The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Senior Accountant works in the Accounting and Finance Office in the Business Services Department and provides accounting, finance, and payroll support to the SDSTA team.

Possible start date of June 1, 2025, or later. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following reflects SDSTA’s definition of essential functions for this position and does not restrict other tasks that may be assigned. SDSTA retains the right to re-evaluate the duties of the position when considering a reasonable accommodation or at other appropriate times. The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Financial Statements and General Ledger

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices.
• Maintains and reconciles general ledger accounts.
• Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare journal entries and document transactions monthly and annually.
• Monitors and reviews accounting and related system reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepares and reviews revenue, expense, invoices, and other accounting documents.
• Reconciles bank information to general ledger.
• Tracks the receipt of fixed assets and manages depreciations schedules.
• Maintains and reconciles general ledger accounts.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and resolve financial issues.
• Prepares accounting records and financial statements for government and non-profit entities.
• Prepares documentation for and interacts with internal and external auditors.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure financial accuracy and transparency.
• Assists with preparation of annual financial report for audit.
• Assists with annual indirect cost rate calculations and audit.
• Assists with annual employee benefit rate proposal and audit. 

Budgeting

• Develop and manage earned value management budgets.
• Ability to analyze department performance and variances.
• Strong understanding of financial concepts and reporting.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with varying departments.
• Proficient in relevant software tools for budgeting and earned value management.
• Accounts Payable & Receivable
• Review invoices and accounts payable transactions for accurate coding.
• Reviews requisitions and monitors receiving vouchers.
• Reviews receipt of goods and payment of vendors.
• Explains billing invoices and accounting policies to staff, vendors, and clients.
• Assist in annual 1099 and 1096 filings.
• Calculates and prepares invoices for reimbursement of funds.

Payroll Expenses & Reports

• Reviews and approves payroll processing.
• Assist with import of payroll data into financial software.
• Calculate payroll accruals.
• Calculate year end employee benefit rates.

Other Essential Functions

• Maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Certifications and Licenses

• N/A.

Experience

• Government accounting and auditing experience.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a senior level finance or accounting position.
• Experience in preparing financial statements on an accrual basis in compliance with GAAP.
• Excel Proficient.

Competencies, Knowledge and Skills 

• Attention to Detail—Ability to pay careful attention to details and complete tasks in an accurate, complete, and timely manner.
• Communication—Communicates well both orally and in writing and with a wide variety of people
• Customer Service—Ability to meet the needs of customers and treat them courteously.
• Information Seeking—Ability to collect complete information about issues.
• Initiative—Puts forth the effort required to achieve goals.
• Integrity—Conducts self in an honest, ethical, responsible and respectful manner.
• Organization—Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, keep order, and coordinate a variety of activities.
• Problem Solving—Ability to identify problems and use judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives to make sound recommendations.
• Teamwork—Ability to work cooperatively and support others in the workgroup.

Working Conditions

The working conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. When applicable and appropriate, consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations.

• Perform work in a typical office environment which includes individual workstations, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas such as a break room and kitchen.
• The noise level is generally low to moderate, typical of an office setting, with occasional background noise from office equipment and conversations.
• The office is well-lit with a combination of natural and artificial lighting to ensure a comfortable working environment.
• The office maintains a controlled temperature environment, with heating and air conditioning systems to ensure comfort throughout the year.
• Ergonomic office furniture and equipment are provided to support employee health and well-being.
• The company is committed to providing a safe working environment and adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations.
• Employees are expected to comply with SDSTA’s ESH Manual safety program.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety Standards protocols are mandatory.
• Act in accordance with SDSTA’s core values: Safety Focused, Care for Others, Professionalism and Being a Team Player.

Mental and Physical Demands

• Regular interaction with team members, supervisors, and other departments and collaborators.
• Capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure or emergency situations.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to follow safety protocols and procedures.
• Sitting for extended periods of time while using a computer
• Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
• Dexterity to operate office equipment such as computers, printers, and telephones.
• Perform occasional physical labor and light lifting up to 20 pounds
• Occasional standing, walking, climbing up and down flights of stairs, and otherwise moving around the office to perform tasks
• Ability to travel as needed.

Job Information

Supervisory Duties:  No

Direct Reports:  N/A.

Work Arrangements:  Hybrid

Hours:  M-F; 7AM - 4PM

Travel Required:  Infrequent

Mission/Vision/Core Values

Mission: We advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations.

Vision: The world’s preferred location for underground science and education.

Core Values:

• Safety Focused: We do not compromise safety or endanger the environment.
• Care for Others: We embrace and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We listen knowing everyone has something to offer and to learn.
• Professional: What we do is important to our community and the world. We sweat the details to achieve big things. Our behavior and ethics exemplify our best.
• Team Players: We provide unmatched service. We are respectful and deliver for our customers and partners. We build trust not barriers.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement 

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) is an equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce. We foster a work community where every individual feels welcomed, valued, respected and heard and discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or political affiliation is prohibited.