Lead Accountant

Lead Accountant

The Office of the University Controller is responsible for management, reporting, and the analysis of the university's financial resources and operations, which include accounting, grants and contracts, fixed assets, financial reporting, and student accounts. The Fixed Asset Department, within the University Accounting Operations group, ensures that the university's physical assets are recorded and safeguarded in compliance with the university's policies and third-party requirements. The Lead Accountant reports directly to the Accounting Manager and works under limited supervision to apply generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and procedures to analyze financial information, prepare accurate and timely reconciliations, and ensure appropriate accounting control procedures are met. This position manages all fixed assets accounting and delegate work to the Accounting Specialist, Fixed Assets. Responsibilities include preparing fixed asset and depreciation reports, balance sheet reconciliations, surveys and external filings, and quarterly balance sheet and statement of activities variance analyses. The role participates in month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities. The Lead Accountant is responsible for recording and maintaining costs of newly acquired tangible and intangible assets; overseeing accounting for inventory, prepaid expenses, accumulated depreciation, and asset dispositions; and managing the inventory of sponsored and non-sponsored assets in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements. The role ensures accurate journal entry recording, maintains and reconciles fixed asset, land, and building subledgers to the general ledger, prepares monthly depreciation schedules, analyzes equipment balances by funding source and classification, supports audit requirements, and continuously reviews fixed asset accounting policies and procedures to promote effective stewardship of University assets. Responsible for reviewing the Accounting Specialist – Fixed Assets work including any relevant reconciliations, journal entries, fixed asset inventory records, and variance analysis on a daily, monthly and quarterly basis. Provides coaching oversight of the staff member responsible for coordinating with schools and divisions across the university to tag new assets and conduct annual physical inventory activities. Oversee and reviews staff accountant reconciliations, journal entries, and analytical work on a daily, monthly, and quarterly basis. Shares subject matter expertise with other team members through various training sessions. Actively participates in Finance projects and initiatives in collaboration with colleagues within Finance and across other departments. Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications: Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 7 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 5 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications: Certified Public AccountantBachelor's in Accounting or Business-related degreeAdvanced MS Excel skills including v-lookup, pivot tables, and macrosProficiency with Microsoft Copilot or other artificial intelligence enabled productivity tools, with the ability to leverage such technologies to enhance efficiency, analysis, and decision-makingExcellent verbal and written communication skillsDetail oriented and accurateExcellent organizational skills and a team playerAbility to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlinesAbility to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management and external agencies to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving, and results

Hiring Range - $74,041.08 - $122,078.34

GW Staff Approach to Pay - How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit

Campus Location: Ashburn, Virginia

College/School/Department: Finance

Family - Finance and Business

Sub-Family - Accounting

Stream - Individual Contributor

Level - Level 3

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40+

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status - Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only? Yes (University Wide)

Posting Number: S014319

Job Open Date: 07/10/2026

Job Close Date: 07/15/2026

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening - Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement: The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk .

* Are you currently employed with The George Washington University?

No

Yes

* For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder, employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)

Yes, IEP complete

No, still in IEP

N/a - not a current GW employee

* What is your salary range expectation? (Open Ended Question)

* Briefly describe your relevant professional experience. (Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to Apply

Required Documents

Resume

Optional Documents

Cover Letter