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Staff Accountant

Business Office


The Senior Accountant role is responsible for providing accounting support to the college’s business office. This support includes monitoring, analyzing, researching and reconciling complex general ledger activity, resolving issues, and performing data validations and maintenance to ensure integrity and allow integration with other systems. This role also supports the bursar function by providing customer support to students and families with questions regarding their student account.

*This position reports to the Assistant Controller under the division of the VP of Finance and Treasurer, and primarily works on campus interfacing with faculty, staff, and students.*

Reed College offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive and cost-free medical and dental insurance for you, and a 60% discount on medical and dental insurance for your dependents, 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution (after one year of service), educational assistance for employees and their children, 22 days of paid vacation, paid holidays, half-day Fridays in the summer, and many other campus amenities. This is a full-time, exempt role with work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour unpaid lunch. Salary for this position is $62,500 - $67,500 per year. 

Who You Are

  • You are able to manage projects with multiple competing priorities and demands.
  • You always have a plan to meet your goals and deadlines.
  • You possess the ability to conduct a wide variety of intricate and complex accounting duties and projects.
  • You are extremely savvy in Excel and able to apply the best application to present and analyze multiple lines of data.
  • You have excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal/customer service skills.
  • You have the ability to create and maintain a positive team-oriented environment. 
  • You are able to synthesize information from multiple sources in order to make informed decisions.
  • You are known for bringing order to your team’s work. You are a systems thinker and are always thinking about ways to get the work done more efficiently and effectively.
  • You are open and receptive to change, even if the change is outside of your control.
  • You are flexible when you need to change or redirect a plan based on current department priorities.
  • You have a growth mindset. In addition to bringing your experience to bear, you’re also eager to learn and apply new information.  

What You’ll Do

  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual journal entries for allocations, internal charges, fund transfers, treasury related transactions, balancing entries, etc.
  • Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual close procedures.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual general ledger account reconciliations for all types of accounts, including payroll withholding accounts and federal grant funds, to ensure accurate reporting and general ledger reliability.
  • Perform monthly bank reconciliations.
  • Coordinate study abroad program billing and payments due to partner institutions.
  • Have a working knowledge of the student account process in order to answer calls and respond to emails from students regarding their student account. 
  • Prepare ad hoc analysis in Excel of general ledger and/or subledger activity involving datasets from multiple sources/tables.
  • Maintain an adequate knowledge of US GAAP and financial reporting. 
  • Assist with financial statement preparation for annual reporting and related work papers for the external audit.
  • Participate in the implementation of new software programs, including the possible implementation of a new ERP system.
  • Work with accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other departments as needed to resolve issues.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, related field, or equivalent work-related experience. 
  • 3 years general accounting experience.
  • Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel user.
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills preferred.
  • Familiarity with fund accounting and/or non-profit accounting preferred.
  • Familiarity with SQL preferred.

Application Instructions

Click below to apply. You will be directed to Interfolio to create a free account and begin your application. A resume and cover letter are required. You can submit these documents in any format, but pdf works best. In your cover letter, please provide an answer to the following question:  

Why are you interested in Reed College and how will your experience benefit the College with you in this role?

Applications will be considered as they are submitted so you are encouraged to apply early. 

Reed College replies to every candidate. We will confirm that your application is received, and if you are not selected, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Apply for this job

Reed College is committed to building a culturally inclusive community and a work environment that respects and inspires every person. Your unique skills, work history, cultural contributions, and lived experiences are essential to building this community. Members of historically marginalized groups including women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have served in the military, and members of other underrepresented communities are invited to apply.