Accounting Manager

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB PURPOSE:
The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing key financial operations related to accruals and expenses. This role ensures that all expense-related accounts are properly reconciled, reported, and comply with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and institutional policies.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

N/A

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Accounting Manager will work closely with various academic and administrative departments to support financial accuracy and provide insights into the institution’s expense management processes.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Accruals Management:
  • Ensure the accurate and timely recording of accruals, including operational, academic, and capital project-related expenses.
  • Review monthly accrual entries, reconcile accrued liabilities, and ensure they comply with institutional policies and GAAP.
  • Collaborate with department heads to gather data on expenses and anticipated costs for projects and programs, ensuring accurate financial reporting.
  • Maintain detailed schedules and reconciliations of accruals, ensuring appropriate documentation for internal controls and audit reviews.
• Expense Management:
  • Supervise the institutional expense reporting processes, ensuring that all expenses are processed and recorded in accordance with GAAP.
  • Review and approve expense-related transactions, including vendor payments, travel expenses, and employee reimbursements, ensuring accurate coding to the proper accounts, departments, and funds.
  • Analyze and report on variances in expense accounts and provide actionable insights to department leaders for budgetary control and financial planning.
  • Ensure compliance with the institution’s procurement policies and maintain oversight of accounts payable processing.

• Prepaid Expenses:
  • Manage the prepaid expense accounts, including reviewing and processing all prepaid transactions.
  • Maintain detailed schedules of prepaid expenses and ensure the proper allocation of costs over the appropriate periods.
  • Perform monthly reconciliations of prepaid accounts and ensure that all transactions are accurately reflected in the general ledger.

• Financial Reporting:
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports focused on accruals and expense activities, ensuring they are accurate and in line with budget expectations.
  • Assist in the preparation of financial statements, focusing on the expense and liability sections.
  • Provide variance analysis and reconciliations of accrual and expense accounts as part of the financial close process.

• Internal Controls and Compliance:
  • Ensure strong internal controls are in place for accruals and expenses, mitigating the risk of misstatements, errors, and fraud.
  • Oversee compliance with institutional, federal, and state regulations related to expense reporting, vendor management, and accrual accounting.
  • Provide support during internal and exter