What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant I position at Rhode Island College?
Rhode Island College is a regional comprehensive public college that serves approximately 6,600 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. The College is known throughout the Northeast for high-quality academic programs, small class sizes, personalized, hands-on learning experiences, and high value compared to other four-year institutions. The Accounting Office provides critical administrative support for the College. The Accounting office manages accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management and financial transacting and reporting. The Office is responsible for the collection and maintenance of the College’s financial data and prepares the year-end financial statements in conformity with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
Primary Purpose
Ensure financial integrity and responsible accounting, auditing and other fiscal procedures are performed. Serve in a principal role in preparation of interim and annual financial statements. Supervise or carry out other various accounting functions.
Essential Duties
- Serve in a principal role in the preparation of interim and annual comprehensive financial statements of the College.
- Work with the College’s PeopleSoft financial system, the State’s financial systems, and other software.
- Assist in the maintenance and automation of accounting/financial systems.
- Administer financial functions such as budgetary accounting, budget preparation, and similar fiscal procedures.
- Supervise or carry out: preparation of monthly accounting and special reports; maintenance of appropriation and other subsidiary ledgers and determination of proper, classification of accounts for posting therein and reconciliations.
- Provide financial information to the Assistant Controller and Controller upon request. Prepare various other reports as required by other College departments or agencies.
- Develop and implement improvements to current systems of internal controls.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Controller.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of fund accounting principles, including experience complying with current GASB pronouncements.
- Demonstrated skills in administration, organization.
- Ability to develop and implement improvements to accounting systems and possess ability to multi-task.
- Ability to analyze and prepare financial statements.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word programs.
- A working knowledge of the principles of public or private accounting or administrative systems.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field.
Experience:
- A minimum of three years of experience in accounting/budgeting in a responsible position.
- Experience in the preparation of financial statements.
- Experience working with computerized accounting/financial systems.
- CPA or Master’s in a finance-related field.
- Related experience in a college or university accounting/budgeting position.
The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions.