Accountant

Position Details

Proposed Start Date

02/02/2026

Classification Title

Accountant 1

Working Title

Accountant

Department

SDO Student Activities Office

Position Number

D91946

Representation

OP - SEIU/OPEU Local 503

Position FTE

1.0

End date, if applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

This position works within the Student Activities and Leadership Programs at Portland State University. The 50-acre downtown campus—with the motto "Let Knowledge Serve the City"—places students in a vibrant center of culture, business and technology. This allows students to participate in internships and community-based projects in these fields as well as education, social services, and government. Student Activities and Leadership Programs supports this mission by working with Student Government (ASPSU), Student Media, Student Organizations (100+), and Student-Operated Services (e.g., Food Pantry, event programming).

Position Summary

The Accountant for Student Activities and Leadership Programs employs generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to record, classify, and interpret revenue, expenditure, and other business data for the Student Activities and Leadership Programs (SALP) department. This position is critical to the financial oversight of SALP's diverse, student-focused programs. The accountant will become specialized in the policies and processes of the student-run funding boards in order to be able to provide clear support and guidance. The employee works with interrelated accounts, ensuring timely and accurate processing, reconciliation, reporting, and maintenance of accounting controls necessary to support SALP's mission of student leadership development and involvement. Nearly all departmental financial transactions, including procurement card purchases, personal service contracts, invoice payments, and travel arrangements, are completed by the accountant with support from student employees.

Minimum Qualifications from Classification

• Bachelor's degree with CPA or PA certificate; OR

• Bachelor's degree with 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of college-level Accounting, OR

• 30 quarter (20 semester) hours of Accounting courses AND three years of Accounting experience.

Accounting experience must include at least 3 of the following:

• Preparing transactions to be recorded in records of original entry;

• Preparing journal entries, posting from journals to general ledger, or preparing original general ledger entries;

• Summarizing data from a ledger to a trial balance;

• Closing accounts at the end of an accounting period;

• Applying PC spreadsheet, database, and word processing software;

• Processing data using a computer.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for this Position

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficient in Excel, including creating spreadsheets with formulas and filtering
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing, in-person, and over the telephone
• Excellent organization skills, especially document management and filing

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Banner
• Experience working in public accounting
• Experience supervising students or entry-level employees

Key Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

M-F 8-5

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

The starting hourly pay rate for this position will be between $24.99 and $28.75. The starting salary may be negotiable above this range, however it will be dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR. PSU's excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities

Application Instructions

Additional Information

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)

We will begin reviewing applications 1/12/25.

Please include the names, email addresses and phone numbers for 3 professional references.

Background Check Required

Yes

If you have questions

Please email