Staff Accountant

Emerson College • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join our community and experience Emerson College! The Staff Accountant is a key member of the finance team, reporting to the Associate Controller. This position will assist with ensuring that the college’s accounting and reporting functions and obligations are fulfilled in an efficient, timely, and accurate manner. This is an important role that requires accuracy, attention to detail, and an ability to collaborate well with other individuals and departments. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Monitor and analyze customer accounts receivable, record customer payments received in a timely manner and proactively investigate open balances. Oversee daily cash activity and record related transactions, including depositing cash and checks for all College departments, optimizing Workday for automations. Prepare and process journal entries, ensuring they are recorded with high precision, comply with GAAP and are reconciled in a timely manner for monthly, quarterly and year-end close. Prepare detailed bank and balance sheet account reconciliations on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis. Serve as a functional point of contact within the accounting department, leveraging Zendesk ticketing system to provide guidance and ensure timely and accurate resolution of inquiries from various stakeholders. Manage escheatment compliance by identifying, reporting, and remitting abandoned property in accordance with multiple state regulations. Prepare work papers for the annual audit and assist with audited financial statement footnotes. Assist with work papers for schedules within the annual form 990. Liaise as necessary with other individuals and departments to resolve issues. Serve as backup for treasury operations, as needed. Participate in special projects as required. Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related discipline required, Master’s in Business Administration or Accounting is prefered. 2-4 years related experience in accounting is required. Experience in a not-for-profit or higher education environment is preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job. Intermediate proficiency in MS Excel and G Suite and the ability to learn new software easily. Experience with Workday is preferred. Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail required. Strong working knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and financial internal controls. Strong customer service skills and the ability to collaborate well with others. Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks. Self-starter with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills. PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position is generally sedentary in nature, movement throughout the area is required from time to time. Ability to have continuous oral and written communication with co-workers and supervisors is essential. Repetitive movements, occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds, reaching, lifting, stooping and the ability to read a computer screen, detect color-coding and read fi ne print will be expected. WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. General office conditions. Exposed to moderate noise levels. Hybrid schedule. This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week. The hybrid arrangement will be made upon hire. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness. This arrangement must be approved as outlined in the Remote Work Policy. Compensation: $58,850.00 - $72,150.00 annually, commensurate with experience. Grade of Position: 23-07E Employment Category: Regular . Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25 Division of Finance In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. Emerson Employment Categories influence work schedules, benefits eligibility, and time off policies. Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits, such as life and disability coverage and commuter offerings, are available. Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements. About Us Emerson College is the nation’s only four-year institution dedicated exclusively to majors in communication and the arts in a liberal arts context. It is located in the dynamic multi-cultural city of Boston in close proximity to major arts institutions, performing art venues, and research centers. The college enrolls over 5,800 graduate and undergraduate students from more than 70 countries and all 50 states. Emerson College has campuses in Los Angeles and the Netherlands. At Emerson College, we seek individuals who bring innovation, creativity, and impact to our campuses to increase our depth, breadth, and diversity in our educational offerings. Emerson’s commitment to inclusive excellence is supported by a range of resources. Commitment to Inclusion Emerson College believes the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence is fostering a campus climate where everyone can thrive. As a community of scholars and storytellers, we continually strive to cultivate a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent, characterized by the intentional inclusion of individuals from varied backgrounds, perspectives, beliefs, and values. Annual Clery Report In accordance with the federal Clery and Campus SaVE Acts, Emerson College commits to providing all current and prospective students and employees with access to the annual campus security reports for each of our campuses. This report may be accessed from the Emerson College Police Department website. Emerson College has designated the Associate Vice President of Equity, Access & Equal Opportunity/ Title IX Coordinator to respond to inquiries regarding the College's Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment & Sexual Violence. The Associate Vice President of Equity, Access & Equal Opportunity/ Title IX Coordinator is located in the Ansin Building, 180 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111, Suite 409, and may be reached by calling [phone] or by emailing [email protected].

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related discipline required
• 2-4 years related experience in accounting is required.
• Intermediate proficiency in MS Excel and G Suite and the ability to learn new software easily.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail required.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and financial internal controls.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to collaborate well with others.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s in Business Administration or Accounting is prefered.
• Experience in a not-for-profit or higher education environment is preferred.
• Experience with Workday is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze customer accounts receivable, record customer payments received in a timely manner and proactively investigate open balances.
• Oversee daily cash activity and record related transactions, including depositing cash and checks for all College departments, optimizing Workday for automations.
• Prepare and process journal entries, ensuring they are recorded with high precision, comply with GAAP and are reconciled in a timely manner for monthly, quarterly and year-end close.
• Prepare detailed bank and balance sheet account reconciliations on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis.
• Serve as a functional point of contact within the accounting department, leveraging Zendesk ticketing system to provide guidance and ensure timely and accurate resolution of inquiries from various stakeholders.
• Manage escheatment compliance by identifying, reporting, and remitting abandoned property in accordance with multiple state regulations.
• Prepare work papers for the annual audit and assist with audited financial statement footnotes.
• Assist with work papers for schedules within the annual form 990.
• Liaise as necessary with other individuals and departments to resolve issues.
• Serve as backup for treasury operations, as needed.
• Participate in special projects as required.
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members.
• We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.
• Emerson Employment Categories influence work schedules, benefits eligibility, and time off policies.
• Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible.
• Additional benefits, such as life and disability coverage and commuter offerings, are available.

What This Job Offers

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