Senior Accountant

Description

Recruitment Period: 10/07/2026 - Until Filled

Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week

Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$67,200-Annual Maximum Salary-$107,500

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 Senior Accountant performs advanced professional accounting work in support of the University’s financial reporting and accounting operations. The position is responsible for complex general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, financial reporting support, fixed assets, grants and restricted funds, audit schedules, and other assigned accounting activities.

The Senior Accountant works independently to research and resolve accounting issues, analyzes financial information for accuracy and reasonableness, and supports timely and accurate monthly and year-end close processes. The position serves as a key accounting resource to the Controller and provides guidance and backup support across Finance functions as needed.

The Senior Accountant brings initiative, ownership, and consistent follow-through to the work, establishes credibility through high-quality and well-documented results, and builds trusting relationships across Finance and the University. The position shares technical knowledge generously with colleagues, seeks and applies feedback, and approaches complex, non-routine problems with curiosity and sound judgment, understanding that reliable financial information supports the students and communities PNWU serves.

Essential Job Functions:

Duties an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

General Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Perform advanced general ledger accounting, including preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, allocations, and other financial adjustments.
• Maintain assigned balance sheet and income statement accounts and ensure activity is accurate, complete, properly supported, and reconciled timely.
• Participate in monthly and year-end close processes and assist the Controller in ensuring established close deadlines are met.
• Assist with preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Analyze account activity, financial results, and variances; research unusual or unexpected activity and recommend appropriate corrections.
• Research and resolve complex accounting issues and document conclusions and supporting analysis.
• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting financial transactions, reconciliations, and accounting conclusions.

Specialized Accounting

• Perform accounting and reconciliation activities for restricted and designated funds, grants, fixed assets, leases, debt, investments, and other assigned areas.
• Maintain fixed asset records and related depreciation schedules and ensure additions, disposals, transfers, and construction activity are appropriately recorded.
• Support grant and restricted-fund accounting, including review of activity for appropriate classification and compliance with applicable restrictions.
• Assist with accounting for capital projects and ensure expenditures are appropriately classified in accordance with University capitalization policies.
• Prepare and maintain assigned supporting schedules for significant balance sheet and financial statement accounts.

Audit and Compliance

• Prepare assigned schedules, reconciliations, workpapers, and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit and other audits or reviews.
• Respond to auditor requests and assist with research and resolution of audit questions.
• Assist with preparation of financial information supporting Form 990 and other regulatory or external reporting requirements.
• Maintain accounting records and supporting documentation in accordance with University policies, internal control requirements, and applicable record-retention standards.
• Identify accounting errors, unusual transactions, control concerns, or other financial issues and communicate them promptly to the Controller.

Financial Analysis and Support

• Perform financial analysis and prepare reports to support Finance and University decision-making.
• Analyze trends and account activity and assist with explanations of significant financial statement variances.
• Provide actual financial information and accounting support to the Director of Budget & Financial Planning for budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Assist University departments with accounting questions, account research, transaction coding, and interpretation of financial information, communicating clearly and patiently with non-financial colleagues.
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports and analyses as requested.

Financial Systems and Process Improvement

• Maintain proficiency in the University’s financial systems and related reporting tools.
• Participate in testing, implementation, and improvement of ERP, financial reporting, and other systems affecting accounting operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, documentation, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Assist with development and maintenance of accounting procedures and standardized work processes.
• Support automation and transition from manual processes where appropriate while maintaining effective financial controls.

Finance Team Collaboration and Professional Practice

• Serve as an accounting resource to other Finance team members, sharing knowledge generously and providing technical guidance as appropriate.
• Provide backup support for critical accounting and Finance functions as assigned, and assist with cross-training and documentation of accounting procedures.
• Work collaboratively with Accounts Payable, Payroll, Student Accounts, Budget & Financial Planning, and other University departments to resolve financial issues.
• 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

Standard Institutional Requirements (apply to all roles):

• Performs job duties in accordance with safety, legal, and regulatory requirements; University policy and procedures; and accepted business practices.
• Acts with the highest level of professional ethical standards in all aspects of job performance, in accordance with the mission and values of PNWU.
• 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 $67,200/$107,500 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 ($67,200-$77,250/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 ($77,250-$87,300/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 ($87,300-$97,400/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 ($97,400-$107,500/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 & Experience:

To perform the essential functions of this position, the incumbent must have:

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution. AND Four years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting. OR
• 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:

• Strong accounting knowledge, attention to detail, and analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently research, analyze, and resolve complex accounting issues.
• Experience in financial systems and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms.
• Experience preparing audit schedules and supporting external financial statement audits.
• Sound professional judgment, integrity, and commitment to accuracy, with the ability to recognize unusual financial activity and communicate concerns appropriately.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain accounting matters clearly to non-financial colleagues and to provide technical guidance to peers.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• 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 documentation, internal controls, 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.