Vassar College Hiring for Accountant Job at Poughkeepsie, NY Full Time

Department: Accounting Services
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:

Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 09/27/2022
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS288P
Pay Rate:

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar stands upon the homelands of the Munsee Lenape.Vassar College is deeply committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion, and respect for difference. The College is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and especially welcomes applications from veterans, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of racial, ethnic, and other historically underrepresented groups.Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.Note: Vassar College has a universal vaccination policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, for all employees except for those exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Associate Controller, the Accountant is responsible for providing the highest level of financial stewardship of the College’s restricted funds. This position will oversee all grant and gift related financial transactions and will ensure that appropriate processes and controls are in place. The Accountant will also partner with other departments, including the Grants Office and Advancement, to ensure clear communication, high quality support of departments, and effective and efficient processes.

The Accountant must have a demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize tasks with a strong use of initiative and precise attention to financial detail. In addition, candidates must have a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage time effectively with the highest degree of accuracy, while working in an environment of fluctuating priorities and frequent interruptions. This position must be able to communicate complex accounting concepts in ways non-accountants can understand.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a background check.

Position responsibilities

• Ensure the financial integrity of restricted grant and gift funds, including Title IV pass- through awards (student financial aid), by maintaining and reconciling fiscal activity, including preparation of monthly/quarterly/annual reports and schedules, complex reconciliation of general ledger accounts, and review and reconciliation of fund trial balances and other reports.
• Responsible for analyzing, in consultation with others as needed, and approving restricted funding expenditures.
• Work closely with Grants Office and Advancement to review and interpret terms and conditions of funding agreements to ensure accurate and timely set-up of awards and gifts in the College’s ERP system.
• Maintain grant and gift worktags and related worktag usage in the College’s ERP system to facilitate enhanced reporting capabilities directly from the system.
• Partner with Grants Office to create and monitor grant budgets, process budget amendments in the ERP system, review and monitor financial forecasts, and assist with other detailed calculations as they relate to the College’s grant funds, as well as grant salary and benefits matters.
• Responsible for understanding and ensuring compliance with all gift and grant rules and regulations.
• Lead annual Uniform Guidance audit and other restricted fund related audits. Provide requested schedules, records, and documentation; and prepare/provide materials and responses to auditors’ inquiries and requests.
• Responsible for completion and submission of Data Collection Form with Federal Clearinghouse and audit submission with the US Department of Education.
• Prepare Indirect Cost Proposal and work directly with governmental agency to finalize.
• Calculate and monitor the indirect cost rate applied to various sponsored awards, ensuring consistency and adherence with internal policies and externally negotiated rates.
• Prepare timely and accurate invoices and billing for all external grants and process all required drawdowns, including DOE, NSF, NIH, NEH, DOI, etc.
• Monitor and keep current with GAAP/FASB/GASB developments, including OMB circulars and supplements. Partner with Grants Office on interpretation and application of rules, and explanation to College faculty and staff as needed.
• Provide assistance in the fiscal year end closing process, ensuring proper deadlines are met, general ledger accounts reconciled, and audit schedules are complete.
• Assist with maintenance and continued improvement of the College’s ERP system.
• Identify and assist with the implementation of opportunities for workflow improvement, cost savings, and efficiencies.
• Assist in the implementation of internal controls and policies to comply with legislation and established best practices.
• Actively support a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Supports the Finance Office in other areas as appropriate and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and financial analytical tools and techniques commonly used in higher education, including an understanding of net asset classification and accounting for gifts/grants, pledges and endowments.
• Demonstrated understanding of federal guidelines relating to grants and awards.
• A demonstrated, results-driven focus with proven problem-solving skills, with an ability to troubleshoot situations and manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact in a positive, professional and courteous manner with individuals at all levels.
• Ability to explain complex accounting principles in a way everyone can understand.
• Appreciation for and understanding of a mission-oriented College with a focus on exemplary service and the ability to work within a collaborative team environment with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with large complex ERP systems; Workday experience preferred.
• Proficiency with computer software applications such as Excel (including pivot tables and v-lookup formulas), ad hoc report writers, Word and PowerPoint.

Education/Certification: A bachelors degree in accounting required. CPA or CPA candidate a plus.

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/2892.

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