The Senior Accountant is a key member of the Controller’s Office within the Finance and Administration Division of Suffolk University. The position has overall responsibility for the accurate and timely accounting of endowment funds, including recording transactions reconciling investment accounts, as well as other general accounting reconciliations. This role requires strong analytical skills, proficiency in accounting software and Excel, and a deep understanding of GAAP and knowledge of UPMIFA. The Senior Accountant also supports and attends meetings of the Investment Subcommittee.
Primary Responsibilities:
Investment Accounting and Administration:
Enters Investment statements to record accounting in Workday. Prepares monthly reconciliations, including Investments to Endowment. Compiles investment footnotes for annual financial statements.
Prepares the University’s response to the investment portion of surveys.
Works with Advancement to administer planned giving activity, including CRUTs and charitable gift annuities.Assists with preparing reports, data and/or meeting documents for the Investment Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees.
Spendable Gift and Endowment Accounting and Administration:
Works with the Assistant Controller to calculate annual endowment appropriation in alignment with the University’s Statement of Investment Objectives, Goals and Policy Guidelines. Records release from restrictions and monitors gift budgets to actual to ensure they are not overspent.
Prepares spring awards gift budgets and work with university personnel to monitor spend.Onboards new stewards of gifts to properly understand restrictions, Workday reporting and recording of offsetting expenditures. Resolves issues with administration of restricted funds as required and on a timely basis.
Records Advancement contributions and pledge transactions and prepares related reconciliations.
Processes the monthly endowment unitization, investment return and spend allocation.
Prepares the University’s response to the endowment portion of annual surveys.
Prepares monthly reconciliations. Compiles endowment footnotes for annual financial statements.
Provides support and assistance to the Controller in preparing schedules for the interim and yearend external audits and provide support for month, quarter and year-end close activities and processes.
Other Duties:
Participates in internal and external meetings as required, including the Investment Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees. Takes minutes at the Investment Subcommittee meetings.
Supports and partners with the Controller, the University Budget Director, Advancement and other University personnel, as needed. Prepares monthly reconciliations and workpapers (i.e. Miscellaneous receivables, Prepaid expenses and other ledger accounts) to support the external audit.
Oversees Student Government accounting transactions and Budgets in Workday.
Creates and posts monthly recurring journal entries and runs allocations.
Requirements:
- 5-7 years’ experience in financial operations; non-profit/higher education environment or a foundation is preferred; endowment accounting experience a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
- CPA certification as well as knowledge of investments and not-for-profit endowment management a plus.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and deadlines.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- High level interpersonal skills, with ability to work and collaborate with diverse staff at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to evaluate and document business processes and internal controls and identify areas of potential improvement.
- Experience with financial accounting software and reporting tools; Workday Financials preferred.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Exce
The salary range for this role is $67,500 - $112,500.
Salary Transparency
Suffolk University provides salary ranges as a good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for a role at the time the position is posted. The actual salary offered to the selected candidate will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, the position’s scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s experience, education, training, and applicable legal requirements. The listed pay range reflects base salary only and does not include additional benefits or compensation.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Suffolk University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. The University strives to recruit, develop and retain faculty and staff committed to educational excellence, the robust exchange of ideas, and engage in membership in a diverse and inclusive community.
