Student Government Association Accountant

Skidmore College•Saratoga Springs, NY

45d•$24 - $26

About The Position

This role oversees the Student Government Association's student activity funds-budgeting, accounting, and reporting-to ensure accurate records, fiscal stewardship, and sustainable use of resources. It trains and advises student leaders on budgeting, spending, and compliance with College/SGA financial policies, serving as the primary advisor to the SGA VP for Financial Affairs and the Budget & Finance Committee. The position coordinates the annual SGA budget process, reviews and approves expenditures within policy, and prepares materials for regular financial audits. In doing so, it functions as the College's liaison to SGA finance, safeguarding funds while empowering students to make sound financial decisions.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Social Sciences, Communication, Education, or Accounting with equivalent experience; Bachelor's degree preferred in one of these areas.
Hands-on accounting and bookkeeping experience in a higher-education or related/non-profit environment; prior experience advising college-age students on leadership and/or financial management is preferred.
Strong communication (interpersonal and written); able to explain policies, present ideas, and communicate tactfully with students, staff, and vendors.
Critical thinking, quantitative literacy, analysis, and problem solving to interpret financial data and advise on decisions.
Ability to work independently, make sound judgments, and manage competing priorities with excellent planning, organization, time management, and multi-tasking.
Ability to persuade/influence and, when needed, say no-using tact, diplomacy, patience, and persistence-while enforcing policy and maintaining the integrity of processes.
Skills to gain and give information: active listening, questioning for clarification, and presenting options during advising, trainings, and workshops.
Ability to teach and advise college-age students; adapt teaching styles (directing, mentoring, coaching, facilitating).
Leadership and supervisory ability to select, train, motivate, and oversee student workers.
Working knowledge of accounting, bookkeeping, budget planning/development; high attention to detail and confidentiality.
Technology: proficiency with accounting software, preferably QuickBooks; ability to produce accurate, user-friendly accounting reports.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on accounting and bookkeeping experience in a higher-education or related/non-profit environment; prior experience advising college-age students on leadership and/or financial management is preferred.
Bachelor's degree preferred in one of these areas.

Responsibilities

Maintain SGA financial records and reporting. Develop, safeguard, and keep accounting records current for ~130 accounts; summarize, analyze, and report transactions for leaders who need them. Ensure records are accurate, complete, secure, and accessible.
Run accounts payable/receivable. Verify requests against SGA policy, manage deposits and distributions, and handle required banking and regulatory reporting. Process check requests bi-weekly and confirm supporting documentation and budget availability.
Reconcile and resolve banking issues. Reconcile SGA checking/credit accounts monthly and quarterly; investigate and clear missing or outstanding charges. When needed, arrange approved fund transfers with financial institutions.
Lead annual SGA budget planning and development. Coordinate the process, review club/committee proposals for appropriateness, and guide revisions. Advise the VP for Financial Affairs (VPFA) and Budget & Finance (B&F) Committee, and facilitate Senate review and approval.
Advise and train student leaders. Meet with SGA and club leaders on budgeting, policy compliance, contracts, programming, and problem-solving. Deliver recurring workshops each semester (budgeting, finance) and topic-specific sessions as needed.
Serve as primary advisor to Vice President for Finance and Administration and Budget & Finance Committee. Meet regularly to review/approve expenditures, discuss financial policies, investments, forecasts, and fund requests; advise on additional-expense requests (up to $1,000) as defined. Provide data-driven recommendations to support sound decisions.
Develop and refine SGA financial policies and procedures. Research best practices, draft updates, align with College policies, and implement Senate-approved changes; improve clarity and usability of policy materials. Communicate changes to stakeholders and address feedback.
Prepare for and support audits. Maintain audit-ready documentation and coordinate with Financial Services during bi-annual reviews of SGA financial practices. Respond to audit questions and provide required reports.
Select, train, and supervise student workers. Hire and coach two student employees and manage their payroll on time. Provide day-to-day direction while balancing other office priorities.
Coordinate across OLA/SGA and perform related duties. Meet with SGA Executive officers and OLA staff to review expenses, policies, forecasts, and fund criteria; participate in OLA projects and provide coverage for major events. Serve as a Notary Public for the campus community (if certified).