Accountant II (Finance & Accounting Division)

Accountant II

Johns Hopkins University Press seeks an Accountant II for the JHU Press Books Division. Under the direction of the Business Operations Manager, the Accountant II will be responsible for all financial aspects and transactions for the Press's Books Division. The Accountant II handles book and licensing sales recordation, cost of sales and inventory reconciliations, and author contract set-up and royalty payments.

The Accountant II is responsible for the preparation of recording, analysis, and reporting of financial data in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and other university guidelines. The Accountant II will utilize an advanced understanding of the various accounting requirements for a nonprofit, higher education organization.

The Press is committed to honoring every person's inherent dignity as human beings and making that the foundation of our organizational culture. We proactively find ways to ensure opportunities for all staff that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We strive to publish courageously, giving voice to groundbreaking ideas. We support each other and our stakeholders and envision a future where knowledge enriches the lives of every person. The successful candidate will join a welcoming community that is inclusive and values the contributions and perspectives of individuals from all backgrounds.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly account reconciliations, financial statements and reports.
• Review and correct financial transactions into books of original entry as necessary.
• Review accounts and fund groups for priority of entries and investigate overdrafts.
• Ensure account administration complies with applicable federal, state and local guidelines.
• Ensure data quality of financial records and related data.
• Monitor, verify, and reconcile accounts.
• Develop relationships with departmental and university personnel to analyze information and make recommendations on the resolutions of issues in compliance with established University policies and procedures.
• Provide technical and analytical guidance to departmental and university personnel.
• Analyze accounting information and prepare reports and statements.
• May direct the work of lower-level staff as assigned.
• Collaborate with Sr. Accountant or Accounting Manager on special projects or tasks as needed.
• Apply the principles of accounting to the operation of the Books Division. Responsible for the recording of gross sales and related returns to various book bindings and co-publishing arrangements using financial information extracted from general ledger and distribution system.
• Interpret and comply with contractual terms related to author royalties and licensing arrangements for our active titles. Work with Johns Hopkins University accounts payable department to ensure prompt payment and 1099 compliance.
• Reconciles all Books Division inventory, work-in-progress, royalty reserve, subsidy receivable, and pre-paid asset accounts from main financial systems to sub-ledgers.
• Assist accounts payable and cash accounting staff in proper recording of Books Division accounting transactions and coding. Manage temporary help or students with annual royalty-related payments.
• Analyze books financial statements, product lines, and internal operating documents to identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications

• Proficiency in advanced Excel functions, Word, PowerPoint, and various other applications.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Accounting Software Developing
• Analytical Skills Developing
• Financial Data Quality Assurance Developing
• Financial Record Maintenance Developing
• Financial Statement Management Developing
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Developing
• Regulatory Compliance Developing

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business, finance or related field.
• Two years of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in related field.
• Knowledge of and experience with SAP or other ERP system.
• Working knowledge of WorkDay and/or TMS financial systems.
• Accounting certificate.