What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant – Finance & Business Operations, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences position at Jobs@UIOWA?
The Finance & Business Operations team in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is seeking a Senior Accountant.
Are you a detail-oriented financial expert with a passion for academia? The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Iowa is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our team. This pivotal role involves providing comprehensive accounting support to multiple departments, ensuring financial accuracy and contributing to strategic financial planning. As a Senior Accountant, you will leverage your expertise in financial systems, perform complex reconciliations, and create precise financial reports. Join us in fostering a welcoming and respectful environment while driving excellence in financial management and analysis. If you have accounting, finance, business administration or other business-related field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience) along with 1-3 years of relevant experience, we invite you to apply and be a part of our vibrant academic community.
This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Oversight and Budgeting
- Prepare financial information for CLAS and departmental budgets using the general ledger and a variety of university financial systems.
- Prepare accounting reports for central campus units.
- Process and review transactions from various financial systems.
- Maintain and reconcile existing charts of accounts for assigned departments.
Financial Reporting
- Complete complex and non-routine reconciliations.
- Contribute to month- and year-end accounting and reporting.
- Develop financial reports tailored to specific user needs, utilizing data from various databases.
- Interpret reports and relay information to aid data-driven decision-making processes.
Financial Analysis and Planning
- Perform complex, routine, and ad-hoc variance analyses.
- Use expert knowledge of financial systems and specialized analysis tools.
- Analyze financial data to discover trends and identify spending behaviors.
Compliance
- Utilize working knowledge of GAAP accounting standards.
- Make recommendations on the implementation of new operational oversight policies and procedures related to compliance with policies, regulations, laws.
Transaction Processing
- Review, approve, and initiate complex and/or specialized transactions and correct journal entries.
- Open and close accounts and maintain department chart of accounts.
Leadership and Training
- Provide functional coaching and individual training to faculty and staff on financial systems, policies, and procedures.
- Serve as liaison for financial information between CLAS and assigned departments.
For a full job description or questions about this position, please send an email to chris-crawford-1@uiowa.edu.
Education Required
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or other business-related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications
- A minimum of 1-3 years of professional accounting, auditing, budgeting or financial analysis experience, including experience with reconciliations and general ledger transactions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to a variety of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to work with formulas, pivot tables, and data review tools; and proficiency with Word and Outlook.
- Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and customer‑service orientation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Desired Qualifications
- Working experience in developing financial reports tailored to specific needs of the end user.
- Working knowledge of enterprise financial systems, such as GLDSS, MAUI, EFR or other automated accounting platforms.
- Working knowledge of University policies, procedures and regulations.
- Working knowledge of GAAP and internal control principles, including experience interpreting or applying financial policies and procedures.
Position and Application details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship in the United States.
For additional questions, please contact: chris-crawford-1@uiowa.edu
Benefits Highlights:
Regular salaried position. Pay Level 4A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
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About Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.