The posting
Job Description
The Accountant is responsible for performing accounting operations related to the General Ledger, including recording, reviewing, reconciling, and analyzing financial transactions. This position supports monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing activities; prepares and reviews journal entries; performs account reconciliations; researches discrepancies; and ensures financial transactions are accurately recorded in accordance with University policies, accounting principles, and applicable regulations.
The Accountant works closely with departments across the organization to resolve accounting issues, provide financial guidance, and ensure transactions are properly classified and recorded in the General Ledger.
Responsibilities
- Perform daily General Ledger accounting operations and review financial transactions for accuracy, completeness, and proper account classification.
- Review journal entries submitted by University departments for appropriate Chart of Accounts (COA) coding, supporting documentation, accounting treatment, and compliance with University policies and procedures; approve journal entries that meet requirements and reject entries requiring correction or additional documentation.
- Prepare, review, and post journal entries, including correcting, recurring, accrual, reclassification, and year-end journal entries.
- Analyze General Ledger activity and research unusual or incorrect transactions.
- Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations and investigate and resolve variances.
- Assist with monthly and year-end closing activities, including reviewing outstanding transactions, accruals, encumbrances, and other year-end adjustments.
- Review account balances and financial activity to identify discrepancies, errors, or transactions requiring correction.
- Analyze encumbrances, reserves, accruals, prepaids, and other balance sheet and operating accounts as assigned.
- Prepare accounting schedules, worksheets, and supporting documentation for financial reporting and audit purposes.
- Assist with the preparation and review of financial reports and General Ledger inquiries.
- Research transactions across applicable financial systems and supporting documentation to determine the source and accuracy of activity.
- Review transactions originating from Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Payroll, Budget, Grants, and other financial areas to ensure proper accounting treatment.
- Receive direct deposit documentation and review the Chart of Accounts (COA) coding for accuracy and completeness prior to manager approval. Following required approval, prepare and submit the deposit documentation and supporting materials to the Bursar's Office for processing and deposit.
- Assist departments with accounting questions and provide guidance regarding appropriate account coding and financial procedures.
- Monitor transactions for compliance with accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and applicable accounting standards.
- Identify accounting discrepancies and coordinate with appropriate departments to resolve issues in a timely manner.
- Assist with year-end financial statement preparation and provide supporting documentation for internal and external audits.
- Maintain organized and accurate accounting records and documentation to support financial transactions and reconciliations.
- Assist with the development, implementation, and improvement of accounting procedures and internal controls.
- Participate in financial system implementation, upgrades, testing, and process-improvement initiatives as assigned.
- Perform research and analysis using the organization's financial systems and reporting tools.
- Provide backup support for other General Accounting functions as needed.
- Perform other related accounting duties and special projects as assigned.
General Ledger and Close Responsibilities
- Prepare and process month-end and year-end journal entries.
- Review General Ledger activity before and during period close.
- Reconcile assigned General Ledger accounts to supporting documentation and subsidiary records.
- Review open items, accruals, encumbrances, and other outstanding balances prior to period close.
- Research and resolve differences between the General Ledger and supporting systems.
- Assist with year-end closing procedures and financial reporting requirements.
- Ensure required supporting documentation is maintained for all significant accounting adjustments.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience: Experience in accounting, General Ledger, financial reporting, account reconciliation, or related accounting operations. Experience with an enterprise financial system or ERP environment is preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a higher education, governmental, nonprofit, or other complex accounting environment.
- Experience with Oracle Fusion or another enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
- Experience with financial system conversions, implementation, testing, or process improvements.
- Experience with year-end closing, encumbrances, accruals, reconciliations, and audit support.
- Experience preparing financial reports and analyzing General Ledger activity.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and fundamental accounting practices.
- Knowledge of General Ledger accounting and financial reporting processes.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to analyze financial transactions and identify discrepancies.
- Ability to prepare and review journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Ability to interpret financial data and supporting documentation.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to meet deadlines associated with monthly and year-end financial close.
- Ability to communicate effectively with accounting and non-accounting personnel.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial information.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to learn and effectively use ERP/financial systems and reporting tools.
- Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a team.
About Us
The University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master’s degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.
