Senior Staff Accountant

Senior Staff Accountant

8730BR

Finance & Administration

Payroll & Accounts Payable Services

Job Summary

Please be advised that this position is temporarily funded with the anticipated end date of February 1, 2026. The position may be extended, depending on funding availability.

Provide direct accounting and finance support to Payroll & Accounts Payable Services (PAPS) responsible for processing university bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls; supplier payments including employee reimbursements and student refunds; and, payroll tax reporting. Perform a wide range of complex accounting and financial reporting tasks supporting PAPS including timely and accurate reconciliations of high-volume employee and employer payroll and benefit balance sheet accounts and other in-depth analyses to ensure accurate financial reporting. Deliver excellent quality service to students, faculty, staff and external customers.

Job Responsibilities

• Analyze employee and employer payroll and benefit balance sheet accounts monthly to determine if account balances are reasonable; examine supporting documents to ensure that transactions are correctly recorded and supported by appropriate documentation and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Initiate corrective action including preparation of journal entries as required. Review and approve all electronic payment requests of $50K or more made by HR to benefit providers.
• Perform a full range of miscellaneous payables’ accounting responsibilities including: 1) for all legal entities, print and process payment runs for suppliers, students and employees, including electronic and checks. Print off-cycle payroll checks as needed; 2) process void check files for transmission to the bank; 2) record transactions paid via wire transfer monthly prior to the month-end close; 3) maintain all logs and archive applicable reports relevant to payment runs; 4) review reports prior to scheduled supplier payment runs for invoices on hold and work with AP Director to resolve; and 5) process prepayments when required by the supplier and clear the balance sheet account when the goods/services have been received, ensuring that the payment is applied correctly to the purchase order. Take appropriate action to resolve issues as they are identified.
• Prepare fiscal year-end projections for benefit expenses; recommend and execute corrections ensuring that the University’s financial statements are correctly stated.
• In accordance with NYS Abandoned Property Law, prepare University reporting for dormant accounts to the NYS Office of the State Comptroller. Prepare and distribute letters for outstanding payables checks; follow up on returned mail; request replacement checks; and, maintain accurate records. Work closely with Accounting & Financial Reporting Sr. Staff Accountants to resolve outstanding issues to ensure that the University’s balances sheet (both cash and liability accounts) are correctly stated.
• Prepare quarterly diesel tax refund request to New York State.
• Perform various tasks to support the bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll as required and assist with annual Form W-2 and 1099 preparation.
• Complete special projects as assigned by PAPS management.

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• BS in Accounting or Business Administration or Accounting required OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four or five years related accounting experience with knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
• Well-developed analytical skills required.
• Strong PC skills including MS Word, Excel and Access

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of Oracle or PeopleSoft HRMS/Payroll and Financial applications
Prior experience with large, complex payroll and payables operations, payroll tax and abandoned property reporting

Required Minimum Education Level

Bachelors or Equivalent Experience

Work Location

Hybrid — Remote/On-campus

Shift

A

Wage Band

117A

FLSA Category

Exempt

Employment Category

Fulltime

Required Application Documents

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

What do we believe at RIT?

Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring.

As a member of the RIT community, you'll receive a comprehensive employee benefits package that offers multiple options and access to additional employment advantages. You can tailor your benefit elections to meet your needs (affordable medical/dental/vision benefits; paid vacation/sick time/retirement saving plan with exceptional employer match; and tuition assistance for you and your family, to name a few).

Department/College Description

Finance & Administration
Controller's Office
Payroll & Accounts Payable Services

How To Apply

In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff. Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly/Salary Minimum

41600

Hourly/Salary Maximum

69700