Job Category: Exempt

PCLS: 30101

Summary

Incumbents in the Accountant series maintain and reconcile ledgers and accounts according to generally accepted accounting principles. Incumbents prepare and analyze financial information and prepare reports and financial statements based upon the analysis performed. 

Distinguishing Characteristics 

The Accountant Manager is distinguished from the Accountant Senior in that the incumbents in the Manager position manage a major functional area of the University accounting and financial systems (e.g. College Accounting, Sponsored Programs Accounting, etc.), and usually manages a team. 

Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities

The Accountant Manager reports to the Controller.  This classification oversees the work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work.  

Typical Functions

1. Manages a major functional area of the University accounting and financial systems and supervises any employees assigned to that area. 
2. Analyzes and monitors budgets and expenditures for compliance with fiscal accountability and reporting requirements.  
3. Completes cost analyses. 
4. Reviews and prepares journal entries. 
5. Reconciles journal entries, monetary transfers, and inventory control procedures. 
6. Prepares financial reports and monitors reports for accuracy and completeness. 
7. Resolves basic accounting discrepancies. 
8. Interacts with departments and colleges as assigned. 
9. Prepares invoices to outside agencies and oversees collection of funds owed. 
10. May compile and review award and grant contracts. 
11. Reviews new index and new organizational requests, assigns numbers, and sets up accounts in Banner. 
12. Analyzes complex financial data and reports the results and possible implications to the requester in order to make sound business decisions. 
13. Directs year end processing and preparation of financial statements. 
14. Makes recommendations regarding departmental accounting policies and procedures. 
15. Ensures compliance in executing, analyzing, verifying, and reporting transactions of a fiscal nature. 
16. May serve as a project leader on special assignments.  
17. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. Prepares the University’s facilities and administration (F&A) cost study in order to generate a rate proposal to submit to Office of Naval Research (ONR); and negotiates the final rate. 
18. Manages the financial analysis, accounting, and compliance of all Service centers.  
19. Manages, coordinates, and negotiates ongoing audits by HHS of the F&A rate calculation and actual costs of the University.  
20. Resolves audit issues and negotiates F&A rates with HHS.  
21. Defends and supports expenses and calculations of expenses across the University spectrum. 
22. Works with auditors to ensure smooth audits and accurate interpretation. 
23. Performs analysis of data. 
24. Coordinates and conducts the required space surveys for the rate calculation including physical inspections, interviews with departmental personnel, collaboration with Facilities, and analysis of their space documentation. 
25. Supervises employees. 
26. Supervises Service Center accounting and financial analysis.  
27. Serves as the expert in the compliance area for service centers as they relate to federal grants and contracts. 
28. Resolves compliance issues and ensures proper calculation of service center rates charged to federal contracts and campus departments. 
29. Oversees the preparation and management of the NCAA reports and manages all the corresponding external audits. 
30. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge and understanding of accounting principles and practices within area of accounting specialty. 
2. Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations, and University financial policies and procedures. 
3. Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele and/or media sources. 
4. Ability to quantify and illustrate complex financial reports, comparisons, impacts, and/or projections using spreadsheet and database software. 
5. Ability to prepare research reports and proposals. 
6. Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments. 
7. Knowledge of computerized information systems used in financial and/or accounting applications. 
8. Organizing and coordinating skills. 
9. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. 
10. Ability to understand and apply University policies and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal regulations as they relate to revenues, expenditures, financial reporting, and grant funding. 
11. Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. 
12. Ability to investigate and analyze information, draw conclusions, and resolve issues. 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field plus six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required.   

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. 

Disclaimer

This position description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.