Accounting Generalist

Posting number: 22-00602

Department: Finance

Job classification: Accounting Generalist

Posting type: Open

Categories: Accounting and Finance

Summary

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The Accounting Generalist performs a broad range of professional accounting and financial support functions that contribute to the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of the College's financial records and reporting. The position is responsible for general ledger accounting, cash management, reconciliations, financial reporting, journal entries, compliance activities, and audit support while maintaining strong internal controls and exceptional customer service.
Working collaboratively across the College, the Accounting Generalist researches and resolves accounting discrepancies, develops financial analyses and reports, assists with monthly and year-end closing activities, and recommends process improvements that promote operational efficiency and sound financial stewardship. This position serves as an integral member of the Accounting Services team and supports the College's commitment to fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Examples of duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Prepares journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation and ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
2. Reconciles assigned general ledger and bank accounts, researching and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
3. Participates in monthly and year-end financial close activities by preparing reconciliations, account analyses, and supporting schedules.
4. Tracks and reconciles prepaid expenses and prepares amortization schedules in accordance with accounting policies.
5. Develops and maintains financial spreadsheets, reconciliations, and analysis tools used for financial reporting and decision making.
6. Monitors daily bank activity to support cash management, identify unusual transactions, and resolve banking issues.
7. Processes weekly check runs, ACH transactions, Positive Pay uploads, and related payment activities while ensuring appropriate internal controls.
8. Manages travel advances and student travel petty cash, including reconciliation and accountability for Athletics.
9. Maintains and reconciles departmental petty cash funds.
10. Prepares assigned financial schedules, reconciliations, and portions of the monthly Board of Trustees financial reports.
11. Prepares audit workpapers and supporting documentation for internal and external audits.
12. Assists with internal control reviews and recommends improvements to accounting processes and procedures.
13. Compiles and submits annual Unclaimed Property reports and maintains related records.
14. Maintains accounting records in accordance with College record retention requirements.
15. Maintains fuel tax documentation and other required regulatory filings.
16. Reviews, reconciles, and records transactions related to purchase cards, campus services, printing, postage, and pool vehicles.
17. Performs accounting support related to VEBA transactions and reporting.
18. Researches and resolves accounting discrepancies while providing timely follow-up to departments and vendors.
19. Runs Fund 30 variance reports, researches exceptions, and works collaboratively with departments to resolve issues.
20. Provides accounting guidance to College departments regarding financial procedures, account coding, and accounting processes.
21. Responds professionally to inquiries from employees, students, vendors, auditors, banks, and external agencies.
22. Safeguards confidential financial, payroll, and protected information in accordance with applicable laws and College policies.
23. Participates in cross-training activities and serves as a resource and backup within the Finance Division.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Assists with preparation of the annual operating budget.
2. Assists with gathering and preparing independent contractor and IRS Form 1099 information.
3. Assists with periodic physical inventories of College assets.
4. Serves as backup for other Finance Division positions.
5. Participates in special projects, process improvement initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
6. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.)

1. Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field required. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
2. Two years of progressively responsible accounting experience required; experience in higher education, governmental, or nonprofit accounting preferred.
3. Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), financial reconciliations, and internal controls preferred.
4. Experience with integrated financial management systems (ERP) required.
5. Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel required, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and basic data analysis. Experience with Microsoft Office 365 required.
6. Strong verbal, written, organizational, analytical, and customer service skills required.
7. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling financial information.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the described job; it is not an all-encompassing statement of all the work requirements that may be necessary to perform the job.

Supplemental information

OVERALL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Demonstrates Black Hawk College's Core Values in daily work.
2. Performs work accurately, efficiently, and within established deadlines.
3. Maintains current knowledge of accounting standards, College policies, and applicable regulations.
4. Maintains confidentiality of financial and employee information.
5. Exercises sound judgment, professionalism, and ethical decision-making.
6. Demonstrates strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
7. Works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
8. Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and enhance customer service.
9. Demonstrates initiative and continued growth in technical accounting knowledge and professional responsibilities.

PRINCIPAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Director for Accounting, Accounting Manager, and Finance Division staff
2. Human Resources, Payroll, Purchasing, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and other College departments
3. Vendors, financial institutions, auditors, governmental agencies, and external partners
4. Students, employees, and members of the public