Accountant 1

Accountant

The Accountant is responsible for the accurate recording, reconciliation, and reporting of the university's capital and non-capital assets, including buildings, land, equipment, and leased assets. This role ensures compliance with financial policies and standards by maintaining asset records in the Financial Accounting System (FAST), preparing journal entries, and supporting bank reconciliations. The position also serves as a backup for electronic funds transfer (EFT) processing and manages unclaimed property filings for states outside Florida. With a focus on standardized procedures and attention to detail, this role plays a key part in maintaining financial integrity across multiple departments and supporting the university's operational and fiscal accountability.

Responsibilities

• Prepares capital asset accounting reconciliations using spreadsheets, coordinates with capital outlay expenditures, and ensures accurate reporting in the university's annual financial statements. Assists in recording accounting entries for both capitalized and non-capitalized assets, including machinery, equipment, furniture, artwork, software, books, land improvements, building improvements, and other asset types. Reviews accounting records for accuracy and recommends adjustments as necessary to ensure proper classification and compliance.
• Responsible for the accounting and entry of all university capital assets into the Financial Accounting System (FAST), ensuring accurate classification, valuation, and compliance with applicable accounting standards and university policies. This includes buildings, building alterations, land, land improvements, leased assets, and other fixed assets, with transactions sourced from the Purchasing and Accounts Payable modules, as well as assets transferred from Direct Support Organizations (DSOs).
• Prepares bank reconciliations for disbursement, depository, and change fund / petty cash accounts. Files unclaimed property returns for states outside of Florida as required, and reconciles the related accounts and funds used in these filings. Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental operations and ensure compliance with financial policies.
• Serves as a backup for the EFT Accountant, verifying and investigating all electronic funds transfers (EFTs) and wire transactions received in the university's EFT account. Communicates with departments, vendors and customers, to resolve unidentified wires and assists campus departments with EFT payments. Prepares journal entries for posting and records them in PeopleSoft (FAST).
• Serves as a backup for the University's sales tax filer, assisting with the filing of sales tax, communication tax, and tourist development tax filings, ensuring timely and accurate submissions in compliance with applicable regulations. Other cross functional training for back up purposes may be required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications : This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and one year of related experience, or a Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration (with appropriate Accounting preparation and coursework.) The bachelor's degree is a minimum educational requirement for this position, and cannot be waived.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application / interview process.

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.