Senior Accountant for the School of Medicine

Reports To:

SOM Senior Associate Dean for Administration and Finance and MU AVP of Finance and Controller

Job Summary:

The Senior Accountant for the School of Medicine provides accounting, financial reporting, analysis and advisory support for the School of Medicine while working closely with the University Controller's Office and School of Medicine leadership. The position is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information, monitoring restricted and designated funds, managing fixed-asset accounting, preparing management reports and identifying opportunities to improve financial processes and controls.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare, review and post journal entries; perform monthly account and fund reconciliations; investigate variances; and ensure the accuracy and integrity of general ledger balances.
• Work with School of Medicine leadership and the University Controller to develop the annual budget. Use budget-to-actual reports to monitor the budgets regularly.
• Serve as a financial resource to School of Medicine administrators and budget managers, providing guidance regarding account activity, University financial policies, available balances, restricted funds and appropriate accounting treatment.
• Analyze financial results, identify significant trends and variances, prepare forecasts and ad hoc financial analyses, and translate findings into actionable information for School of Medicine and University leadership.
• Research and resolve specific problems in the preparation of reports, ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Produce monthly management reports utilizing accounting system. Present monthly reports to the Controller and CFO.
• Coordinate with Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable to investigate and resolve School of Medicine accounting issues and ensure transactions are accurately recorded.
• Identify and implement opportunities to automate accounting processes, improve reporting, strengthen internal controls and reduce manual work through effective use of University financial systems and related technologies.
• Support monthly and fiscal year-end close processes and prepare schedules, documentation and account analyses required for internal and external audits.
• Maintain and evaluate internal controls related to assigned accounting activities; recommend improvements to safeguard University assets, improve accuracy and ensure compliance with University policies.
• Maintain a high degree of accuracy, professionalism, confidentiality and customer service in all responsibilities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or equivalent required, Masters preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible accounting, financial analysis or related experience.
• C.P.A. or C.P.A. Candidate preferred.
• Ellucian Colleague software experience a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of accounting, GAAP and nonprofit accounting.
• Demonstrated competence in the areas of critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and technical skills.
• Intermediate knowledge of applicable federal, state and local policies, procedures, rules and regulations; laws, rules and regulations pertaining to assigned area of responsibility.
• Ability to compose clear and concise reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn quickly, the financial structure and financial procedures of the University.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, complex formulas, data validation and analysis of large financial datasets. Also, the ability to quickly learn report writing software applications, such as Ellucian Insights.
• Ability to analyze data and draw sound conclusions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple work priorities and organize and plan work to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information and situations.