Georgetown University comprises two unique campuses in the nation’s capital. With the Hilltop Campus located in the heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, and the Capitol Campus, just minutes from the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court, Georgetown University offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, and unparalleled opportunities to engage with Washington, D.C. Our community is a close-knit group of remarkable individuals driven by intellectual inquiry, a commitment to social justice, and a shared dedication to making a difference in the world.

Requirements

The General Accounting Office (GAO), in the University’s Office of the CFO (OCFO), is responsible for the integrity of the University's financial records and systems. GAO ensures that the transactions entered into the University's General Ledger adhere to both the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the accounting policies of the University. The General Accounting Office promotes the efficient use and stewardship of University resources in compliance with laws, regulations, and reporting requirements, utilizing their technical, financial, and analytical expertise in accounting knowledge.

Reporting to the Manager of Campus Accounting – Main Campus/Senior Accountant, the Staff Accountant assists with the effective and efficient review and monitoring of all expense reports and general ledger transactions for the School of Foreign Service (SFS). This position works under tight deadlines and a multitude of accounting activities, including expense report review, general ledger review, month-end close activities, and special projects. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

Review and correct the unit’s expense reports and support documentation for account coding and compliance with the University’s expense policy, communicating exceptions to the expense preparer.

Monitor expense reports in progress and help to ensure that expense reports are approved/paid on time, escalating issues to the Senior Accountant/Accounting Manager as needed.

Accurately track approved employee advances to ensure adherence to University policies and procedures and prevent double reimbursement of expenditures.

Suggest process improvements related to the expense report business process and train faculty/staff in expense report preparation.

Assist with financial reporting, compliance with internal accounting controls, and verification of the account activity and account balance every month for the Main Campus School assigned (“School”), ensuring that general ledger accounts as assigned are fully reconciled on a monthly or quarterly basis and preparing adjusting journal entries where required.

Prepare support and documentation for monthly closing entries, participating in user acceptance training for Workday financial system updates.

Complete the chart of accounting updates for new revenue and spend categories and new donor contributions.

Utilize expert accounting skills and judgment to develop an atmosphere of teamwork with School faculty, staff, other departments, and OCFO leadership.

Demonstrate excellent customer service to assigned schools and administrative units, providing a growth path to Senior Accountant.

Work Interactions
The Staff Accountant works closely with School faculty and staff, and dotted-line to the assigned school, to ensure that pertinent data is accurately captured on expense reports and in the accounting system and relevant internal control policies and guidelines are adhered to. Specific work interactions include but are not limited to the following:

Supporting unit area faculty and administrators, providing guidance and resolution on expense reporting issues and appropriate use of account categories and work tags.

Coordinating with the unit’s financial management administrator(s) and with the unit’s Procurement Analyst as needed.

Participating in campus and university‐wide financial meetings, task forces, and working groups as assigned.

Attending and participating in mandatory and recommended training and development opportunities.

Supporting in other areas as assigned, including providing back-up to other accountants as needed.

Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

2-3 years progressive experience in financial accounting and reporting

Ability to understand the University’s cost center hierarchy, chart of accounts, and budgeted accounts to allocate expenses

Strong Excel and general data analysis skills required (analyzing instances to identify errors, challenges, etc. and areas for process improvements), including ability to initiate, review, track, and monitor financial transactions/requests through to completion

Ability to run and utilize financial system reports for financial management purposes

Professional demeanor, communications, and ability to provide exceptional customer service

Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to triage and escalate complex issues to team lead, supervisor, or appropriate School contacts

Great attention to detail with the willingness and demonstrated potential to gain new skills and proficiencies and adapt to changing environments

Service oriented, professional demeanor and a team orientation is required; i.e. avoiding that’s not my job

Ability to think outside the box and solve problems creatively

Strong time management skills, with the ability to prioritize work and multi-task to meet deadlines

Experience in a complex higher educational institution or not-for-profit organizations a plus

Work Mode Designation 

This position has been designated as Hybrid. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.

Pay Range:

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is:

Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.

Current Georgetown Employees:

If you currently work at Georgetown University, please exit this website and login to GMS (gms.georgetown.edu) using your Net ID and password. Then select the Career worklet on your GMS Home dashboard to view Jobs at Georgetown.

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at Georgetown University you must submit a resume for each position of interest for which you believe you are qualified. Documents are not kept on file for future positions.

Need Assistance:

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please click here for more information, or contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) at 202-687-4798 or ideaa@georgetown.edu.

Need some assistance with the application process? Please call 202-687-2500. For more information about the suite of benefits, professional development and community involvement opportunities that make up Georgetown's commitment to its employees, please visit the Georgetown Works website.

EEO Statement:

Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Benefits:

Georgetown University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement savings, tuition assistance, work-life balance benefits, employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options. You can learn more about benefits and eligibility on the Department of Human Resources website.