Senior Accountant

Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at University of Chicago

Department

F&A Accounting

About the Department

Accounting Services is a function of Financial Services, which provides critical accounting and finance support to the University. Faculty, staff and the various contracting parties of the University are considered customers of Accounting Services. Under that concept, Accounting Services seeks to provide the highest level of customer service.

Job Summary

Under general direction, performs a variety of senior level accounting activities, which require advanced professional competency of accounting theories and principles at the senior non-management level. Examines, analyzes, and interprets complex accounting records for the purpose of ensuring compliance with accounting standards. Prepares income and balance statement, consolidated statements, and various other specialized accounting statements and reports. Advises others on accounting systems or other financial and budgetary data.

May recommend methods for improved operations to management. May provide functional advice or training to other team members.

Responsibilities

• Performs all related accounting functions required to maintain the general ledger in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and University policies and procedures.
• Prepares and reviews monthly reconciliation of balance sheet accounts as assigned.
• Performs monthly analysis of income statement activity.
• Leads the Self Insurance and Pension Accounting and Reporting.
• Records and maintains University internal loans and faculty loans, including the preparation of associated tax forms.
• Prepares various financial statements including but not limited to self‑insurance program, benefit plans, and University consolidated financial statements.
• Prepares year‑end work papers for auditors.
• Participates in the implementation of new accounting standards applicable to the University. These activities may include analysis and interpretation of new standards, documentation of applicability and accounting impact to consolidated financial statements as well as drafting any required disclosures.
• Manages external reporting for certain financial government surveys.
• Participates in overseeing the general accounting general inquiry ticketing system.
• Provides accounting support to campus units.
• Supports the annual tax reporting process. These activities may include preparing various supporting schedules.
• Participates in the maintenance of the Accounting Software.
• Develops income and balance sheet statements, consolidated statements, and various other specialized accounting statements and reports.
• Uses in‑depth knowledge and experience to perform a variety of complex operating or cost accounting activities, incorporating accounting theories and principles.
• Guides others and acts as a resource on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting.
• MBA or CPA.

Experience:

• Implementation of a new ERP system.
• Training or supervising team members.
• Public accounting experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with Oracle Cloud and related modules.
• Proficiency with automated account reconciliation tools, specifically Oracle ARCS.
• Communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail, strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Think strategically and translate into operational objectives.
• Independently develop and analyze alternative solutions and make recommendations.
• Establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.
• Flexibility to work effectively and gracefully under considerable time pressure on high‑visibility,…