Accountant

Description

SUMMARY

The Accountant is responsible for performing a wide range of accounting functions that support the accuracy, integrity, and timely reporting of the Foundation’s financial information. This position serves a critical link between transactional accounting operations and advanced technical accounting functions.  This position manages recurring accounting processes, reconciliations, payroll accounting, trust accounting, reporting, and compliance activities while serving as a key resource for internal customers.

The Accountant collaborates with Senior Accountants, Accounting Associates, and campus partners to ensure accurate financial records, timely transaction processing, and responsive customer service. The role also supports audits, tax, special projects, system improvements, and organizational initiatives.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Follow the principles of the Foundation’s core values: Trust, Respect, Integrity, Commitment
• Motivated to value-add to the success of the Foundation
• Effective communicator
• Collaborative 
• Dependable 
• Detail-oriented
• Adaptable, receptive to change
• Teach through example and service
• Practice professional curiosity and desire to learn
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse constituency
• Maintain confidentiality
• Work safely  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General Accounting & Reconciliations

• Prepare and maintain monthly balance sheet reconciliations
• Perform bank reconciliations and investigate reconciling items
• Prepare and post recurring journal entries
• Research and resolve accounting discrepancies
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities

Gift Revenue & Fund Accounting

• Process gift revenue transactions and donor restriction activity
• Review and record gifts in accordance with organizational policies and donor intent
• Support fund accounting and restricted fund management
• Assist with reconciliation of gift revenue and related accounts
• Respond to questions regarding gifts, fund balances, and account activity

Payroll & Benefits Accounting

• Process semi-monthly payroll
• Process payroll-related accounting transactions and journal entries
• Reconcile payroll accounts, benefit-related activity and benefit invoices and related liabilities
• Assist with state payroll compliance and reporting requirements
• Support payroll audits and year-end payroll reporting activities

Trust & Special Fund Accounting

• Manage trust accounting activities and periodic trust reconciliations
• Monitor trust transactions and ensure accurate accounting treatment
• Prepare reports and schedules related to trust activity
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders regarding trust accounts

Financial Reporting & Customer Support

• Prepare recurring financial reports for campus partners and internal stakeholders
• Support customer reporting needs, including Athletics, Knight Campus, and other Foundation partners
• Assist with ad hoc financial analysis and reporting requests
• Respond to inquiries from departments, donors, and other stakeholders regarding financial activity

Survey, Compliance, & Regulatory Reporting

• Assist with preparation of survey and compliance reporting requirements
• Support IPEDS and other institutional reporting requests
• Gather and validate data used for external reporting
• Maintain supporting documentation for reporting requirements

Audit & Tax Support & Internal Controls

• Prepare assigned schedules and documentation for annual audit & tax activities
• Assist with interim and annual audit requests
• Follow established internal controls and identify opportunities for improvement

Process Improvement & Project Support

• Participate in accounting system enhancements and process improvement initiatives
• Document accounting procedures and workflows
• Support special projects and organizational initiatives
• Crosstrain with other accounting staff to ensure operational continuity

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in projects
• Participate in on-going training, education, and staff meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls
• Ability to analyze financial data, research discrepancies, and resolve accounting issues with accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with a customer-service mindset and the ability to build productive relationships with stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting systems, including financial reporting and data analysis tools
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Three to five years of progressively responsible accounting experience
• Experience with nonprofit, higher education, foundation, endowment, or fund accounting environments
• Experience processing payroll, preparing payroll-related journal entries, and performing payroll reconciliations
• Experience supporting annual audits, tax return preparation, and financial statement preparation
• Experience with ERP systems, accounting software implementations, or system conversions
• Familiarity with donor-restricted funds, grant accounting, trust accounting, or endowment accounting

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This job is conducted in an office work environment, sitting most of the time
• Approximately 90% of this position’s duties require use of a computer
• Must be able to exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally
• Some travel may be required