Sr Accountant / Accountant III - San Diego State University Research Foundation

Overview

• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after November 19, 2024.
• The salary is $6,333.33 - $7,083.33 per month depending upon qualifications and internal equities and is non-negotiable. 
• This position works a hybrid schedule of two in-office days and 3 remote days per week. 
• The incumbent must live a commutable distance from SDSU upon hire. 

WHO WE ARE

Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU is one of the top public research universities in the nation, furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work.

WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT DOES

Financial Services is a major organizational unit responsible for the general accounting function, internal controls, audits, banking services, cash management, investments, cashiering, billing and collections of receivables, administering gifts, bequests and trusts, negotiating and administering facilities and administrative cost recovery rates, annual corporate budget, tax and financial functions, purchasing and payroll functions of the Research Foundation and is responsible for the care, custody and control of all Research Foundation assets. 

YOUR ROLE IN CREATING THE UNIVERSITY’S PRESENT AND FUTURE

The Senior Accountant/Accountant III performs a variety of tasks in support of the Financial Services department of SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF). Under general direction of the Associate Director of Finance and Accounting, performs project leadership in large and/or complex systems with broad impact. Requires knowledge and understanding of accounting procedures, financial record-keeping methods, practices, and a general knowledge of governmental financial record-keeping standards.  Incumbent is required to work independently and exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing information and making decisions consistent with standard practice and established guidelines. Reconcile complex reports and financial data; prepare journal entries; resolve problems associated with incorrect entries. The position interfaces with senior executives, auditors, other auxiliaries, university personnel and a variety of external agencies. This position requires organization, detail orientation, flexibility and to be proactive, resourceful, and able to complete high volumes of complex tasks and projects quickly meeting tight deadlines. The position is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of one or more accounting staff.

Responsibilities

THE WORK YOU WILL DO AND MANAGE

Supervision and Development, Project Management (30%)

• General supervision of one or more accounting staff. Train, provide technical advice and consultation on a daily basis, coordinate workload, review work for accuracy, suggest employee development, and prepare performance evaluations.
• Direct staff activities to comply with established SDSURF administrative policies and procedures and acceptable accounting standards.
• Lead and assist with projects that require substantial judgment and discretion, broad-based analytical skills, and collaboration with other SDSU Research Foundation departments, university and/or other auxiliary personnel. Projects will generally result in recommending and implementing changes to the documentation and maintenance of business processes, standards and procedures.
• Maintain a level of financial reporting knowledge to detect relevant issues, research applicable regulations, make recommendations and direct staff activities to comply with SDSURF policy and comply with financial reporting requirements.

Investments, Endowments, Banking, and Cash Management (25%)

• Liaison between banks and SDSU Research Foundation.
• Oversee the bank reconciliation process either preparing or reviewing the process to book all outstanding banking related items found in the bank statements.
• Coordinate with bank regarding checks and direct deposit transmissions, positive pay exceptions, unidentified incoming wires, returned outgoing wires, ACH, EFT’s, and any unreconciled items.
• Prepare general fund investment account reconciliations, journal entries, and analysis.
• Prepare quarterly amortization of bond premium/discount and market value change journal entries.
• Perform complex reconciliation of The Campanile Foundation endowment pool utilizing endowment software requiring comprehensive knowledge of endowment accounting, analysis, judgment and investment policies.
• Prepare quarterly endowment journal entries to allocate activity, market value gains or losses and income distributions.
• Prepare quarterly summary of investments report for Cash Equivalents Pool and the SDSURF portion of the TCF endowment pool.
• Review stock donation reconciliations and journal entries to record interest income, accruals, and fees.
• Set up new endowment and scholarship funds. Assist The Campanile Foundation with inquiries about endowments and scholarships.
• Prepare necessary audit schedules related to endowments for SDSU Research Foundation, KPBS and The Campanile Foundation.
• Prepare investment report (on investment results and assets under management) for the Finance and Investment Committee quarterly.
• Review the administration, processing, reconciliation, reporting and escheatment of outstanding checks.
• Assist with year-end cash balance planning.
• Prepare current income pool valuation, related journal entries and Summary of Investment Schedules related to the Current Income Pool.
• Prepare mid-year, 9-month and annual investment income budget. Project investment income with varying assumptions using forecasting models.

Merchant Account Administration and PCI Compliance (15%)

• Back-up the administrator on merchant and credit card activities.
• Review cost analysis and distribution of merchant fees to all the merchant accounts.
• Lead the PCI (Payment Card Industry) Compliance effort with assistance from an accounting administrator: Responsible for ensuring that SDSURF as a whole is in compliance with the standards of the credit card industry. Task requires interaction with the university security office, SDSURF security manager, credit card processors, bank and projects and agencies with merchant accounts.
• Coordinates with the university security office in preparing surveys, reports and attestations of compliance.

Monthly and Year-end Close and Financial Reporting (20%)

• Review, prepare and analyze year-end audit schedules, adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures for financial audit. Address audit questions covering area of responsibility and "walk-throughs" – e.g. tracing a transaction through its complete cycle.
• Prepare monthly journal entries for TCF admin fees.
• Review and interpret monthly financial statements and reconciliations to identify problems and ensure that accounting systems comply with established administrative policies.
• Create reports and/or ad-hoc queries from the financial system data in support of duties listed above utilizing a thorough understanding of SDSU Research Foundation’s financial system (Banner) general ledger, operating ledger, grant ledger and related sub-systems.
• Review, prepare and submit journal entries.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (10%)

This position may be requested to lead or assist with projects that require broad-based analytical skills and make resulting recommendations or provide information. Such projects often include collaborating with key university or SDSURF employees and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

THE SKILLS WE NEED

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices; fund accounting; statistical and arithmetic presentation of data.
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting procedures, financial record-keeping methods, procedures and practices and a general knowledge of governmental financial record-keeping methods.
• Knowledge of account reconciling, reviewing complex reports and financial data; preparing journal entries and resolving problems associated with incorrect entries
• Knowledge of the accounting cycle pertaining to budgeting, accounting, reporting and auditing
• Knowledge of federal, state and private agency funding regulations.
• Knowledge of investment accounting
• Knowledge of invoicing requirements and financial reporting duties
• Knowledge of escheat procedures, rules, and regulations
• Ability to supervise employees and provide feedback on performance, disciplinary action and coaching and counseling
• Ability to provide training, guidance and assistance to other employees
• Ability to identify potential actual or potential problems and recommend corrective or preventative action
• Ability to demonstrate excellent computer skills with demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Access
• Ability to learn and apply laws, rules, and procedures related to governmental accounting; interpret and follow instructions and policy guidelines; analyze financial and statistical data and draw sound conclusions; utilize problem-solving techniques; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently and exercises initiative and judgment in analyzing information and making decisions consistent with standard practice and established guidelines.

• Ability to provide leadership, positive guidance and effective support to staff.
• Ability to organize and plan work including handling multiple priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and outside the work group and serve as liaison for the organizational unit.
• Ability to arrive to work on time, understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to be organized, meet deadlines, display detail orientation; possess good judgment and common sense.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to complete work within strict deadlines.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in an office or administrative environment.

Required Experience and Education

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or a related field; or a combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.  
• 5 years of professional level accounting experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, business administration or related field 
• Experience with higher education and/or related auxiliary organizations 
• Experience with Banner Finance environment 
• Experience working in a university or non-profit environment 

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life and disability insurance plans
• Generous employer contributed 403b retirement plan. We match 200% on the first 5% of contributions, up to 10% maximum employer matching contribution. All contributions are 100% vested.
• Vacation and sick leave accruals
• 14 paid holidays and 1 annual personal holiday
• Hybrid in-office/telework arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Access to campus amenities, including Love Library, Aztec Lanes bowling alley, SDSU transit center, and a variety of coffee shops and eateries.
• Discounted Aztec Recreation Center gym membership and SDSU events
• Wellness workshops

HOW TO APPLY AND TIPS FOR MAKING IT THROUGH OUR HIRING PROCESS

You must apply through the SDSURF Career Page. Make sure your application is complete.  Including a resume and cover letter is recommended. Respond to supplemental questions thoroughly.

WHAT OUR HIRING PROCESS IS LIKE

We work as fast as we can to make hiring decisions. However, it may take several weeks for all the parties involved to review your application. We keep in touch each step of the way and inform you of the status of your application.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• Applicant must reside in California within a commutable distance from SDSU.
• This position is open until filled.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with SDSU Research Foundation.
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer.