Finance and Accounting Analyst 1

at  Oregon Health Science University

Department Overview:
Central Financial Services is the division within Oregon Health & Science University charged with the overall responsibility of accurately processing, reporting, and interpreting the university’s financial transactions. We support healing, teaching, discovery, and outreach at OHSU by delivering quality financial information and services to the institution, its sponsors, and the community.
The purpose of this position is to facilitate the smooth flow of accounting data into the general ledger system, to perform research and support for general ledger transactions, resolve discrepancies and take corrective action as necessary. Maintain and monitor the monthly reconciliation process including updating the Bridge site and following up with delinquent reconciler’s. Maintains the fiscal authority hierarchy for purchasing activity including verifying fiscal authority for Staples Eway Internet set up forms. Additional responsibilities include assisting with account maintenance in the Oracle General Ledger module, reconciling various balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis, as well as assisting with various accounting projects. The incumbent will make decisions based on OHSU guidelines, policies and procedures and accounting standards. The position requires a formal accounting background, strong oral and written communication skills and good customer service skills.

Function/Duties of Position:

• General Accounting/Month End - assist with the month-end and annual financial closing processes, including preparation and input of journal entries, preparation of supporting schedules and in-depth analysis of account balances. Responsible for the reconciliation of asset valuation and liability reconciliations on a monthly basis, including cash and fund balance accounts. A thorough understanding of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) is required in order to analyze account balances, investigate transactions to resolve questionable data, and to book appropriate correcting entries as necessary. Prepares monthly Foundation intercompany reconciliation as well as monthly elimination information needed for day’s cash calculation and the consolidating of Foundation financials into OHSU financials. Develop a thorough understanding of the accounting validation rules, OHSU accounting policies, and fiscal authority structure in the Oracle general ledger module.
• Responsible for monitoring monthly balance sheet reconciliations. This includes maintaining the master reconciliation file, updating the Bridge site each month with listing of reconciliations due and responsible parties, sending out notices of due dates, and following up with delinquent reconcilers. This requires tact, persistence, and the ability to educate others in proper reconciliation procedures.
• Reviews balance sheet reconciliations prepared by others to ensure accurate and relevant information is provided. Work with preparers on proper reconciliation processes when needed, including training new employees and assisting others on new accounts.
• Be a backup resource for certain Internal Billing System/Fiscal Authority processes, such as Role Requests, No Holders, and Incomplete FAIDS. This requires knowledge of OHSU Fiscal Authority policies, as well as Oracle processes.
• Perform other duties and/or projects as assigned by the Manger. Projects will involve interpreting and analyzing accounting data which requires a thorough understanding of GAAP.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience with 36 hours of accounting courses as described above, or an accounting degree, or demonstrate proficiency of accounting principles (e.g. GAAP). AND
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Prior Academic Health Center or relevant financial specific experience performing analysis related to operational improvements and business cases.
• Proficient with use of PC including database and spreadsheet applications.
• Proficient with spreadsheet skills, including simple functions, formulas, and formatting.
• Experience with relational databases.
• Understanding of financial reporting concepts such as cost accounting and net present value analysis.
• Communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to consult with internal and external customers regarding matters/issues which may be sensitive in nature.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from an accredited college or university
• 2 years of professional accounting experience. Experience includes maintaining and updating Excel spreadsheets, accounting journal entry preparation.
• Proven experience in both written and verbal communication with internal and external customers.
• Advanced Excel and Word skills. Access data base experience.
• Experience with Oracle. Prior experience maintaining a larger database chart of accounts.

Additional Details:
This position resides in a busy department with multiple demands, frequent interruptions and a significant number of deadlines on a monthly and annual basis. The office setting is made up of modular cubes in a tight configuration. Interruptions and noise from the work group are common.

• General Accounting/Month End - assist with the month-end and annual financial closing processes, including preparation and input of journal entries, preparation of supporting schedules and in-depth analysis of account balances. Responsible for the reconciliation of asset valuation and liability reconciliations on a monthly basis, including cash and fund balance accounts. A thorough understanding of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) is required in order to analyze account balances, investigate transactions to resolve questionable data, and to book appropriate correcting entries as necessary. Prepares monthly Foundation intercompany reconciliation as well as monthly elimination information needed for day’s cash calculation and the consolidating of Foundation financials into OHSU financials. Develop a thorough understanding of the accounting validation rules, OHSU accounting policies, and fiscal authority structure in the Oracle general ledger module.
• Responsible for monitoring monthly balance sheet reconciliations. This includes maintaining the master reconciliation file, updating the Bridge site each month with listing of reconciliations due and responsible parties, sending out notices of due dates, and following up with delinquent reconcilers. This requires tact, persistence, and the ability to educate others in proper reconciliation procedures.
• Reviews balance sheet reconciliations prepared by others to ensure accurate and relevant information is provided. Work with preparers on proper reconciliation processes when needed, including training new employees and assisting others on new accounts.
• Be a backup resource for certain Internal Billing System/Fiscal Authority processes, such as Role Requests, No Holders, and Incomplete FAIDS. This requires knowledge of OHSU Fiscal Authority policies, as well as Oracle processes.
• Perform other duties and/or projects as assigned by the Manger. Projects will involve interpreting and analyzing accounting data which requires a thorough understanding of GAAP