Accountant I

The University of Southern California (USC) Office Financial Business Services, Bank Reconciliation department team is seeking an exceptional Accountant I to join its team!

About the Opportunity

Under general supervision, the Accountant I performs professional‑level accounting work applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and established University policies and procedures to review, prepare, reconcile, and analyze financial records and documentation.

This role is responsible for routine to moderately complex accounting assignments, including daily and monthly bank and general ledger reconciliations within the University financial system; preparing routine journal entries and bank adjustments; supporting compliance with unclaimed property (escheatment) requirements; and maintaining accurate and audit‑ready documentation in accordance with established standards.

The Accountant I:

• Reconciles operating bank and related general ledger accounts by reviewing transactions, resolving discrepancies, preparing adjustments, and ensuring accurate, timely, and audit‑ready documentation in accordance with GAAP, internal controls, and University policies.

• Determines current financial balances to prepare routine schedules and summary reports using prescribed formats, and reviews outputs for accuracy prior to distribution.

• Supports unclaimed property (escheatment) processes, including identifying, tracking, and reconciling uncashed checks and outstanding credit balances in accordance with regulatory requirements.

• Provides customer service support by responding to phone and email inquiries from payees, students, vendors, and other customers regarding uncashed checks, credit balances, and related operating bank account activity; researches accounting records and provides clear explanations of findings and next steps.

• Assists in maintaining accounting systems, reports, and documented procedures by providing input and support, consistent with assigned responsibilities.

• Advises on university financial policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of laws and regulations governing accounting policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance.

Preferred Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting and 2+ years of professional accounting field experience.

• Experience with university or large‑enterprise financial systems (e.g., Workday).

• Intermediate Excel skills (e.g., lookup formulas, basic PivotTables).

• Demonstrate professional, courteous, and efficient customer service related to financial inquiries.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and 1 year of professional accounting field experience.

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles including fund accounting.

• Demonstrated proficiency with the use of computing technology for accounting, reconciliation, and reporting purposes.

The hourly rate range for this position is $36.76 - $38.44 per hour. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.