Property Accounting Analyst - General Accounting Office

Georgetown University comprises two unique campuses in the nation’s capital. With the Hilltop Campus located in the heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, and the Capitol Campus, just minutes from the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court, Georgetown University offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, and unparalleled opportunities to engage with Washington, D.C. Our community is a close-knit group of remarkable individuals driven by intellectual inquiry, a commitment to social justice, and a shared dedication to making a difference in the world.

Requirements

The General Accounting Office (GAO) bears the responsibility to accurately report and timely provide meaningful financial information and advice to the University community to support management decision-making, and to demonstrate fiscal responsibility, accountability, and regulatory compliance to the University's various constituents, both internally and externally. The Office promotes the efficient use and stewardship of university resources and compliance with laws, regulations, and reporting requirements through technical financial and analytical skills, as well as expertise in accounting knowledge.

The Property Accounting Analyst contribution to GAO is through the support of the Financial Accounting Manager in carrying out various financial accounting responsibilities in the areas of Property Plant & Equipment (PP&E), Cash & Cash Equivalents, and other assigned balance sheet accounts reviews. The Analyst is responsible for accounting activities relating to the maintenance of a complete and accurate general ledger in accordance with accounting policies and procedures. Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

Property Plant & Equipment

• Assist with the accounting process of the University’s fixed assets in compliance with US GAAP, University, and other guidelines, identifying depreciable assets, tagging the assets, and recording them in the fixed assets subsidiary ledger (GMS Business Asset Platform) for calculation of monthly depreciation expense.

• Assist in recording depreciation expenses and other fixed asset-related entry adjustments, reconciling fixed asset subsidiary ledgers to the GL monthly, ensuring all asset disposals are appropriately accounted for, preparing audit schedules, and resolving audit issues identified by external auditors.

• Ensure the strict compliance with university and other guidelines, providing supporting schedules to the tax department as requested and conducting bi-annual, annual, and quarterly physical inventory counts of fixed assets. 

• Coordinate with the Sponsored Accounting Office inventorying sponsored equipment, conducting analyses related to fixed assets as requested by management and providing quarterly lists of equipment to property administrators in each area of the University for review and confirmation and/or revision of the records as appropriate. 

• Under the supervision of the Financial Accounting Manager, help ensure internal controls over fixed assets reporting by reviewing the GMS Business Asset Platform data to ensure accuracy.

Balance Sheet Reconciliation

• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and related certifications of assigned cash accounts, researching and resolving reconciling items in a timely manner while preparing journal entries in compliance with GAAP guidelines to ensure adherence to internal controls by authenticating journal entries and reconciliations with proper documentation and approvals. 

• Ensure that assigned cash accounts are reconciled monthly to support financial statements. 

• Manage the petty cash process which entails working with colleagues across the campus community to replenish/close accounts as well as drive the annual confirmation process. 

• Reconcile assigned prepaid expenses and deferred revenue accounts to support financial statements.

Audit & Special Projects

• Manage the overall success of the team, maintaining flexibility in handling various tasks across the department. 

• Assist in the completion of the University’s financial statements, including the preparation of adjusting entries, footnotes, and supporting schedules.

• Work very closely with the Financial Accounting Manager to evaluate systems and procedures, suggesting changes to improve productivity and enhance systems and taking on additional duties and tasks that may be assigned.

Work Interactions

The Analyst reports directly to the Financial Accounting Manager. Additionally, the Analyst serves as a point of contact w