Sr. Accountant
- Employer
- Lamar University
- Location
- Beaumont, TX, TX
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- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The Senior Accountant is responsible for performing advanced professional accounting and financial analysis in support of the University's financial operations. This position ensures accuracy, integrity, and compliance of financial records through account reconciliations, journal entries, grant accounting, revenue and indirect cost tracking, financial reporting, and transaction analysis. The Senior Accountant supports post-award grant administration, maintains financial data within institutional and state accounting systems, and provides guidance and training to Accountant I and II staff. This role requires strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, along with a thorough understanding of accounting principles, regulatory requirements, and financial reporting processes.
- Grant Accounting and Financial Management
- Manage the financial administration of sponsored projects and grants from award setup through closeout. Establish grant budgets within the University's financial system, monitor expenditures and revenue activity, reconcile grant accounts monthly, and ensure compliance with sponsor, state, federal, and institutional requirements. Review financial transactions for allowability and accuracy, track indirect cost recovery, prepare financial reports as requested, and assist principal investigators and departmental personnel with grant-related financial matters.
- Financial Analysis, Reconciliations, and Reporting
- Perform complex account reconciliations and financial analyses to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the University's financial records. Reconcile general ledger accounts, cash balances, and subsidiary systems; research and resolve discrepancies; analyze financial trends and variances; and support the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. Assist in year-end closing activities and provide supporting documentation for internal and external reporting requirements.
- Journal Entries, Transaction Processing, and State Reporting
- Prepare, review, and process journal entries, cost allocations, corrections, payment applications, and other accounting transactions in a timely and accurate manner. Maintain financial records within Banner Finance and the State of Texas Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS), ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards, state regulations, and institutional policies. Support departmental accounting functions through transaction review and account maintenance.
- Accounts Management, Auditing, and Financial Compliance
- Support accounts payable and accounts receivable processes by reviewing invoices, reimbursements, deposits, and other financial transactions for accuracy and appropriateness. Assist with fixed asset accounting, encumbrance monitoring, budgetto-actual analysis, and inventory reporting. Conduct transaction audits and account reviews to ensure compliance with internal controls, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), University policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Customer Service, Training, and Operational Support
- Provide professional accounting support and guidance to university departments, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. Monitor and respond to inquiries received through the post-award shared mailbox and other communication channels in a timely manner. Train and mentor Accountant I and Accountant II staff by providing instruction on accounting procedures, financial systems, and compliance requirements. Collaborate across departments to support operational efficiency and continuous improvement of financial processes.
- Three years in accounting/business office experience.
- Advanced Degree in business or CPA
- Five years of business experience
- Five years of ERP experience - Banner, USAS, Cardinal Purchasing
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal, state, university, and NACUBO guidelines
- Excel and Database management experience
- Familiarity with MS Excel & Word & Outlook
- Able to analyze & reconcile accounts and data sets
- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
- Understand the concept of internal control
- Effective Communication skills
- Grant Experience
Job Conditions: Work is typically performed in an office environment during normal business hours. Occasional extended hours may be required to meet operational needs, reporting deadlines, or special projects.
Who We Are:
Home to more than 18,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.
Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.
Special Note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
Organization
Texas Roots. Infinite Possibilities.
Lamar University students enjoy small classes where they can build lasting friendships with professors and peers. The 270-acre campus is in Beaumont, Texas, located about 90 miles east of Houston and 25 miles west of the Louisiana border. A comprehensive public university, Lamar gives students a chance to explore a variety of interests to prepare them to succeed in whatever fields they choose.
Academics
A member of the Texas State University System, Lamar University offers 63 undergraduate, 47 master's and nine doctoral degree programs. The university has more than 13,000 students enrolled in five academic colleges - Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Fine Arts and Communication. Lamar also offers the College of Graduate Studies and academic programs such as the Center for General Studies.
Students have access to numerous opportunities for scholarships, undergraduate research and study abroad programs. Lamar University students have:
- Performed research for NASA and flown experiments on NASA reduced-gravity flights.
- Presented original research at academic conferences as undergraduates in fields including mathematics, business and sociology.
- Enjoyed a 73 percent acceptance rate to medical and dental schools in recent years, compared to a 39 percent acceptance rate statewide.
- Gone on to lead major companies and make a name for themselves in fields from art and music to nursing and engineering.
Athletics
Students can participate in or cheer on their peers in more than a dozen NCAA Division I sports. Last year, the Cardinals were Southland Conference champions in men's golf, cross country and women's tennis. The volleyball and men's basketball teams were regular season co-champs and the women's basketball team was Southland Conference East Division champion. The LU baseball program has produced several major leaguers. The women's soccer program is entering its second season. The golf team has topped national rankings in recent years.
LU is beginning to rebuild a football program. A coach was hired in 2008. The stadium and athletic complex are being renovated, and the Cardinals plan to return to the gridiron in 2010.
Campus Life
A building boom at Lamar University in the past decade has given students access to state-of-the art facilities for learning, playing, dining and living.
Residents of Cardinal Village, the modern residence halls, have private bedrooms, high-speed Internet and amenities including an outdoor pool, basketball courts and community centers. The new dining hall offers a bistro ambience with international and American cuisine.
Working out in the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center is like a trip to an exclusive gym where students have an automatic membership. Features include a 43-foot climbing wall, an elevated jogging track, new cardiovascular and weighttraining equipment, and courts for sports such as basketball, racquetball and indoor soccer. Competitive types can participate in intramural sports ranging from basketball and flag football to dodgeball, cricket and pool.
Making friends and building a social network is easy at Lamar with more than 100 clubs and organizations registered on campus. Through campus organizations, students can:
- Join a fraternity or sorority
- Get involved in community service
- Delve into a cause
- Nurture spiritual beliefs
- Start networking in future professions
- Do all of the above.
LU is a short drive from many outdoor adventures: a day at the beach, canoeing or fishing on area rivers and bayous, hiking in the Big Thicket National Preserve. Shopping and entertainment options also are nearby including theaters, museums and live music venues large and small.
History
Lamar University was founded in 1923 as South Park Junior College a few blocks from the current location. The name changed to Lamar College in 1932 to honor Mirabeau B. Lamar, second president of the Republic of Texas and the "Father of Education" in Texas. In 1951, the school became Lamar State College of Technology, a state-supported four-year institution, the first junior college in Texas to make such a transition. The name changed to Lamar University in 1971. The university joined the Texas State University System in 1995.
Visit/Apply
Visit campus to learn more about all Lamar University has to offer. Guided campus tours normally are scheduled at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To arrange a campus visit, call (409) 880-8316 or e-mail recruitment@lamar.edu
To apply for admission, financial aid and scholarships, go to http://lamar.edu/admissions
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