Staff Accountant
Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Accounting or Finance. Two (2) years of full-time, finance-related experience. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proven proficiency in Microsoft Excel to include use of advanced formulas. Experience in PeopleSoft SUNY FMS, or Oracle. Experience working in higher education or similar complex organizational environments.
Brief Description of Duties:
The Staff Accountant will use the knowledge of large scale Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) to independently perform complex financial reconciliations, transaction processing, and financial analysis in support of University operations. The incumbent independently manages banking, revenue, payroll-related, and student financial transactions; resolves discrepancies; prepares journal entries and reports; and serves as a financial liaison to departments, central offices, and external banking partners. The Staff Accountant will have analytical experience, be accurate with figures, well organized and exercise sound judgment in decision making. The Staff Accountant will have the ability to communicate with and advise internal and external constituents. This position will work independently with little supervision. This position exercises sound judgment, works with minimal supervision, and makes recommendations to improve processes, data accuracy, and financial controls.
Bank Reconciliation & Cash Management:
Perform daily and monthly reconciliation of University depository, ACH, RF advance, State Payroll Advance, and Southampton bank accounts to PeopleSoft General Ledger, Bursar systems, and supporting sub-ledgers.
Access banking and merchant service platforms to obtain transaction data and analyze variances.
Research, analyze, and resolve complex discrepancies by working with departments, Bursar, banks, and central offices.
Prepare adjusting journal entries and supporting documentation.
Identify trends or control issues and recommend corrective actions.
Transaction Processing & Payroll/Expense Analysis:
Review and analyze PDME, payroll, and expense transactions for accuracy and compliance.
Work directly with departments, VP areas, and Human Resources to resolve system errors, funding issues, and expense transfer questions.
Act as liaison between stakeholders and HR/Payroll offices.
Import and validate files in SUNY FMS and related systems.
Recommend process improvements to reduce recurring transaction errors.
Rates, Revenue, and Reporting:
Work with departments in the development and review of conference and IFR rates. - Maintain rate databases and supporting financial documentation.
Prepare and distribute revenue reconciliation reports using data warehouse, SUNY System, and PeopleSoft data.
Analyze revenue activity and resolve discrepancies with departments and central offices.
Chart of Accounts & Financial Data Maintenance:
Assist with maintenance and integrity of Chart of Accounts structures across PeopleSoft, SUNY, and related systems.
Review and prepare documentation for new accounts and account modifications.
Ensure COA updates are accurately loaded and reflected in financial systems.
Support policy and reference table maintenance related to financial structures.
Check Run & Disbursement Processing:
Execute weekly check disbursement processes in PeopleSoft, ensuring accuracy and completeness of payment data.
Review refund transactions and supporting documentation for compliance with University policies and internal controls.
Prepare and process manual/emergency checks when required.
Coordinate with stakeholders regarding disbursement status and resolve payment-related issues.
Assist in monitoring cash availability to support disbursement activity.
Tuition Waivers & Student Financial Transactions:
Review, verify, and process tuition waiver applications in accordance with policy.
Coordinate interagency tuition transactions and waiver redemption processes between campuses.
Ensure accurate recording of tuition-related adjustments and transfers.
Tuition Transfers:
Assist with monthly OAP tuition transfers and bi-weekly seasonal transfers, ensuring accurate posting and reconciliation.
Additional Duties & Responsibilities as Assigned:
Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.
Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Non Exempt position, eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA.
In addition to the employee's base salary, this position is eligible for $4,000 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.
For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.
Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.
Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA (https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/oea/) .
In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here (https://www.stonybrook.edu/police/) .
Visit our WHY WORK HERE (https://www.stonybrook.edu/jobs/working-here/) page to learn about the total rewards we offer.
The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Job Number: 2600433
Official Job Title: : Staff Assistant
Job Field : Administrative & Professional (non-Clinical)
Primary Location : US-NY-Stony Brook
Department/Hiring Area: : Accounting Services
Schedule : Full-time
Shift : Day Shift Shift Hours: : 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. :
Posting Start Date : Mar 27, 2026
Posting End Date : Apr 26, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
Salary: : Commensurate with experience.
Appointment Type: : Term
Salary Grade: : SL2
SBU Area: : Stony Brook University
Req ID: 2600433
