Staff Accountant - Finance and Investment Services

VISION: Transform the university through the power of generosity.

MISSION: Unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: Accounting and Finance provide financial management, disbursement of support, and reporting to promote the land-grant mission.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Tracking and recording financial transactions, updating the general ledger, and preparing financial statements and tax documents applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).


KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:
Cash Reconciliation - 65%

• Reconciliation of all OSUF bank statements and cash accounts.
• Prepare Journal Entries to record credit card fees and other cash activities.
• Coordinate with Gift Management to resolve discrepancies as they occur.
• Serve as Accounting liaison to further streamline the bank reconciliation process.

Financial Statement/Tax and Audit Schedules - 20%

• Assist with monthly financial reporting and analysis for Foundation leadership, board of trustees, and related budget and audit committees as needed.
• Assist with preparation of the annual tax return (Form 990)
• Assist with coordinating the preparation of Form 990T, state returns, and foreign reporting.
• Assist with the annual audit and planning process including preparation of workpapers, schedules, and financial statements.
• Ensure scanning of all tax and audit documents and materials into DMS (Document Management System).

Project Management – 10%

• Processing new projects, project changes and closed project requests and tracking all changes for projects in FE system.
• Collaborate with Donor Relations on project(s) status.

 
Other monthly duties as assigned – 5%

 

JOB COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:
Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

 
Experience:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of accounting, audit, and IRS principles and regulations
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work independently.
• Preferred not-for-profit experience.
• Demonstrate strong customer service through a positive attitude of approachability, adaptability, strong problem-solving skills and desire to identify and support success of all team members.
• Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun.

 
Organizational Competencies:

• Effective Communication: Proactively ensures effective communication throughout the organization; makes relevant contributions to discussions and meetings, giving clear and concise explanations and sticking to the point; chooses language and communication method to suit the audience, reframes and articulates to help others understand; asks questions to check understanding when disseminating information
• Execution & Initiative: Motivates self and others to achieve the best results, displaying energy, drive and a desire to succeed; enlists the support of others as necessary to overcome resistance; supervises cross-functional project team execution on tasks to meet stated objectives; helps other employees’ gain the skills and experience they need to contribute; pro-actively outlines milestones, outcomes and deliverables and effectively communicates them to internal and external stakeholders
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Develops and nurtures formal & informal relationships with a wide circle of people beyond those involved in current activities, including potential donors, stakeholders, and information links; encourages collaboration among colleagues, departments and entire organization to achieve results; compromises, handles conflicts, seeks common ground, articulates own and others goals; stays focused on positive win-win outcomes; seeks input on how to leverage existing processes to improve the donor experience; translates ideas into action
• Problem Solving/Judgment: Gains understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures; when and why escalation of issues is needed and to whom and communicates decisions and desired outcomes to others; anticipates the outcome of a single decision; recognizes problems in advance, systematically gathers information to define the root cause, breaks down complex information into component parts, develops alternatives, seeks input from others, selects and recommends the best solution
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Embraces complex or first-time problems as opportunities to learn and incorporate new skills; flexes style based on immediate needs; accepts responsibility for implementing change; evaluates and manages resources needed to implement change; personally supports (in words and actions) organizational direction and change agenda
• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for individual & project outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; encourages candid responses, feedback, new ideas and conflicting opinions
• Donor Centered: Takes time to actively learn about the stated needs by asking questions, exploring how to unite the donors and university’s passions and priorities; anticipates customer needs and proactively makes recommendations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must use a computer terminal and view a computer screen for extended periods of time.  Must talk in person or by phone (frequently and sometimes for extended periods) to people on campus and across the country.  Must constantly use visual acuity to check printed and designed materials of various types.  Must be able to navigate within the OSU Foundation. Typical office working conditions.