Accounting Manager ~ Higher Education

Who we are

At McConnell Jones, we aim to be a catalyst for positive growth fostering an environment where unique perspectives come together to enhance client solutions. As the 2nd largest African American owned CPA firm in the U.S., we pride ourselves on the quality of our work, the tenure of our clients, and our own diversity—nearly two-thirds of our people are from an ethnically diverse background. The diversity of our people empowers the diversity of our client solutions, as captured by the firm’s tagline, Diverse Thinking | Unique Perspectives.

Our Mission: To foster an environment where unique perspectives come together to enhance client solutions.

Our Vision: To be a catalyst for positive growth through the power of diverse thinking.

Our Values: Creativity, Inclusion, Transparency, Accountability

This role will support a Houston based university (our client) and require work onsite in central Houston.

What you will do

The Accounting Manager, assigned to our university client, will have higher education accounting experience. The role will supervise the customer service representatives and customer service liaison. The manager will create business processes that allow the student experience to be as simple and as easy as possible. They will reconciles accounts to verify that everything is posting as it should and correct issues when they arise.

• Supervises General Accounting staff positions, ensuring process understanding and accurate work processing.
• Conducts daily close-outs, voids, large payment verifications and resolves escalated customer situations.
• Reconciles accounts receivable and liability accounts.
• Completes drawdowns for government funds., specifically student financial aid, refunds and reconciliations.
• Creates journal and payment vouchers.
• Ad hoc reporting and assist with monthly closes and audits.

What you will need

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business.
• 5-7 years of accounting experience with a focus in the higher education industry.
• CPA preferred.
• Be detail oriented.
• Be customer service oriented.
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Have strong reconciliation of financial and accounting detail abilities.
• Accounting, mathematical and quantitative skills.
• Strong management and supervisory skills, including multi-tasking and time management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Knowledge of

• Federal, State, Local laws.
• Higher education Policies, procedures, and practices.
• Generally accepted accounting principles and procedures.
• Governmental accounting principles.
• University accounting principles and procedures.
• Banner and other job-related software systems, specifically Ellucian banner.
• Microsoft Office Professional.

Ability to

• Mentor and provide direction to staff, delegate assignments and follow up on progress toward completion.
• Analyze financial records.
• Analyze and interpret accounting data.
• Review, verify and correct accounting data.
• Interpret accounting results and identify corrective actions needed.
• Prepare detailed accounting reports from accurate accounting data.

What we offer

• Hybrid and remote (determined by position) work arrangements available.
• Stipend reimbursement for home office equipment, cell phone and home internet.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) is awarded each pay period.
• 11 paid company holidays with 3 floating.
• Medical plan with HSA employer contribution, Dental, Vision available 1st of the month after start date.
• Company paid Long Term Disability.
• Company paid Life Insurance.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• 401k with company match up to 4% and 100% vested from day one.
• CPA and professional license & certification bonus.
• CPA exam review benefit with Becker CPA.
• Certification Reimbursement for CPA, CIA, CFE, CISA.
• CPE paid for 40 hours per year.
• Paid Volunteer Time Off.
• Fitness center available to Houston office employees.
• Employee Referral bonus opportunities from $1,000 to $5,000 per hired referral.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

McConnell & Jones is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not discriminate in employment and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or Vietnam era or other protected veteran. McConnell & Jones policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. To achieve our goal of equal opportunity, we maintain an affirmative action program through which we take good faith efforts to recruit, hire and advance in employment-qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, and other protected veterans.