Fiscal Analyst 3 - General Accounting

Central Washington University is recruiting a Fiscal Analyst 3 to join our Financial Services team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $51,384 - $69,072 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here.

Are you looking for a challenging yet rewarding career opportunity where your analytical skills and financial expertise can make a significant impact? Join us as a Fiscal Analyst 3 and embark on a journey where your talents will be valued, and your contributions will shape the financial landscape. Here's why this role is perfect for you:

Impactful Work: Your work will directly impact the fiscal integrity of the University financial records. Your insights will help steer the University towards its financial objectives and ensure fiscal responsibility.

Collaborative Environment: You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, including finance professionals, department heads, and executives. Your ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively will be key to driving consensus and achieving financial goals.

Job Stability: In an ever-evolving economic landscape, organizations rely heavily on skilled fiscal analysts to navigate financial challenges and capitalize on opportunities. By joining our team, you'll enjoy job stability and the satisfaction of being an indispensable asset to the University.

Meaningful Contribution: Beyond numbers and spreadsheets, your work will contribute to the greater mission and vision of the University. Whether it's supporting initiatives that improve our functionality or driving innovation in financial practices, you'll find fulfillment in knowing that your work makes a difference.

Join us as a Fiscal Analyst 3 and be part of a dynamic team committed to excellence, innovation, and financial stewardship. Together, we'll shape a brighter financial future.

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

As a senior analyst, this position contributes to the fiscal integrity of the University's financial records by ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and completion bank reconciliations and close out of university financial records at the end of each month and the end of the fiscal year. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

- Process cash journal entries to clear temporary suspense accounts for the various University Departments who receive and deposit funds in the main operating bank account for CWU
- Process any requests from departments to transfer cash between either departments or project ID's
- Review general ledger journal vouchers for correct fund/account combinations and ensure that appropriate backup supporting documentation is attached and post to the financial management system
- Monitor daily cash receipts and disbursements to ensure they are posted correctly to the Financial Management System
- Prepare and process the daily banking upload to the PeopleSoft reconciliation module to assist with reconciliation process
- Notify departments when documentation received for cash deposits does not match with the bank records and work with them to resolve any discrepancies
- Design and suggest methods to improve and enhance the existing business processes using the skills and tools available
- The position's primary responsibility is the University's main bank account
- Posts journal vouchers to reconcile the clearing/suspense accounts
- Reports unclaimed property to the State of Washington Dept. of Revenue
- Monitors daily cash deposits and withdrawals to ensure both are posted timely and accurately
- Provides backup to the Accounts Payable department
- Prepares the University's bank reconciliation in a timely manner as required by departmental procedure and with minimal unidentified differences
- Prepares monthly report to document both deposits & withdrawals per CWU's financial management system and the bank records
- Processes University's Unclaimed Checks and submits the information to the State on an annual basis
- Coordinate with the Accounts Payable Supervisor for accounts payable check voids and unclaimed checks
- Provide backup assistance to accounts payable including but not limited to journal voucher processing, matching override and control group number issues when necessary
- Process the accounts payable, Wildcat Shop and Student Financial Refund ACH and check payments daily
- The position's secondary responsibilities include assisting the CWU Foundation (as needed) with similar accounting activities, including Accounts Payable, reconciliations, journal postings, and reporting. Additionally, this provides support to ensure the University maintains compliance with the "Payment Card Security Policy" and efforts.
- Provides support to the Foundation Accountant on various foundation related accounting activities, including:

• Processing Accounts Payable invoices and creating checks
• Project (Endowment) reconciliation
• Preparing pledge adjusting entries
• Preparing reports for internal and external users
• Other related accounting duties as assigned

- Provide support to the Director of Finance with the financial and treasury administration and oversight pertaining to the Payment Card Security Policy
- Assist with scheduling the training of staff of the university security policies and review of the individual departmental policies
- Responsible for monthly and yearly accounting close activities including:

• Schedule and coordinate the monthly close meeting
• Maintain a list of required entries and communicate/coordinate with fiscal staff across campus
• Preparing the annual Cash Confirm file
• Assistance with other year end activities as needed

- Supervise Student employees as needed
- Manage the data transfer from HRS to FMS for Bi-monthly payroll

- Other Duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree, which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing or budgeting and one year of relevant professional experience.
• Experience or training that demonstrates the ability to use spreadsheet software such as Excel to create, use and maintain spreadsheets.
• Experience reviewing, analyzing and reconciling multiple accounts.
• Experience working in an office environment and must possess exceptional customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Governmental/Fund accounting experience preferred but not required.
• Experience using an Enterprise Reporting System such as PeopleSoft or SAP.
• Experience Reconciling Bank Statements and processing reconciliations in an automated system.
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.
• Potential to mentor and educate students who will serve diverse populations.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position is based on the range 50 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $51,384 and maximum annual salary of $69,072. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.