Accountant I

Job Summary

The Accountant I is a member of the Finance and Accounting team who performs routine financial and accounting tasks. This position is responsible for preparing manual journals and ad hoc bank transactions, maintaining the general ledger, and assisting with preparing annual financial reports for the University. The Accountant I ensures the accuracy and maintenance of financial records, follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and complies with all Federal, State, and local regulations.
FGCU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity and Access Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, genetic predisposition, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, veteran status, and any other protected class(es), as required by applicable state and federal law, as well as University regulations and policies.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Prepares and enters manual journals and ad hoc bank transactions in the financial accounting system. Maintains appropriate documentation.
• Performs monthly review of the general ledger for abnormal balances and initiates corrective transactions. Reconciles assigned accounts. 
• Performs analysis of data and researches significant variances between reporting periods.
• Reconciles balance sheet and clears accounts monthly. Prepares monthly allocations.
• Prepares financial reports, worksheets, and accounting summaries.  Performs detailed analyses of accounting activities.  Identifies discrepancies and makes recommendations for correction. 
• Assists with month-end and year-end close activities.
• Assists in periodic review of the general ledger chart of accounts for inactive Activities, Funds, and Cost Centers.
• Prepares and updates desktop procedures.
• Serves as a backup for the Auxiliary and Treasury Accounting areas.
• Prepares financial reports and schedules in compliance with FGCU policies, federal and state regulations, and GAAP standards.
• Creates and maintains spreadsheets or databases for supporting documentation, record keeping, auditing, and verification.
• Assists with accounting and budget questions, revenue and expenditure coding, document processing and other activities.

Other Duties:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either five years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Accounting or closely related field and one year of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Professional full-time experience in general ledger accounting and financial statement preparation.
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Experience with Workday finance or other electronic accounting systems.
• Work experience in a higher education environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) as they related to higher education accounting activities.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Workday or similar enterprise financial management software applications.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects. 
• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with a diverse group of staff, faculty, students, and the community in a service-oriented environment.
• Ability to work successfully as both a member of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, and problem-solving skills to complete work, take responsibility, and make decisions based on solid analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to take initiative to plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations when numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Ability to use effective decision making and problem solving techniques.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures consistently.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections.
• Ability to thrive in an organization that values the diversity of its student body and workforce and actively promotes an equitable environment.

Pay Grade: 16