Accountant I

Position Title:

Accountant I

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in accounting, business, finance or related discipline.
Familiarity with accounting principles of accounting and their application.
Experience with fiscal management.
Experience with university financial systems.
Experience working with grants, the grant proposal process, or grant agencies.

Job Description:

The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Accountant I to join our dynamic team. Reporting directly to the Business Administrator, this position plays a vital role in supporting the financial and operational functions of one of the university's most complex and high-volume departments. With 45 faculty members, 75 staff, 85 graduate students, nine farms, three centers, and a fully operational Meat Lab, the department oversees one of the university’s highest transaction volumes, averaging 55-65 Workday transactions daily and managing 200-250 student workers.

Key responsibilities include managing Workday transactions, assisting with post-award grant administration, preparing financial summaries for faculty and the department chair, and overseeing timekeeping for student workers. The Accountant will handle cash and check processing, collaborate on farm management and financial reporting, and support various departmental functions, such as facility requests, postal services, and administrative tasks, within a collaborative office environment.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with a strong background in financial management and accounting. Familiarity with grant administration, cash handling, and university-level accounting systems (e.g., Workday) is highly desirable. The Accountant will work closely with the Business Administrator to navigate the department's operational complexity, ensuring effective financial oversight and compliance while contributing to its ongoing success.

This is not your typical accounting role—every day brings new challenges and opportunities. The high volume of transactions and diverse operations, including farms, centers, and the Meat Lab, offer work variety and complexity. You’ll join a small, collaborative team that thrives on efficiency and problem-solving. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with faculty, staff, and farm managers to make informed financial decisions, teaching and coaching others to better manage budgets and achieve their goals. With hands-on mentorship and the opportunity to deepen your understanding of university systems, this position provides a pathway for professional growth and advancement. If you’re seeking a role that offers meaningful impact, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference in a busy, vibrant department, this is the job for you.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. 

Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS807

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and d