Capital & Debt Accountant

About Rice:

Boasting a 300‑acre, tree‑lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6‑to‑1 undergraduate student‑to‑faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close‑knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

As a member of the Controller’s Office staff, the Capital and Debt Accountant will work directly with the Property Accounting Supervisor and is responsible for the following:

• Setup, capitalization, maintenance, and reporting of the University's capital projects
• Reporting of the University's outstanding debt transactions

This role involves attention to detail, effective communication with various departments, and proficient use of financial systems. This position plays a critical role in ensuring prompt and accurate reporting related to capital projects and debt within the University, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and adherence to financial guidelines.

Hybrid position:
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in‑office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

$56,560 – $70,599

* Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis may be substituted
• 2+ years of experience in capital and debt accounting
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis may be substituted

• Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles
• Proficiency in financial reporting tools and Oracle ERP system
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to interpret trends from complex financial data
• Detail‑oriented with a focus on accuracy and timeliness
• Ability to prioritize tasks and track multiple projects simultaneously

Capital Accounting:

• Receive and process new project requests, ensuring completeness and compliance with University policies
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for all projects to ensure accurate and timely communication with University stakeholders regarding project status and budgetary information
• Analyze project financials to provide insights to management, aiding in informed decision‑making regarding resource allocation and project prioritization
• Monitor project progress by reconciling Work in Progress (WIP) accounts, identifying and addressing variances or discrepancies as necessary
• Prepare financial statements and disclosures related to capital projects for external reporting purposes
• Conduct comprehensive monthly and quarterly analytical reviews of Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E)
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and explanations related to capital transactions
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of capital accounting functions within the organization, implementing best practices and continuous improvement initiatives
• Additional duties as assigned

Debt Accounting:

• Collaborate with the Treasury Office to record debt issuances, additions, and repayments
• Prepare and post monthly journal entries related to debt transactions, including…