Staff Accountant (Financial Coordinator), Provost Area Management Center

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

35d • $48,022 - $69,569

About The Position

Duke University: Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.  Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.
At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Staff Accountant (Financial Coordinator), you’ll be an integral part of a collaborative finance team supporting diverse academic and administrative units within the Provost Area Management Center (PAMC). Your work will contribute directly to Duke’s mission of excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Be Bold.
The Staff Accountant applies professional accounting expertise to ensure accurate financial operations, sound stewardship of resources, and informed decision‑making across the university. Your analytical mindset, attention to detail, and commitment to service will help maintain compliance, strengthen financial processes, and support the departments you serve.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in accounting, financial administration, procurement, or related operational finance.
• Experience with account reconciliations and journal entries.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, financial systems, and internal controls.
• Strong communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education or a university financial setting.
• Familiarity with Duke financial systems (SAP R/3, Buy@Duke, ETR).
• Experience supporting executive‑level offices.
• Experience with corporate card compliance.

Responsibilities

• Financial Account Management & Reconciliation (35%): Perform monthly account reconciliations and resolve discrepancies in accordance with Duke financial standards. Maintain expense tracking files and support financial projections and balance reporting. Maintain and distribute endowment reports. Prepare variance analyses explaining material fluctuations. Monitor the shared vendor inbox and update tracking systems. Support month‑end close activities, including accrual/deferral validation and documentation.
• Journal Entries, Procurement & Transaction Processing (25%): Prepare and review journal entries and vouchers with appropriate documentation. Review and approve corporate card transactions and high-dollar purchases. Process Accounts Payable requests according to Duke policy. Assist with contract processing and ensure appropriate treatment. Resolve workflow issues and invoice discrepancies with departments and vendors.
• Travel, Reimbursement & Corporate Card Administration (15%): Manage travel reimbursements, advances, and reconciliations. Provide guidance on travel and corporate card policies. Conduct compliance checks and monitor card activity.
• Student Payroll & Miscellaneous Payments (10%): Coordinate supplemental and multipurpose payments for staff and students. Submit miscellaneous student reimbursements and liaise with ETR. Process non-compensatory payments with required documentation.
• Customer Service, Training & Policy Guidance (10%): Serve as the primary financial contact for PAMC‑supported units. Advise departments on accounting processes, internal controls, and policy applications. Support onboarding and training for financial systems. Provide guidance on ETR, AP, corporate card policies, Buy@Duke, and SAP R/3.
• Other Duties (5%): Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

What This Job Offers

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