Staff Accountant

WESLEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY•Washington, DC

3d•$62,000 - $72,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Accountant reports directly to the Controller and is primarily responsible for the tasks associated with billing and collection on all student accounts. The Staff Accountant also serves as the cashier for the Business Office. In addition, the Staff Accountant assists the Controller and the Chief Financial Officer with the Seminary’s more complex accounting matters and works closely with the Controller to learn the intricacies of higher education tuition, financial aid, and development accounting, and how these are processed in Wesley’s ERP and student information systems. The Staff Accountant will also be trained in payroll, employee benefits, and the accounting functions that support human resources, broadening both knowledge and opportunities for professional growth. Staff Accountants who demonstrate strong performance may be considered for advancement to Senior Accountant as institutional needs allow.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in accounting is required.
The successful applicant will be able to provide evidence of the ability to deliver quality customer service.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and a commitment to quality customer service.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Self-starter who works cooperatively with others in a diverse, fast-paced environment and manages multiple priorities and tasks (phone, front counter, email, reconciliations, and similar).
Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Mail Merge, and Outlook.
Experience reconciling bank statements, preparing journal entries, and performing account analysis.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and experience working in a nonprofit organization or higher education institution is a plus.
Experience working with student accounts and collections is a plus.
Experience with Ellucian (Datatel) or a comparable ERP and student information system is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Generate student charges for each academic term periodically in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office.
Review all student accounts to ensure accuracy.
Mail or email monthly billing statements to students.
Analyze student charges and make adjustments as necessary.
Enter miscellaneous charges, including immersion charges, orientation fees, and late fees.
Prepare lists of students for financial hold and lists of students eligible for collections.
Prepare pre-collection letters to delinquent students.
Process online payments and payment plan reconciliation batches.
Process and reconcile daily cash receipt batches and prepare bank deposits.
Process remote check deposits daily.
Prepare gift batch deposits for the Development department.
Serve as the Business Office Cashier.
Reconcile the operating account bank statement.
Coordinate and process corporate credit card charges for employees holding Seminary credit cards.
Assist with enforcing financial policies and procedures across multiple departments and accounting areas.
Periodically analyze budget-to-actual variances and determine the reason for errors or discrepancies.
Meet with Seminary community members and departments regarding complex accounting issues.
Complete tasks and analyses in the accounting areas described above in coordination with the CFO, the Controller, Seminary departments, and other constituents.