Lead Accountant (Project Management)

The Department of Anesthesiology at OUHSC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Accountant to join our administrative team. This full-time position plays a vital role in the financial, operational, and human resources functions of the department and works closely with the Department Chair and Business Administrator to ensure smooth and efficient operations. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in financial reporting, budget management, payroll oversight, and operational leadership. This role requires someone capable of analyzing complex data, preparing accurate financial reports, coordinating department-wide payroll activities, and supporting strategic decision-making. Additionally, the Lead Accountant will manage special projects and supervise staff to help ensure departmental compliance and continuous improvement. In this role, you will be responsible for budget preparation, financial analysis, payroll coordination, and policy development. You will manage office staff, ensure accurate financial reporting, and contribute to strategic decision-making that supports the department's mission. This is an exciting opportunity for a detail-oriented, highly organized professional who thrives in a leadership position and enjoys working collaboratively in a dynamic academic environment. If you have a bachelor's degree and at least four years of management experience in an accounting, finance, or business office (or equivalent experience), along with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and excellent communication skills, we encourage you to apply.

Duties:

• Reconciles accounts. 
• Uses PeopleSoft reports to balance financial statement transactions to source documents such as accounts payable transactions, deposits, and inter-university transactions. Documents any timing differences or reconciling items. 
• Examines and solves irregularities.
• Monitors departmental accounts, accounts payable transactions, and spending activity. 
• Prepares cost and budget transfers.  
• Prepares and enters requisitions and invoices into PeopleSoft for payment.
• Prepares the daily deposit of departmental receipts.
• Produces statements of financial activity based upon monthly departmental business, to include but not limited to section financials, consolidated department financials, and cash flow analysis. 
• Initiates cost transfers between various departments and service units. 
• Performs intuitive financial analyses for Dean, Department Business Administrator, or Head of the department. 
• Recognizes deficiencies in accounting control issues. 
• Produces cash flow payback analyses on personnel and physician recruitment. 
• Reduces departmental costs and creates more efficient operations.  
• Develops accounting policies for the department in order to reduce departmental costs and to create more efficient operations. 
• Works in conjunction with the Business Administrator, Dean, or Head of Department to communicate financial information to staff, faculty, and other personnel. 
• Acts as a backup to the Business Administrator, Dean, or Head of Department in the approval process of payroll, Professional Practice Plan calculations, and all other financial matters. 
• Advises management regarding the effective use of resources and methods to maximize earnings.
• Works with the Business Administrator, Dean, or Head of Department to prepare the annual department budget. 
• Prepares financial reports to document activity, substantiate transactions, and report findings. 
• Prepares and presents written and verbal financial and cash flow presentations to staff, faculty, and other personnel in a professional setting. 
• Manages various financial projects. 
• Sets goals for project, sets timeline, appoints members, assigns duties, delegates tasks, ensures goals are met, and finalizes outcome.  
• Provides assistance to departmental staff in billing and collecting process, and payroll. 
• Answers financial questions as needed. 
• Examines and solves irregularities in reconciliation process and other financial processes. 
• Ensures the quality of data. Researches inconsistencies and conducts follow-up investigations to solve problems. 
• Supervises subordinate personnel including Staff Accountants, Accountants, Accounting Specialists, and Account Clerks.  
• Trains, delegates tasks, and oversees work. 
• Acts as a backup for all subordinate employees. 
• Assists Business Administrator, Dean, or Head of Department in personnel selection. 
• Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.

Required Education: Bachelor's of Science or Bachelor's of Art Degree and a minimum of 18 hours of Accounting coursework, AND: 

• 48 months of experience as a professional Accountant

Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of Accounting principles, practices, methods, and terminology.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office, accounting software and databases.
• Advanced knowledge of mathematical method or formula to solve a problem
• Ability to collect and organize accounting data, interpret the significance, and prepare accurate financial reports.
• Ability to solve advanced accounting and related financial problems
• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, project management and communication skills

Certifications: None

Working Conditions:

• Physical:
  • Sitting for prolonged periods.
  • Manual dexterity.
  • Use of computer and answer telephone
• Environmental:
  • Standard Office Environment.

Supervision: Lead Accountant; Supervising 1-2

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.