Senior Accounting Analyst at Colby College in Benton, Maine

Job Description:

Job Description
Department:Office of Financial ServicesPay Rate Type:SalaryEmployee Type:Job Summary:With a bold growth agenda for 2030, a strong balance sheet, and a decade of setting and achieving major strategic initiatives, now is an opportune time to join Colby College. Since 2014, the College's net assets have doubled to more than $2 billion, its record of fundraising has moved to the very top tier of liberal arts colleges, and it has rapidly expanded its faculty and staff to allow for new areas of inquiry, scholarship, teaching, and infrastructure to support record enrollments.


Reporting to the associate controller, the senior accounting analyst will provide analytical and technical accounting assistance to assigned functions including general accounting, revenue, accounts receivable, grants management, endowment accounting and other tasks as assigned. The successful candidate will be a key member of our team in optimizing our recently implemented ERP system (Workday) as we build excellence around processes and controls. Our team has a diverse range of backgrounds and experience, and we welcome and encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity. The team values kindness, clear communication, curiosity, accountability, and pride in Colby.


Colby employees enjoy a rewarding career with broad opportunities for continuing education and enrichment, health and wellness facilities and programming, generous benefits including dependent tuition (at any accredited college), opportunities for hybrid work scheduling, and college-wide holiday time off during the Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks in addition to paid time off.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Accounting:

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  Reconcile & analyze accounts in a timely manner to ensure accuracy. Document such analyses in a concise and clear manner

  
  


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  Prepare and post journal entries to record revenue from ancillary systems

  
  


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  Partner with Advancement Operations team to reconcile and record incoming miscellaneous revenue accurately in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

  
  


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  Assist with industry specific compliance data reporting requests

  
  


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  Review journal entries prepared by other department personnel for accuracy and compliance with policies and procedures

  
  


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  Coordinate miscellaneous invoicing and analyze related receivables balances. Support colleagues across the college with invoicing and billing tasks.

  
  


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  Analyze accounting processes and evaluate for continuous improvement. Timely document those activities

  
  


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  Maintain documentation of procedures and policies related to assigned tasks

  
  


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  Assist other departments with developing analytical reports and database extracts

  
  


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  Help with preparation of financial statements

  
  

Grants Management & Investment Accounting:

Cross train with the director of administrative financial services to provide coverage and backup of Grants Management and Endowment Accounting tasks, which may include:

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  Research issues, prepare invoices/billing, and collect funds for the support of restricted fund expenditures

  
  


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  Prepare or assist in the preparation of fiscal reports for sponsored programs and ensure timely submission thereof

  
  


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  Record monthly investment portfolio results for Colby's endowment valued over $1.1 billion and encompassing over 1,500 gift funds

  
  


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  Create, review, and adjust restricted gifts in Workday

  
  


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  Record activity and prepare reporting for Trusts and Annuities

  
  


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  Compile year-end reports, work papers, and analyses necessary for the independent auditors to complete the annual audit

  
  

Tax Preparation:

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  Primary preparer of sales tax returns; assist associate controller, director of administrative financial services, and controller with deliverables for 990 and 990T

  
  


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  Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

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  Bachelor's degree or the equivalent in education and experience

  
  


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  Minimum of 5 years of related work experience in a similar role

  
  


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  Relative work experience in higher education or comparably sized accounting operation in a mid-large size organization preferred

  
  


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  CPA preferred

  
  


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  Enthusiasm for building process, structure, and documentation around the annual and interim financial reporting processes

  
  


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  Expertise with invoicing and receivables

  
  


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  Experience with accounting information and ERP systems required; Workday experience preferred; Workday grant and endowment accounting experience a big plus

  
  


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  Advanced experience with Microsoft Excel

  
  


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  Friendly and collaborative approach to problem solving

  
  


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  Growth minded and solutions oriented

  
  


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  Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and sound judgement

  
  

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the associate controller, this position has significant interactions with administrators, faculty, staff, and other outside constituencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Ability to move around campus is required as is some travel.