"Accountant IV"

Overview

Responsible for providing financial information through the interpretation, analysis, reporting, and reconciliation of data. Converts financial data into the useful information that guides University and/or unit leadership to make informed decisions. Recommends improvements to systems, methods, practices, policies, and procedures through information review.

Directs and assists in developing the goals and activities of finance and administration for Operations units, focusing in the area of New Haven Affairs and University Properties. This position is responsible for developing and implementing the principles for the finance and administration area to meet needs across the University. This position will recommend the parameters for the development of reports, systems, and processes that will adhere to university wide policy. The position will work with stakeholders throughout the university to ensure their needs are met, work is designed using consistent principles and, provide consistent answers to financial questions. This position will play a role in data governance, as required, to meet the objectives. This position plays a key leadership role in providing timely, accurate, high quality financial work which can be used by leaders at Yale to make decisions and in the implementation and maintenance of a strong internal control environment, including partnering with external stakeholders such as Elm Campus Partners, Real Estate Advisors, LAZ Parking, Konover and Winstanley. This position will support internal and external audits as needed, and be responsible for maintaining accurate records and reporting used for tax purposes.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Exceptional organizational, and project management skills. Proven experience in managing multiple complex projects concurrently, organizing workloads, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
2. Experience with US GAAP accounting and reporting, a clear understand of audit processes and demonstrated application of financial, accounting and economic concepts, including tax and UBIT requirements.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner and to write comprehensive reports. Advanced skills in using the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel, Access, Word, Project, Outlook and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of ERP Systems.
4. Experience with systems including Workday, Lucernex, AssetWorks and Yardi.
5. Ability to work in diverse, cross-functional teams with limited guidance. Actively solicits differing opinions to ensure understanding of complex issues and acts in a manner that builds and maintains trust. Demonstrated ability to work independently to meet deadlines and the ability to work successfully in team settings and foster team structures and concepts. Ability to build strong relationships with all business partners and suppliers.

Preferred Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Economics or Finance and six years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated application of financial, accounting and economic concepts. CPA preferred

Principal Responsibilities

1. Financial Analysis and Reporting: Analyzes and synthesizes information and designs and creates accurate and timely reports that add value to the management of University operations. Advises and applies GAAP to specialized areas to properly report out on financial conditions. Designs financial reporting to meet the compliance needs of internal and external users. Extracts and consolidates data from multiple sources.
2. Financial methods and systems: Influences, plans, and designs methods to improve practices, processes and systems. Leads and partners with all levels of internal and external contacts to execute departmental and/or institutional level goals. Provides a high level of service that cultivates and maintains strong working relationships and effectively communicates information; takes ownership and accountability for timeliness, accuracy and relationship management.
3. Accounting and Reconciliation: Verifies enterprise or subsystem transactions are recorded correctly to ensure accuracy of balance sheets, income statements, and other financial activities. Performs complex multi-system reconciliations; navigates through multiple complex systems and reporting tools to independently investigate and resolve non-routine discrepancies. Plans, designs, and develops reporting tools. Regulates entries to the general ledger or subsystems and ensures adherence to GAAP, regulatory requirements and financial reporting considerations. Communicates effectively at all levels and applies sound judgment when handling highly sensitive information.
4. Strategic Resource: Translates department finance strategies into goals. Anticipates, identifies, and raises potential financial opportunities, issues, risks, ideas and solutions. Employs judgment and expertise in identifying the appropriate stakeholders to include in consultations, communications, approvals or buy-ins for designing and implementing changes.
5. Compliance and Risk Management: Establishes, implements and/or maintains strong internal controls in areas of assigned responsibility to provide reasonable assurance of effective and appropriate resources use, accurate financial information, and adherence to contractual obligations and agreements, policies, procedures, and external regulatory requirements.
6. Mentors, leads and/or supervises staff.
7. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Economics or Finance and six years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated application of financial, accounting and economic concepts.