Senior Accountant

POSITION TITLE: Senior Accountant

DIVISION: Administration

DEPARTMENT: Business Office

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager of Finance and Accounting

PAY TYPE: Exempt/

WORKER TYPE: Full-Time

UPDATED: March 2025

PAY: $60,000 - $70,000

The Senior Accountant plays a crucial role in supporting the financial integrity of the institution by providing advanced accounting support to the Senior Manager of Finance & Accounting (“Senior Manager”), Associate Vice President (“AVP”) of Finance & Accounting, and the Business Office. This position is responsible for maintaining financial records, reconciling accounts, preparing reports, and assisting with audits while ensuring compliance with accounting standards, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements.

Essential Functional Responsibilities:

• General Accounting & Financial Reporting
  • Maintain the General Ledger (GL) and generate financial reports.
  • Prepare monthly financial statements, budgets, and reports for review by the Senior Manager and distribute as needed.
  • Reconcile bank accounts and balance sheet accounts monthly.
  • Create journal entries for month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close, ensuring appropriate backup documentation.
  • Update and maintain Fixed Asset Ledgers for Property, Plant, & Equipment.
  • Oversee general ledger account structure, security, and maintenance of the chart of accounts.
• Audit & Compliance
  • Assist in preparation efforts of annual financial audit, including gathering required documentation and responding to audit inquiries.
  • Assist in preparation of documentation for other annual audits (including 403 b audit and single audit) and Form 990 tax return.
  • Support the preparation of federal, state and other institutional financial reports throughout the year.
• Payroll
  • Maintain accurate payroll records (faculty, and staff) according to current policies.
  • Process and verify payrolls, paychecks, and W2's prior to distribution.
  • Balance payroll records and prepare payroll-related journal entries.
  • Generate and distribute payroll reports to the appropriate parties.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure the confidentiality of all Business Office information.
• Serve as the primary backup for Accounts Payable and be cross-trained to support Accounts Receivable and student payroll functions.
• Oversee the purchasing card program, including compliance, documentation review, card issuance, limit management, and handling inquiries.
• Manage the expense reimbursement application and process, ensuring compliance with approval and documentation requirements and processing reimbursements through payroll.
• Maintain GL interfaces between financial systems (e.g., ADP, Apptricity, Cashnet/Transact) and Jenzabar.
• Stay informed on financial software upgrades and assess their impact on business operations.
• Design and maintain Business Office forms for interdepartmental use.
• Assist the Senior Manager with special projects and ad hoc reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervises the following:

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of accounting practices relevant to higher education.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention to detail skills.
• Strong computer software skills required; Microsoft Office Suite, general ledger, purchasing systems, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and/or related databases. Advanced Excel knowledge including Pivot Tables, LOOKUP’s, advanced calculations, and reporting.
• Ability to work independently, to begin and end projects as directed, and to follow through in obtaining relevant documentation and authorizations.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills. Detail oriented and able to handle multiple priorities simultaneously. Capable of effective priority setting and ability to meet deadlines.
• Integrity above reproach and ability to appropriately maintain confidential information associated with the Business Office, Human Resources, and other areas within KCAI.
• Excellent customer service skills. Ability to resolve/mediate conflicts in a constructive manner.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Calendar, etc.).
• Must have strong analytical, administrative, computer, organizational and detail skills.
• Works independently within a team environment and to effectively interact with all levels of KCAI management, staff, faculty, students, external agencies, and vendors.
• Possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to monitor own work for accuracy and thoroughness.
• Ability to clearly communicate in oral and written form.

Required Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting (or related field).
• Minimum three (3) years accounting experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years experience providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Experience with financial reports and systems.
• Advanced understanding and experience with accounting.

Preferred Experience/Education:

• Experience in a not-for-profit organization and/or higher education environment.
• Knowledge of endowments, temporarily restricted fund accounting, and federal grant reporting and compliance.

Statement

Kansas City Art Institute is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, gender identity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. KCAI provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need accommodation due to a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department about your interest in employment. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Kansas City Art Institute’s Human Resource Administrator at hr@kcai.edu .

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Disabled/Vets

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/bGr4wVC4kaaPQTbZPcVzyX