Senior Accountant
Mount Vernon, OH - USA
Job Summary
Position Summary
The Opportunity: The Senior Accountant provides specialized accounting leadership and operational support for Skagit Valley Colleges (SVC) enterprise auxiliary and sponsored-service units whose financial activities require accounting treatment distinct from the Colleges core academic mission. Reporting to the Director of the Business Office this position serves as the primary accounting liaison between enterprise service units and standard Business Office processes ensuring compliance with state federal and accrediting requirements while supporting operational effectiveness.
Enterprise service unitsincluding Head Start ECEAP Road Scholars McIntyre Hall and the Bookstoreoperate with complex cash flows billing structures regulatory environments and stakeholder expectations. This position is designed to bridge those complexities by translating enterprise operations into compliant accounting practices resolving non-routine issues and proactively managing financial risk. The Senior Accountant is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgment independence and diplomacy while maintaining institutional standards and internal controls.
This is a full-time exempt position working 40 hours per week 12 months per year. This position works for the Business Office on the main campus located in Mount Vernon Washington.
About SVC:Established in 1926 Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within theWashington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges(SBCTC) providing associates and bachelors degrees as well as certificates in high-quality academic transfer pathways workforce training basic education for adults and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTCs Vision statement; Leading with racial equity our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial social and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.
SVCs commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education inspire student learning and achievement and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access achievement and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms policies and practices to foster the success of all.
SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial ethnic and linguistic demographics in the district particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity minded leadership faculty and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and to diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.
Mission:Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational personal and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.
Vision:The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:- Equitable student outcomes in access achievement and community;
- Our Guiding Principles;
- Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
- The development of our employees;
- A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.
The Location:Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Upper Skagit Indian Tribe Samish Indian Nation Nooksack Indian Tribe and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver BC SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation urban arts scenes and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island and centers in Friday Harbor a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.
Guiding Principles:Respect Integrity Open and Honest Communication Collaboration and Compassion.
Did You Know:Skagit Valley College is an innovative community college committed to offering inclusive access to educational opportunities supporting student achievement and engaging our community. SVC is nationally known for learning communities and support for high impact teaching practices that improve the lives of our students. We are committed to creating student learning experiences that foster equity and diversity to strengthen our local and global communities. We practice a high degree of collaboration among faculty staff and administrators to lead initiatives that advance student success and strengthen our increasingly diverse district. We value student and colleague engagement in creating an equitable diverse innovative learning-centered environment.
Skagit Valley College offers:- An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
- Support for innovative teaching learning and scholarship.
- Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
- Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural suburban and urban lifestyles.
- Friendly supportive and diverse work environments.
- Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health dental vision and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.
Duties and Responsibilities
Enterprise and Auxiliary Accounting Oversight
- Serve as the primary accounting liaison for enterprise auxiliary and sponsored-service units including Head Start ECEAP Road Scholars McIntyre Hall and the Bookstore;
- Provide expert guidance on accounting treatment for enterprise activities including revenue recognition restricted funds cash handling and cost allowability;
- Coordinate with enterprise unit leadership to ensure accurate and timely recording of revenues expenses receivables payables and cash activity;
- Monitor compliance with applicable federal state grantor and accrediting requirements associated with enterprise operations;
- Review financial activity for trends anomalies and compliance risks escalating issues with recommended solutions as appropriate;
- Support preparation for internal and external audits related to enterprise and auxiliary activities and assist with responses to audit findings.
- Provide advanced support and oversight for enterprise-related cash management including reconciliation of receipts deposits and restricted cash balances;
- Oversee enterprise Accounts Receivable activity including billing practices aging analysis collections coordination and reconciliation;
- Review and support enterprise Accounts Payable transactions to ensure compliance with contract terms grant requirements and college policies;
- Identify process improvements to reduce errors delays and rework in A/R and A/P workflows associated with enterprise units;
- Serve as a subject-matter expert for non-standard transactions and complex payment scenarios.
- Ensure enterprise service activities adhere to established internal controls segregation of duties and documentation standards;
- Identify and address compliance risks arising from non-standard or evolving enterprise operations;
- Partner with the Director of the Business Office Budget and Resource Management Sponsored Activities and Legal/Attorney Generals Office as needed to resolve compliance issues;
- Assist in developing corrective action plans and monitoring implementation when deficiencies are identified;
- Document decisions accounting treatments and exceptions to support audit trails and institutional transparency.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for enterprise units for non-routine accounting issues operational challenges and compliance questions;
- Translate college accounting policies and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for enterprise unit leaders;
- Navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with professionalism firmness and diplomacy particularly in situations involving resistance to compliance requirements;
- Proactively identify emerging issues and recommend solutions before they escalate into audit compliance or reputational risk;
- Support training and capacity-building for enterprise unit staff related to financial processes and expectations.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities- Strong knowledge of public-sector higher education auxiliary or sponsored-program accounting principles;
- Advanced understanding of cash management Accounts Receivable and/or Accounts Payable processes;
- Ability to apply accounting standards and compliance requirements to non-standard and complex operational scenarios;
- Demonstrated skill in risk identification internal controls and audit preparedness;
- High level of professional judgment and ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
- Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively with strong personalities and diverse stakeholders;
- Ability to translate complex accounting concepts into clear actionable guidance for non-financial audiences;
- Proficiency with enterprise resource planning systems (e.g. PeopleSoft Finance) financial reporting tools and Microsoft Office applications;
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Associates degree;
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting financial operations or fiscal management within a public-sector higher education nonprofit or similarly regulated environment;
- Demonstrated experience with cash management Accounts Receivable and/ or Accounts Payable;
- Experience applying accounting policies compliance requirements and internal controls in complex or non-routine situations;
- Or a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to three (3) years of experience in a financial or related role.
Preferred Qualifications- Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience in higher education auxiliary operations sponsored programs or public-sector organizations;
- Experience supporting federally or state-funded programs with heightened compliance requirements (e.g. Head Start ECEAP grants or enterprise operations);
- Familiarity with Washington State community and technical college systems SBCTC guidance and public-sector accounting practices;
- Experience working with PeopleSoft Finance or comparable ERP systems;
- Demonstrated success serving as a liaison between operational units and central finance functions;
- Demonstrated ability to present complex financial information to a wide variety of stakeholders.
Salary Benefits Conditions of Employment Application Procedure About SVC
Salary and Benefits:
- Annual salary rate for this twelve-month 100% full-time position is $80000 - $90000 depending on experience;
- Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon as practical after a candidate is identified and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
- This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
- Salary retirement medical and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at Deadline:Priority screening will begin afterMay 31 2026. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date maybe considered until the position is filled.
Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.
Priority Screening Date: May 31 2026
Interviews with Committee: TBD
Finalist Interviews: TBD
Anticipated Start Date: July 2026
Application Procedure:
To be considered for this position applicants must:- Meet the minimum qualifications and;
- Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at that includes the following:
- The online application which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
- A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
- A letter of interest addressing the minimum desired qualifications and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).
Conditions of Employment:- Prior to employment a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Additionally pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for or have left a position during an investigation into a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicants current or past employer. By law post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.
- In the interest of providing a healthy safe and secure educational and work environment and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
- If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
- Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.
Application Assistance:If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation you may contact Human Resources at Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at by the application closing date. Information on SVCsReasonable Accommodation policy can be found atOPPM 3040.
For questions regarding the online application system you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. For best results apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Safari Microsoft Edge and later versions of Internet Explorer.
SVC Annual Security Report:The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies procedures and statistics on certain crimes including hate crimes domestic violence dating violence stalking and sexual assault. We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report which is updated annually each October. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling or by accessing the Report at:
Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.
Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race color creed religion national origin sex sexual orientation and/or gender identity pregnancy genetic information age marital status disability honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies contact Carolyn Tucker Vice President of Human Resources/EEO 360.416.7794 or . For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance contact Title IX Coordinator Sandy Jordan 360.416.7923 or . Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way Mount Vernon WA 98273. All faculty and staff hired at Skagit Valley College are encouraged to embrace continually support and enhance diversity and equity on our campus and in our community. Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination.
Required Experience:
Senior IC