Financial Accountant

High Point University Business Office Financial Accountant position will provide financial reporting, monthly closing, account reconciliation, and internal controls support to the University. This position is part of the Financial Affairs Accounting Team that is responsible for accounting functions necessary for the production of timely and accurate financial reporting to governmental regulatory agencies, departments, external auditors and senior management.

Education, Experience and Training:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.  Degree in Accounting, Business, or related field is desired. 
• Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Knowledge of accounting systems and general accounting principles.
• Ability to multi-task and think intuitively and critically are required.
• Must be detail oriented with the ability to work independently and as part of a team required.
• Knowledge of general ledger set up and basic account reconciliations.
• Knowledge and ability to utilize the Internet, including but not limited to online banking and merchant services, Microsoft Office software, E-commerce and Ellucian (Colleague) software or a related higher education software package.
• Ability to utilize internal systems including Unimarket or other online purchasing systems, ImageNow, Clarity, Blackboard/Blackboard Reporting System, and Informer Reporting System.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with internal and external personnel. 
• Effective communication skills and ability to work both independently and as a team. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills including the ability to multi-task and prioritize competing work responsibilities.
• Ability to work confidently and competently under very tight deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to quickly analyze situations, consider alternatives, and take appropriate course of action.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Assists in establishing and maintaining accounting procedures to ensure all financial reports conform to generally accepted standards of fund accounting.
• Reconciles various general ledger accounts such as inventory, prepaids, financial aid, cash accounts, etc.  Research/resolve reconciling items.  Reconciling items can involve external departments including Student Accounts, Institutional Advancement, Financial Planning, etc.
• Assists in fixed asset analysis.
• Assists in recording endowment activity and providing ad hoc endowment reporting.
• Assists other accounting personnel with researching incoming wire activity and make required entries for cash activity as needed. 
• Assists in month-end closing including preparation and recording of journal entries to record monthly departmental allocation entries, Passport transactions, interest earnings, non-AR credit card transactions (from Merchant Services Settlement Reports), travel card imports etc.
• Assists with other required journal entries such as recurring activity for items automatically drafted from or deposited to the bank account, departmental reclassification entries, and Student Government Association entries.
• Performs other special projects assigned by the Manager of Financial Accounting (MFA) including but not limited to:
  • Ad hoc reporting as needed for departments or executive management
  • Performs internal audit procedures on travel cards
  • Performs internal audit on Inventory
  • Assists with Year-end closing and audit schedules including assisting with preparation of the University’s audited financial statement bound report

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

This position contributes to the University’s successful use of accounting by preparing necessary reporting, maintaining the general ledger, reconciling accounts and maintaining internal controls.  The incumbent works closely with the Director of Business Services and VPFA to ensure compliance with University policy, federal and state regulations and laws, and GAAP.  The position is actively involved in month end and fiscal year-end closings in order for the financial statements to reflect accurately the results of the financial operations of the University.

For more information regarding this position please contact Scott Crabbs, Manager of Financial Accounting, at [email protected]