Accountant I

Compensation

$47,575.00 Annual

Job Description Summary

The Office for Finance is committed to fulfilling Santa Fe College’s (SF) mission by providing the highest quality fiscal services through excellence in customer service, integrity, accountability, and stewardship, working together to implement creative solutions and best practices.

The Accountant performs professional accounting duties in support of SF’s financial operations and is responsible for applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards, college policies, and applicable state and federal guidelines and regulations to analyze and interpret financial information, prepare accurate and timely financial reports and statements, and ensure appropriate accounting controls. This role performs a wide range of professional accounting activities relating to financial planning, management, reporting, and control, and provides internal accounting support to the college by evaluating financial transactions and account activity, resolving accounting discrepancies and issues, and evaluating, recommending, and contributing to the improvement of effective accounting practices and procedures.

The Accountant must have a thorough understanding of GAAP, governmental accounting standards, and applicable state and federal guidelines and regulations. Additionally, this position exercises consistent discretion and judgement in interpreting accounting requirements, determining appropriate accounting treatment, evaluating financial activity, resolving discrepancies, and addressing accounting issues that require analysis of varying facts and circumstances.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Performs professional general ledger accounting activities, including journal entries, account analysis, reconciliations, accruals, reclassifications, and other accounting adjustments.

• Completes assigned accounting activities related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, revenue, expenses, grants, contracts, restricted funds, and other financial functions.

• Analyzes financial transactions and account activity to determine accurate and appropriate accounting treatment and recording in accordance with applicable accounting principles and policies.

• Reviews financial records to identify errors, unusual transactions, variances, discrepancies, and other accounting issues.

• Researches and resolves accounting discrepancies, irregularities, and other issues by analyzing underlying financial activity and applying appropriate accounting principles and procedures.

• Schedules, reviews, and analyzes department ledger accounting entry details to ensure accuracy, monitor variances, evaluate financial activity, and resolve discrepancies.

• Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare monthly, quarterly, and/or annual internal and external financial reports, statements, schedules, and supporting documentation.

• Participates in monthly, quarterly, annual, and fiscal year end closing activities.

• Supports the management of budget and forecast activities by analyzing financial information and identifying variances and trends.

• May prepare budgets, financial forecasts, and other detailed calculations related to college contracts, grants, and programs.

• Reviews accounts payable transactions and expense items, including purchase orders, invoices, and/or credit memos related to vendor transactions, to ensure accuracy, appropriate accounting treatment, and compliance with applicable policies and procedures.

• Evaluates financial activity and accounting practices to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, policies, and accounting standards and to maintain the integrity of financial data.

• Provides accounting information and guidance to internal and external constituencies requiring the use of professional judgement and interpretation of accounting principles, policies, rules, and procedures.

• May assist with various areas of fiscal audits, including analyzing and preparing work papers, reconciliations, reports, and supporting documentation.

• Collects and analyzes financial information to evaluate the efficient use of resources and procedures, identify financial issues, and recommend appropriate solutions and improvements.

• Utilizes Workday and other related systems and reporting tools to process, review, reconcile, analyze, and report financial information.

• Participates in the evaluation and improvement of accounting practices, procedures, internal controls, reports, financial processes, and financial system functionality.

• Interprets and applies established accounting principles, procedures, and applicable requirements to assigned financial activities and varying financial circumstances.

• Performs ad hoc financial data compilation and analysis as needed.

• Keeps a record of operating procedures and may share position specific knowledge, including use of collegewide ERP and related system processes, by providing guidance on standard operations and established departmental procedures as needed. 

• Provides service to the college through participation in events, committees, and other college activities.

• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.

• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field or an associate’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field with two (2) years of professional accounting experience.

Preferred: Experience in governmental accounting, higher education accounting, grant accounting, and/or financial aid accounting. Experience working in and utilizing Workday.
Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.

• Analytical Aptitude & Problem Solving - able to analyze information, problems, situations, practices and/or procedures, collect and interpret data, reason logically, establish facts, identify and define existing and potential issues, recognize the interrelationships among elements, draw valid conclusions, develop recommendations, as well as alternative courses of action, select appropriate course, follow up, and evaluate.

• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.

• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.

• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.

• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.

• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.

• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.

• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

• Team Orientation & Interpersonal — highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo
 
Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to: [email protected]

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.