Senior Accountant in Atchison, Kansas at Benedictine College

Department: Business Office

Job Status: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Controller

Amount of Travel Required: Typically none; occasional travel may be required.

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm CST

Positions Supervised: May supervise student workers or accounting assistants as assigned

Position Summary:

The Business Office of Benedictine College seeks a detail-oriented and highly skilled Senior Accountant to support the financial operations of the College. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting budgeting and forecasting activities, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations, and assisting with audit preparation and reporting requirements.

The Senior Accountant will play a key role in establishing financial processes and internal controls for Benedictine College, ensuring fiscal integrity and operational efficiency in a growing academic environment. The ideal candidate has strong accounting experience, excellent analytical & communication skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced and developing organizational structure.

Essential Functions:

• Participate in the day-to-day accounting operations for Benedictine College, including journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end & year-end close processes.
• Assist in the development, monitoring, and analysis of the College’s operating and restricted budgets.
• Prepare financial reports, forecasts, and variance analyses for leadership review and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, GAAP standards, and applicable federal, state, and accreditation-related financial requirements.
• Support audit preparation, and coordinate with external auditors as needed throughout the entire audit process.
• Maintain accurate general ledger accounts and ensure proper classification of revenues and expenditures.
• Assist in the development and implementation of financial procedures, internal controls, and best practices for Benedictine College.
• Process and review financial transactions for grants, including reimbursements, procurement activity, and expense reporting for both accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with institutional finance and accounting offices to ensure alignment with college-wide financial systems and reporting standards.
• Provide financial guidance and support to department leadership, faculty administrators, and staff.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual form 990. Also, provide support for federal & state tax returns, which includes serving as a liaison with external tax accountants.
• Serve as insurance liaison for the College to assist with filing claims, policy & pricing updates, address campus-wide insurance inquiries, and assist departments to ensure risk exposure is appropriately mitigated. Also manages the Workers Compensation audit function related to vendors providing proof of insurance to the College.
• Interface with bond legal counsel to ensure full compliance with all bond covenants. Coordinate with other Business Office employees who support this particular endeavor indirectly through their work. Responsibilities include calculating & analyzing ratios, while monitoring UBI compliance due to bond covenants.
• Calculate ratio forecasting and analysis for external reporting and Finance Committee presentations, including drafting variance explanations related to such ratios and analysis.
• General ledger maintenance. This includes creating and managing general ledger accounts, including closing the ledger annually.
• Monitor grant and restricted fund activity, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with funding requirements, including reporting to appropriate external agencies as well as for the annual audit. Liaison with various departments that are beneficiaries of grant monies, to collaborate on requirements from application through final reporting.
• Supervise student workers or entry-level accounting support staff, as assigned. Provide informal feedback and coaching when needed.
• Perform other duties, as assigned, in support of the financial integrity and mission of Benedictine College. This may include special projects or dedicated research to draw conclusions or analysis for management.

Position Qualifications:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting or finance experience required.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, or nonprofit accounting strongly preferred.
• Experience with budgeting, audits, and fund accounting highly desirable.
• Prior experience supporting a new program or organizational startup is a plus.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting standards (GAAP).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a complex environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems (Ellucian Colleague & Paylocity)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.

Writing Skills:

• Ability to prepare clear and professional financial reports and summaries.
• May be required to complete a technical accounting exercise for finalists.

Education:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Preferred: CPA designation or progress toward CPA certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Abilities

Stand O

Walk O

Sit C

Handling / Fingering O

Reach Outward O

Reach Above Shoulder O

Climb N

Crawl N

Squat or Kneel O

Bend O

Push / Pull

12 lbs or less O

13-25 lbs O

26-40 lbs N

41-100 lbs N

Lift /Carry

10 lbs or less O

11-20 lbs O

21-50 lbs N

51-100 lbs N

Over 100 lbs N

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation.

O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

EOE