Accountant, Technical Accounting & Compliance
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html
Job No: 499644
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark/Hybrid
Categories: Financial Services and Procurement, Full Time
PAY GRADE: 30E
CONTEXT OF THE JOB:
Within University Finance, the Controller’s Office oversees University-wide financial accounting and reporting and performs related financial duties. The department maintains the official accounting records and related systems of internal control in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), University policy and procedures, and the requirements of federal and State governmental agencies and external funding sources. The department is also responsible for maintaining the accurate and timely recording of financial transactions and providing accounting and finance-related guidance to other University departments as needed.
Under the general direction of the Senior Manager of Technical Accounting & Compliance, the Accountant, Technical Accounting & Compliance demonstrates initiative and attention to detail to support the unit’s mission of providing technical accounting and compliance guidance, maintaining financial controls, assisting with financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with federal, State and local laws and regulations, external funding requirements, GAAP and FASB standards, University policies and industry best practices.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Financial Statements & Audit
- Assist the team with implementation of new accounting standards updates and maintaining/updating processes as necessary to ensure financial reporting compliance.
- Monitor and assist with providing guidance on GAAP treatment of University accounting for newly implemented accounting standards and/or high-priority areas, to include revenue recognition, lease accounting, postemployment and other areas as needed.
- Document technical accounting guidance and practices through memorandums and other written mediums to be used internally and by external auditors.
- Work with the Benefits department on the compilation of the active and retired employee census data that is provided to the University’s actuary on an annual basis; analyze data provided by Benefits to ensure accurate calculation of the University’s postemployment benefit obligations, including retiree medical and faculty retirement benefits.
- Assist with the preparation of the University’s consolidated financial statements, footnotes, workpapers and supplemental schedules by analyzing data, preparing various audit workpapers and agreeing to the financial statements.
- Research and respond to auditor questions and information requests that arise during interim and year-end financial statement audit.
Tax-Exempt Bond Compliance
- Assist with post-issuance compliance matters related to the University's debt portfolio.
- Ensure proper record-keeping for all documents related to the University's debt portfolio.
- Collect and document pertinent data and other information for periodic ratings, disclosures and rating agency surveys.
- Work with administrative assistant to oversee the timely remittance of debt-related invoices to the Accounts Payable team and interact with debt-related vendors and financial advisors as needed.
Accounting Processes & Compliance
- Analyze and assist with various accounting processes to ensure accounting is accurate, timely and sufficient to meet interim and year-end reporting and audit requirements.
- Assist with training provided by the Technical Accounting & Compliance team; provide follow-up assistance and tracking efforts post-training. Training currently includes but is not limited to the PeopleSoft asset and liability reconciliation tool, which is a central repository for reconciliations submitted by departments across the University.
- Reconcile select asset and liability purpose codes to subsidiary ledgers; document underlying business processes and reasons for fluctuations.
- Prepare and record asset, liability, revenue and expense entries by compiling and analyzing account information.
- Assist the tax reporting team with annual Schedule K filing for IRS Form 990.
- Recommend business process improvements.
- Prepare reports and analyses on a routine or ad-hoc basis; other duties/special projects as assigned.
- Through team training and self-guided research, develop and maintain knowledge of current and upcoming FASB pronouncements and other accounting and compliance-related guidance and requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field, and three years directly related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Higher education and/or not-for-profit accounting experience preferred
- CPA or CPA candidate preferred but not required. Note to CPA candidates: this position is under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA.
- Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
- Technical/accounting policy mindset.
- Knowledge of GAAP and FASB standards and guidance.
- Ability to research, understand, and communicate IRS publications, professional journals, financial reports, governmental regulations and legal contracts.
- Strong technical and business writing skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel with the desire and ability to independently enhance reporting through learning new Excel functions and tools; familiar with data handling best-practices, pivot tables, v-lookups, etc.
- Journal entry, general ledger and financial statement experience.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize workload and work both independently and as a member of a collaborative team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including high level of comfort with interacting with a collaborative team.
- Ability to provide explanations for financial transactions and general ledger activity to teammates, auditors and departmental leadership.
- Comfortable with initiating and responding to inquiries with external regulatory and other entities as well as with all levels of University staff.
- Ability to interact effectively and professionally with others.
- Team orientation and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be a collaborative team player, curious and disciplined with a strong desire for continuously making improvements.
- Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
- Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.
Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
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