Senior Accountant

## Description

JOB SUMMARY

Southeastern University is seeking a Senior Accountant to serve as a key accounting leader within the Controller’s office. This position supports the execution of the monthly and year-end close, reviews reconciliations, strengthens general ledger accuracy across all funds, supervises accounting staff, and serves as the Controller’s primary backup for financial reporting, audit preparation, and core accounting operations.

This position offers an experienced accounting professional the opportunity to grow into a controller-track leadership role within a complex higher education environment. The Senior Accountant helps ensure the integrity of the general ledger across all funds, strengthens internal controls, and supports the university’s annual audit and reporting cycles.

This role is based on the Lakeland campus and reports to the Controller.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Controller

Supervisory Responsibility: Accounting Coordinator, Accounts Payable Specialist, Staff Accountant

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but is not limited to the following

(Other duties may be assigned.)

Close & General Ledger

• Assist with the monthly and year-end close, including the close calendar, journal entries, accruals, and allocations
• Review account reconciliations and ensure general ledger integrity across all funds
• Maintain the chart of accounts and proper fund and functional classification
• Assist in the preparation of monthly financial statements and serve as the Controller's primary backup

Team Supervision

• Supervise and develop the accounting team (staff accountants, AP specialist, accounting coordinator)
• Assign and review work; build cross-training, documentation, and repeatable workflows

Audit, Controls & Compliance

• Support the annual financial audit — prepare workpapers and schedules, as directed by the Controller
• Maintain internal controls and segregation of duties; recommend process improvements
• Assist with grant, endowment, and restricted net asset accounting compliance

Reporting & Partnership

• Partner with Financial Planning & Analysis on actual-to-budget tie-outs and month-end reporting
• Support year-end estimates and GL-to-budget reconciliation

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

{{Additional/Non-Essential Duties - in the context of ADA - the functions could be assigned to another individual, or adjusted, to allow a disabled person to hold the position}}

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION

• Lakeland Main Campus

## Qualifications

EDUCATION

Required Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Preferred Education

Master's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Preferred- CPA or active CPA candidate

EXPERIENCE

Required

• Minimum five years of progressive accounting experience, including staff supervision

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, preferably at a private nonprofit institution
• Experience with Jenzabar or a comparable higher education ERP system