Senior Accountant

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)

AIA will provide you with the opportunity to advocate for the value of architecture and give architects and design professionals the resources they need to do their best work. The collective voice of architects is essential, and our work drives positive change through the power of design.

Each one of us at AIA is a leader committed to demonstrating our mission and values and designing a better future for our country and planet. Even in times of change, AIA's values remain constant:

• We stand for equity and human rights
• We stand for architecture that strengthens our communities
• We stand for a sustainable future
• We stand for protecting communities from the impacts of climate change
• We stand for economic opportunity
• We stand for investing in the future
• We speak up, and policymakers listen

The American Institute of Architects, as part of the global community, is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better built environment for all. Achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of the profession of architecture and the world's prosperity, health, and future.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Controller, the Senior Accountant is responsible for general ledger accounting, financial reporting, and accounting operations for assigned legal entities. The Senior Accountant will serve as an accounting resource with responsibility for month-end close, complex accounting transactions, fund reconciliations, financial reporting, audit support, tax compliance and application of accounting policies. 

Key Responsibilities

Core Accounting & Month-End Close

• Manage assigned areas of the monthly and annual close process.
• Prepare and review complex and non-routine journal entries.
• Review reconciliations, investigate variances, and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Perform and review balance sheet and general ledger account analyses.
• Manage accruals, prepaids, intercompany activity, deferred revenue, and other significant accounting areas.
• Ensure accounting records are complete, accurate, and appropriately supported.
• Support fixed-asset and construction-in-progress accounting, including capital project budget-to-actual reporting, contractor invoice and retainage review, application of capitalization policies to distinguish capital improvements from repairs and maintenance, and recording of placed-in-service transfers.
• Perform the year-end search for unrecorded liabilities, including review of subsequent disbursements and open invoices.

Entity & Fund Accounting

• Serve as the primary accounting resource for the Foundation and Fund.
• Support accounting and financial reporting for the AIA and its entities.
• Maintain and reconcile restricted and unrestricted fund activity.
• Account for contributions, releases, transfers, and other fund activity.
• Prepare and review the pledge (promises to give) aging and perform documented follow-up on past-due installments.
• Maintain the allowance for doubtful accounts methodology and provide periodic reporting on pledge collection activity.
• Record and reconcile investment activity, including investment-related journal entries, purchases, sales, income, realized and unrealized gains/losses, and investment account reconciliations.
• Reconcile investment statements to the general ledger and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare entity and fund-level financial statements and management schedules.
• Monitor intercompany activity and ensure appropriate accounting between entities.

Financial Reporting, Audit & Compliance

• Prepare financial statements, account analyses, and supporting management reports.
• Prepare schedules and documentation for the annual financial statement audit and other external reporting.
• Support the Form 990 process and other financial compliance activities.
• Prepare grant billings and reimbursement requests on a timely basis for cost-reimbursement federal awards.
• Maintain allowable-cost documentation and time-and-effort records in accordance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and monitor annual federal expenditures against the single audit threshold.
• Prepare rolling cash flow projections, monitor available liquid assets against the Board’s liquidity policy, and track board-designated reserve balances.
• Analyze significant account fluctuations and provide explanations for management review.
• Support budgeting and forecasting by providing accurate accounting data and financial analysis.

Technical Accounting & Internal Controls

• Research and evaluate accounting treatment for new or complex transactions.
• Apply accounting policies and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Support development and maintenance of accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, and systems.
• Review accounting work performed by Accounting Operations and provide guidance as appropriate.

Revenue Accounting

• Manage the monthly AR and revenue reconciliation for AIA, including reconciliation of AR subledger activity to the general ledger.
• Prepare and review AR-related journal entries, including billing, cash application, adjustments, write-offs, and other required activity.
• Manage the month-end AR/revenue close process and ensure revenue and receivable balances are complete and accurate.
• Reconcile revenue activity from Fonteva and other revenue systems to the general ledger.
• Support revenue recognition and deferred revenue accounting.
• Investigate revenue, billing, and AR discrepancies and coordinate resolution with Revenue Operations and other business partners.
• Develop sufficient knowledge of Fonteva to provide accounting support and backup for revenue-related processes, reconciliations, and reporting.

Frequent contacts

• Regulatory agencies (IRS, D.C. tax department)
• Outside auditors
• AIA Staff
• AIA Human Resources and Legal and Business Affairs
• Banking and Insurance Institutions
• Investment Advisors
• Architects & General Contractors

 Qualifications

• Proficient knowledge of GAAP and general ledger accounting.

• Demonstrated experience with month-end close, account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated proficiency in nonprofit grant and contribution accounting, including evaluation of conditions and donor restrictions under ASU 2018-08.
• Proven analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently research accounting issues and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong Excel and financial systems skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Sage Intacct or similar ERP 
• Experience with nonprofit accounting and multiple legal entities 
• Experience with federal awards and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) compliance 
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred. 
   

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, with 5+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience; nonprofit and/or multi-entity accounting experience preferred.

Supervisory Requirements: None

What we offer

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our company values and workplace culture, including:

• Medical and dental
• 401(k)
• Flexibility
• Paid time off
• Parental Leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• Income protection- (Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary) & disability plans at no cost.
• Tuition and membership reimbursements

AIA employees have access to a variety of other programs, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their family members
• Smart Benefits transportation program, featuring up to $55 monthly in public transportation as well as pretax METRO parking
• Computer purchase program
• Fitness club discounts
• Prepaid legal services program
• Identity theft protection

Travel Requirements: N/A
 

Work Location:  Work Location: Hybrid from the Washington DC metro area only (DC, MD, VA)

This position will periodically be required to be on-site at the AIA Headquarters in Washington D.C.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.