(Hybrid) Corporate Accountant Lead - Financial Projects and Compliance

The Department of Financial Projects & Compliance at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Corporate Accountant Lead. This position will be primarily remote but will require occasional on-campus activities for meetings, inventory duties/issues, external audits, etc.

About the Opportunity

At WVU, our central finance team plays a pivotal role in our success. The Corporate Accountant Lead serves WVU and regional campuses, with direct impact on fixed asset accounting, property management, and financial reporting across the University. From preparing complex accounting entries and reconciliations to explaining financial results to auditors and sponsor agencies, your work ensures institutional compliance while supporting the University's mission. You'll also provide training and functional guidance across Finance, Shared Services, and academic units. Professional development for you includes exposure to WVU's transformation to Workday, as well as job-related continuing education (on computing, fund accounting, NASA property reporting training, Federal Regulations, etc.) through both in-state and out-of-state travel.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.

• Wellness programs

  What You'll Do

• Lead Property Management: Develop, coordinate, and implement systems, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and University property management regulations. Provide in-depth analyses, identify trends, and recommend policies and procedures.
• Manage Financial Systems Integration: Leads the design, coding, and implementation of financial system integrations-including the Fixed Asset accounting module-to ensure accurate posting, reconciliation, and compliance with GAAP, University, State, and Federal standards. Maintains expertise across modules (general ledger, grants, payroll, AP, procurement, etc.) and develops system rules that directly impact institutional policy. Leads testing, upgrades, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure Compliance and Audit Readiness: Conduct annual assessments of WVU's property management practices. Serve as liaison to external auditors, agencies, and consultants, providing explanations, defending practices, and responding to audit findings with policy updates as needed.
• Prepare and Analyze Reports: Manage and reconcile the University's Fixed Asset System, prepare year-end property management entries, and produce reports for sponsored awards agencies including the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Develop methodologies to resolve discrepancies and ensure the highest level of accuracy to protect funding eligibility.
• Oversee Inventory and Surplus Management: Coordinate campus-wide physical inventories, ensuring accurate and timely compliance with state and federal standards. Oversee surplus property disposal to meet federal, state, and University policies.
• Provide Training and Guidance: Train faculty, staff, and administrators on property management issues and compliance requirements. Share expertise in GAAP, GASB, and fund accounting to strengthen institutional knowledge.
• Support Strategic Projects: Carry out special financial projects, support institutional missions, and stay current through continuing education in accounting, federal property regulations, and financial systems.
• Other Responsibilities: Provides backup support to other unit positions and participates in institutional processes requiring occasional evening/weekend work. Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
• A minimum of five (5) years of related experience
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree

• Certified Public Accountant or Certified Research Administrator designations

• Prior experience with advanced financial systems software

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• High level analytical and critical thinking abilities, organizational and time management skills, and problem solving skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of fund accounting procedures and guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board
• Advanced proficiency in automated accounting systems, financial reporting tools, and software (spreadsheets, databases, word processing), including the ability to develop custom queries and extract data using high-level programming languages
• Oral and written communication skills necessary to explain complex guidelines to University staff, to justify recommendations, and to interact with regulatory agencies and auditors
• Skill to organize information, perform financial calculations, interpret guidelines, draw logical conclusions, and prepare financial reports, analyses, and summaries for upper level administration or other stakeholders
• Ability to foster cooperation and harmony among groups and exercise professional judgment in new and/or unusual situations

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.