Accountant

Description

Recruitment Period: 10/06/2026 - Until Filled

Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week

Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$52,800-Annual Maximum Salary-$79,200

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy enrolling over 550 students annually. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five-state region.

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment with PNWU. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law.

General Summary:

The Accountant performs professional accounting work in support of the University’s financial operations and reporting. The position is responsible for general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, fixed asset support, financial schedules, account research, and other recurring accounting activities.

The Accountant supports timely and accurate monthly and year-end close processes, maintains complete and well-supported financial records, and works collaboratively with Finance staff and University departments to research and resolve accounting matters.

The Accountant establishes credibility through consistent, accurate, and well-documented work; takes ownership of assigned responsibilities and follows through on deadlines; and builds positive working relationships across Finance and the University. The position approaches discrepancies with curiosity and sound judgment, welcomes feedback as a path to growth, and understands that careful stewardship of PNWU’s financial records supports the students and communities the University serves.

Essential Job Functions:

General Accounting and Monthly Close

• Prepare recurring and non-recurring journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Perform monthly reconciliations of assigned general ledger and balance sheet accounts and research and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain assigned account schedules and ensure transactions are accurately recorded, classified, and supported.
• Participate in monthly and year-end close processes and complete assigned responsibilities within established deadlines.
• Review assigned account activity for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate coding.
• Research discrepancies, unusual transactions, and reconciling items and communicate unresolved or significant issues to the Controller.
• Assist with accruals, allocations, prepaid expenses, and other recurring accounting activities.
• Maintain organized and complete documentation supporting accounting transactions and reconciliations.

Cash and Balance Sheet Accounting

• Prepare assigned bank, cash, and other balance sheet reconciliations. 
• Research outstanding or unusual reconciling items and coordinate corrections as necessary.
• Assist with recording and reconciliation of cash receipts, transfers, investment activity, and other cash-related transactions.
• Support reconciliation between subsidiary systems and the general ledger.
• Assist with maintaining schedules supporting receivables, liabilities, prepaid expenses, deposits, and other assigned balance sheet accounts.

Fixed Assets and Other Accounting Responsibilities

• Maintain fixed asset records and supporting documentation for additions, disposals, transfers, and other asset activity. 
• Assist with preparation and recording of depreciation and reconciliation of fixed asset records to the general ledger.
• Review capital purchases for appropriate supporting documentation and classification under University capitalization policies.
• Assist with accounting and reconciliation activities for leases, restricted funds, grants, capital projects, and other assigned areas.
• Maintain recurring schedules and supporting documentation for assigned financial statement accounts.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Assist with preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and supporting schedules.
• Prepare recurring financial reports and account analyses as assigned.
• Research account activity and assist with explanations of financial statement and budget variances.
• Provide accurate actual financial information to support budgeting, forecasting, and other financial analysis.
• Respond to routine accounting and transaction questions from University departments and assist with account research and coding, communicating clearly and patiently with non-financial colleagues.

Audit and Compliance

• Prepare assigned schedules, reconciliations, workpapers, and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit and other audits or reviews.
• Assist with responses to auditor requests and research supporting financial transactions as needed.
• Maintain financial records and documentation in accordance with University policies, internal control requirements, and applicable record-retention standards.
• Assist with financial information required for tax filings, regulatory reporting, and other external reporting.
• Identify accounting errors, unusual transactions, or potential control concerns and communicate them promptly to the Controller.

Financial Systems and Process Improvement

• Maintain proficiency in the University’s financial systems and related reporting tools.
• Assist with testing and implementation of financial system upgrades, ERP changes, interfaces, and process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve recurring accounting processes, reconciliations, documentation, and efficiency.
• Assist with development and maintenance of written accounting procedures.
• Support efforts to automate manual accounting processes while maintaining appropriate internal controls.

Finance Team Collaboration and Professional Practice

• Work collaboratively with the Senior Accountant, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Student Accounts, Budget & Financial Planning, and other Finance functions.
• Provide backup support for accounting and other Finance responsibilities as assigned and appropriately cross-trained, and assist Finance team members and University departments with account research and resolution of financial issues.
• Participate in Finance projects, system implementations, and process-improvement initiatives.
• Take initiative and ownership for assigned work, follow through on commitments, and communicate early when a deadline or result is at risk.
• Build trusting working relationships across Finance and with University departments, clarifying expectations and roles before and during shared work and including the right people in the right conversations.
• Resolve differences constructively and with care, listening to understand others’ perspectives and engaging in honest dialogue when there is disagreement.
• Actively seek and apply feedback, regularly ask whether the work is being done right, and pursue continuous learning and technical growth relevant to current and future responsibilities.
• Connect daily work to PNWU’s mission of serving rural and medically underserved communities, understanding how accurate, well-stewarded financial information supports students and the University.

Other duties as assigned

• Understands and adheres to accreditation standards and expectations specific to the department.

 Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Pro-rated based on hours/week. For this role, our anticipated hiring range is $52,800-$79,200/annual)

Every range at PNWU divides into four quartiles anchored at the midpoint. Quartile placement blends what a person brings and how they perform, which is our commitment to behaviors and results expressed in placement mechanics. The general framework:

• 1st Quartile ($52,800-$59,400/annual). New to this level or role. Brings relevant experience but is new to the scope of work at this level; developing the full breadth of the role; generally 0 to 3 years at this level. Meets expectations and is still establishing a track record.
• 2nd Quartile ($59,400-$66,000/annual). Developing to proficient; generally 3 to 5 years at this level or equivalent. Proficient across core responsibilities, consistently meets and sometimes exceeds expectations, and has established credibility with colleagues and partners.
• 3rd Quartile ($66,000-$72,600/annual). Fully qualified and performing at market rate. The midpoint marks the fully qualified employee whose performance is satisfactory in all respects. Substantial experience, generally 5 to 10 years; consistently strong performance; serves as a trusted expert resource.
• 4th Quartile ($72,600-$79,200/annual). Highly skilled, consistently high-performing, high-contributing. Extensive experience, typically 10 or more years; recognized institutional expert whose work adds significant value. Reserved for the most senior and exceptional cases.

Requirements

Education

•  A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution. 

Experience:

•  Two years of professional accounting experience, including experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and journal entries.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of accounting principles and practices, with strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and research issues through resolution.
• Integrity, accountability, and sound professional judgment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to meet recurring deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain accounting matters clearly to non-financial colleagues.
• Proficiency with financial systems, spreadsheets, and related reporting tools.
• Reliability, ownership, and follow-through, with a track record of delivering accurate work on recurring deadlines.
• Ability to solve non-routine problems with curiosity and sound judgment, and to recognize when a matter should be escalated.
• Ability to build trusting working relationships across Finance and with departments throughout the University.
• Openness to feedback and a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
• Emotional intelligence and flexibility in navigating change, ambiguity, and differences in communication style and workstyle.
• Ability to connect day-to-day financial work to PNWU’s mission and to the students and communities the University serves.
• Commitment to internal controls, documentation, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship of University resources.

To ensure full consideration submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position.
• Detailed resume.
• Contact information for three professional references.

The job announcement above is not the full job description but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

Benefit Package:

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, 509.452.5100.