West Chester University
Birmingham, Alabama
St. Louis, Missouri
Cedar Falls, Iowa
New York, New York
San Francisco, California
Posted: 19-Apr-25
Location: West Chester University
Categories:
Internal Number: 4912935
Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania's Finance and Business Services Department invites applicants for the position of Senior Accountant. This is a hybrid position with up to 90% remote work.
West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.
WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.
The Finance and Business Services Department provides timely, accurate and meaningful financial information and advice to the University community to support management decision-making, and to demonstrate fiscal responsibility, accountability, and regulatory compliance to the University's constituents.
Reporting to the Assistant Controller, the Senior Accountant manages WCU capital assets and debt including lease activity and subscription agreements; assists with the general accounting functions and financial reporting including reconciliations, journal entries, validating entries, providing backup to other accountants and supporting the year-end close and the annual audit; and supports and collaborates with campus partners including WCU faculty and staff, PASSHE, and other PASSHE universities.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of accounting principles, higher education experience, process improvement and automation experience with an attention to details that results in a commitment to excellence in financial reporting and compliance.
Responsibilities include:
- Oversee fixed assets including creation, capitalization, PO review and release, reconciliations, asset tagging, conducting the biannual inventory of federal assets and triennial inventory of non-federal assets
- Review approved Project Request Forms for accuracy prior to funding and assign plant fund numbers. Prepare and post funds transfers for projects and cross-fund transfers
- Act as liaison between the accounting department and various departments including Facilities, Student Affairs and Auxiliaries regarding capital project
- Prepare reconciliations for balance sheet accounts including but not limited to bond and lease accounts and Key 93 funded projects. Prepare Key 93 Annual Reporting
- Prepare or review bond accounting entries, request bond drawdowns, and prepare detailed account analyses for the University's debt financed and Key 93 funded projects
- Manage the database used for tracking leases and software-based information technology agreements (SBITAs) in Visual Lease to facilitate the appropriate accounting treatment and financial reporting of leases, both lessee and lessor activity in accordance with GASB. Prepare the related accounting entries and audit workpapers. General Accounting
- Responsible for the Unclaimed Property process including due diligence, reporting, and reconciliations. Responsible for unrestricted expense transfers including Library
- Act as a liaison between the accounting department and the campus community regarding proper classification of expenses to applicable general ledger account numbers or any other accounting issues
- Participate in the month-end close process; and ensure journal entries and reconciliations for responsible areas are prepared in a timely manner.
- Year-end close entries, general ledger account reconciliations and activities as assigned
- Assist with FINRPT and audit preparation and responding to information requests from the auditors
- Maintain knowledge of GAAP, GASB, University, and PASSHE policy as well as other external regulations to assure compliance in assigned areas
- Other tasks, duties and special projects as assigned
- Bachelor's degree
- Two (2) years of accounting experience
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs including Excel
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or finance
- Excellent communication skills
- Customer service experience
- Experience creating complex reports and managing data
- Higher Education, not for profit or government work experience or public accounting experience
- CPA permit holder or candidate
- Experience with systems used in higher education (such as PeopleSoft, OnBase, Banner, SAP, and BI/Business Intelligence)
