Senior Accountant

About Franklin & Marshall College:

Senior Accountant

Franklin & Marshall College is seeking a dedicated, full-time Senior Accountant to join its Financial Operations team. Operating under the direct supervision of the campus Controller, this essential role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant institutional financial operations. The selected candidate will spearhead critical account reconciliations, manage ledger entries, and play an integral role in driving the college's month-end and year-end close processes.

Exceptional Employee Benefits

We support our staff with a competitive total rewards program designed to provide exceptional work-life harmony. Employees receive a generous 10% employer retirement contribution, alongside comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance coverage plans. To support your family, the college provides valuable tuition benefits for eligible dependents, while also offering generous paid vacation allocations and recognized holiday closures to ensure ample time for rest and recovery.

About Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall College, founded in 1787, is a residential college dedicated to excellence in undergraduate liberal arts education. The college thrives on forward-thinking growth, guided by a comprehensive new strategic plan currently under development. This vision animates dynamic new programs like the Venture and Impact Studio, which fosters student entrepreneurship, and the Mehlman Leadership and Performance Institute, which develops the next generation of leaders. Located in the city of Lancaster, the College integrates with the broader community, with the most recent example being a landmark eight-year partnership anchoring the college's baseball program at the professional Lancaster Stormers stadium.

To learn more about Lancaster, please go to https://landinlancasterpa.com

Job Description:

Franklin & Marshall College is recruiting for a full-time Senior Accountant. 

Job Details:

• Location: F&M Campus - Lancaster, PA
• Classification: Full-time, Exempt
• Schedule: 40 hours, Monday - Friday. May require evenings and weekends.
• Reports to: Controller
• Department: Finance & Administration
• Approved Salary Range: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00

Job Description:

The Senior Accountant supports accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations and reporting at Franklin & Marshall College. This position is responsible for preparing and analyzing financial data, reconciling accounts, supporting audit processes, and assisting with the preparation of financial statements.

Essential Functions:

• Core Accounting, Reporting, and Compliance 
  • Perform reconciliations for cash, prepaid expenses, accounts payable accruals, fixed assets, deferred revenue, restricted funds, grants, and other operational accounting areas as assigned. 
  • Maintain reconciliation documentation and supporting schedules of assigned monthly account reconciliations in accordance with departmental standards and audit requirements; investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner. 
  • Accurately prepare, review, and process journal entries, adjustments, accruals, and reclassifications impacting multiple funds, departments, and reporting units.
  • Prepare recurring and non-recurring journal entries in accordance with established accounting procedures. 
  • Prepare assigned components of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established timelines and internal controls.
  • Identify opportunities for process improvements, workflow efficiencies, and strengthened internal controls; assist with development and documentation of accounting procedures.
  • Assist in the preparation and review of financial reports and supporting schedules for internal and external stakeholders, including management, governing boards, and regulatory agencies.
  • Prepare and assist in the review of regulatory and compliance submissions including IRS Form 990, escheat and other state filings, NACUBO surveys, IPEDS finance schedules, and other higher education reporting requirements ensuring accuracy and compliance with reporting standards. 
  • Serve as backup support for critical accounting functions and participate in cross-training initiatives within Financial Operations.
  • Other duties as assigned.
• Audit, Controls, and Process/Policy Management 
  • Coordinate assigned audit support activities by preparing audit workpapers, schedules, and supporting documentation, and responding to auditor inquiries under the guidance of senior finance leadership.
  • Contribute to the development and documentation of accounting procedures, internal controls, and process improvements to enhance accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Operational Support, Collaboration, and Systems
  • Provide functional support to finance operations staff, including reviewing work for accuracy and offering guidance as needed; may assist with training and knowledge sharing.
  • Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and process improvement initiatives, including testing and validation of financial data and workflows.
  • Perform special projects and other related duties as assigned in support of institutional financial operations.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
• At least 5 years of accounting experience. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting/ERP systems (e.g., Banner, Workday, or similar).
• Knowledge of GAAP and internal control principles. 
• Ability to independently research and resolve accounting issues.
• Strong understanding of balance sheet reconciliations and month-end close processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both financial and non-financial staff.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Google Suite Products (Docs, Gmail, Sheets, Slides, Drive)
• Evidence of a commitment to community and belonging.
• Successful interview.
• Successful completion of background checks.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• CPA certification or progress toward CPA.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with fund accounting and endowment accounting principles.

Additional Information:

Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of reference checks, a criminal background verification, and verification of credentials.  The College will coordinate these verifications.

Full-time members of the Franklin & Marshall College professional staff receive competitive starting pay and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage, dental, vision, generous retirement savings plan contributions, education benefits for employees, spouses and dependent children, and enjoy access to all College facilities including dining venues to suit all tastes, recreation and fitness facilities, and libraries, plus access to College performances, lectures, and events. To learn more about our Benefits, please visit our Benefits Page.

Franklin & Marshall College is committed to having an inclusive campus community where all members are treated with dignity and respect. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the College does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender/gender-identity, sex, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, genetic information, family or marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.

Application Instructions:

All submitted materials must be submitted via this online process. We regret we are unable to accept applications or resumes submitted via mail, email, or fax. As you are submitting your application via this online process, please ensure that you provide an accurate email address. You will then receive an acknowledgment indicating that your application materials have been received. Individuals who need accommodations due to a disability in order to submit an application or attend an employment interview should contact Human Resources at (717) 358-3996.

If you experience difficulty submitting your resume or cover letter, please CLICK HERE for assistance. If you have previously applied online to a position at Franklin & Marshall College and want to check on your submission or make changes, please CLICK HERE to log back into your account.