TheSeniorAccountantisresponsiblefor one or more areas within the Department of Business Operations, and is expected to display considerable initiative in meeting deadlines, as well as identifying ways to improve and/or streamline processes within their area of responsibility.  At this level, considerable initiative and independent judgment are expected in resolving day-to-day problems, even where clear-cut guidelines are not available. The Senior Accountant can be involved in accounting for unrestricted liabilities; revising the Accounting and Fincancial Reporting Procedures Manual;  and compilation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Maryland Department of Education Annual Financial Report (AFR).TheSeniorAccountantworks closely withAssistant Controllers to apply methods in accordance with established principles so as to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.   

Performscomplexbooking,analysis,monitoringandreconciliationof asset, liability, revenue, expense and encumbrance entries;

Performs transactional uploads from internal and external computer systems and vouches data for posting to the general ledger, ensuring that fund check and other failures are resolved in a timely manner;

Maintains and balances subsidiary accounts by verifying, allocating, and reconciling transactions, as well as by resolving discrepancies;

Maintainscloseworkingrelationshipwithcross-sectional accounting, grant finance and otherteamsin the Business Management Services (BMS) Division;

Summarizes financial status by collecting information, preparing financial statements and reports, for internal and external users;

Supports month-end, quarter-end and year-end close processes, including the preparation of audit schedules, notes to the financial statements, statistical schedules and other sections of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR);

Develops and documents business processes, accounting policies, procedures and tools to strengthen internal controls and streamline compliance with School System, Government and donor regulations and requirements;

Interacts and closely communicates with program managers, analysts, accountants and other stakeholders to develop appropriate responses to audit findings and/or resolve compliance findings in audits;

Works with internal and external auditors on audits and program reviews within areas of responsibility;

Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks and participating in professional organizations;

Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Thorough knowledge of accounting theory, principles, regulations and applications related to a variety of situations and problems (i.e., reconciling accounts, preparing journal entries and year­end schedules);

Excellent team player -- poised and mature -- with the ability to be flexible, manage multiple priorities and have a proven capability to work independently and collaboratively with different levels of employees;

Expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and experience with cloud-based applications;

Considerable knowledge and experience with Oracle e-Business Suite (EBS) , specifically general ledger (GL), accounts payable (AP) sub-ledger accounting (SLA), and related reporting tools;

Highly detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to effectively manage multiple complex issues, entries and reconciliations, while maintaining confidentiality of information;

Ability to meet a constant stream of deadlines using superior analytical and problem-solving skills; and 

Effective oral and written communication skills.

 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or finance, master’s degree preferred; with at least five (5) years progressively responsible professional experience as an accountant, preferably working in a CPA firm auditing nonprofits and/or governmental agencies, in a governmental agency, or ideally, in a school system.

 

CPA, CMA, CFE, or CGFM preferred.

 

Technical and functional supervision of tasks performed by other support personnel (Accountants, Technicians, Clerks).

 

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.




The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.




None.