a hybrid schedule under University remote-work guidelines, with remote work up to three days per week after successful completion of an observation period. The role supports financial reporting and analysis, including gift and endowment transactions, general ledger accounts, reconciliations, journal entries, and external tax reporting for CGAs, CRUTs, and CRATs. It also collaborates with Advancement teams to review gift agreements and estate documentation for accounting implications and proper setup. Special projects may include outreach about unusual transactions, process improvements, data analysis using applications such as Power BI, and ad hoc reports and reconciliations. The salary range is $61,200 to $104,100, with an initial annual salary for new hires expected to be between $75,000 and $85,000, based on related experience, expertise, available budget, and internal equity. Boston University offers a benefits package that includes health, dental, and life insurance, paid time off, and tuition remission for full-time employees and their dependents. The Financial Affairs department values intellectual, cultural, and social diversity and seeks a collaborative, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.
3–5 years of accounting experience.
Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas, to acquire, organize, and analyze data.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices, with the ability to communicate topics and theories to internal non-accountant partners.
Experience analyzing data to determine relevant conclusions and suggest appropriate actions to management.
Ability to multitask and prioritize routine tasks and ad hoc requests.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and quality of work output.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively both independently and with others in a small, collegial team environment.
Self-motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CPA candidate.
Public accounting experience or experience within a higher education institution.
ERP experience; SAP is desirable.

Responsibilities

Analyze gifts and endowments and complete monthly tasks to ensure transactions are reported timely and in the proper net asset classification.
Assist with monthly and year-end financial reporting, including oversight and flux analysis of critical financial areas.
Prepare monthly analyses of general ledger accounts and related reconciliations, providing leadership with insights on significant balances and fluctuations.
Reconcile and monitor gift clearing accounts to ensure matching gift revenue and receipt.
Prepare monthly and year-end journal entries.
Prepare external tax reporting for CGAs, CRUTs, and CRATs.
Work with Advancement teams to review gift agreements and estate documentation for accounting implications and proper setup.
Undertake special projects, including outreach about unusual transactions, process improvements, use of data-analysis applications such as Power BI, and ad hoc reports and reconciliations.