Title: Accountant I

Institution: Jackson State Community College

Job Summary

The Accountant I will be responsible for performing a variety of accounting tasks to support the financial operations of the college. This involves assisting with data entry, preparing financial statements, reconciling accounts, processing invoices, and supporting month-end closing activities. The Accountant I will work closely with senior accounting staff to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards and regulations.

Job Duties

• Record Financial Transactions: Assist with recording and classifying financial transactions into the Banner Finance/Banner HR systems.
• Track and maintain fixed assets, ensuring proper categorization, documentation, and depreciation schedules.
• Account Reconciliation: Reconcile bank statements and accounts payable, ensuring accuracy and resolving discrepancies.
• Prepare Financial Reports: Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Assist with Budgeting: Support in the preparation of budgets and forecasts, ensuring adherence to financial policies and procedures.
• Data Entry and Analysis: Perform data entry for financial transactions, process journal entries, and analyze financial data to identify trends and discrepancies.
• Tax Compliance: Assist with the preparation of sales tax filings.
• Audit Support: Provide support during internal and external audits by preparing requested documentation and explanations for transactions.
• Month-End Closing: Assist in month-end closing activities, including journal entries, account analysis, and reconciliation.
• Maintain Financial Records: Ensure proper filing and organization of financial records and documentation.
• Reconcile and Draw Funds from G5 system for Federal Funding.
• Daily review of accounting codes on purchase requisitions to ensure accuracy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of general accounting experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and financial record-keeping.
• Ability to identify issues and discrepancies, providing solutions in a timely manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and public relations communication skills; ability to effectively communicate using written and verbal skills.
• Ability to perform complex accounting calculations.
• Banner database software knowledge or experience is a plus.
• Reasoning ability required in decision-making, applying relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations and performing various tasks.
• Office administration, time management, organizational, and scheduling skills required. Knowledge of GAAP, budget management, and financial accounting. Must be able to exercise ethics and maintain confidentiality.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with basic accounting principles, financial reporting, and office software.
• Understanding of fixed asset management, bank reconciliation, and credit card reconciliation processes.
• Understanding of journal entries, ledgers, and the chart of accounts.
• Knowledge of how to prepare, read, and interpret financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Knowledge of fixed asset tracking, depreciation methods, and asset accounting procedures.
• Familiarity with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle) and proficiency in Microsoft Excel for financial analysis, reporting, and budgeting.

Pay Rate:  $40,896 - $51,120 (Annual salary depending on eligible experience which is defined by the current compensation plan.)

Open Until Filled: Yes; for best consideration, apply by: 01/18/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To be considered for this position, you must submit an application.  Prior applications will not be used to fill this vacancy.  

A completed satisfactory background check will be required before hire.