Senior Accountant

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Gift & Investment Accounting Manager, the Senior Accountant supports the accounting and compliance functions of the College related to investments and gifts, including preparing and posting journal entries and reconciling accounts, posting bank activity and credit card transactions and completing bank reconciliation for the College's advancement account. This role participates in the monthly closing processes, including assisting in the preparation of the monthly & quarterly financial reports, annual audited financial statements, management reports, and required filings. Participates in continual process change and improvement and supports other members of the Controller and Finance department as appropriate.

This role will maintain proficiency in Workday and support the Smith community in its use. Understand and enforce policies and procedures.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

General Accounting (15%)

• A member of the accounting team, this position is
  instrumental in the general ledger closing process and production of timely and accurate financial information.
• This position will prepare and post journal entries and accounting adjustments.
• Complete account reconciliations, including researching reconciling items for assigned areas and post adjusting journal entries.
• Prepare and post quarterly journal entries for Agency Funds.
• Assist in the preparation of compliance and management reports and support the annual audit process.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual tax compliance filings.
• Respond to inquiries and research questions from stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation, coordination, and implementation of accounting policies and processes of the College.
• Provide guidance and training to departments in the use of financial systems and with accounting matters.

Investment Accounting (20%)

• Prepare and post journal entries for short term investments.
• Prepare and post journal entries for Funds Held in Trust by others, including receipts of income and market value adjustments.
• Reconcile all investment data to the general ledger on a monthly basis and resolve differences.
• Assist in the month-end and year-end closing and financial reporting for investments.
• Assist in the annual audit and manage the preparation of investment and endowment materials and financial statement disclosures.
• Field questions from auditors, perform research, and provide responses. Maintain student investment club assets.
• Assist the Office of Investments to prepare and submit the annual NACUBO endowment survey.

Gift Management (60%)

• Create and maintain new endowed, current use gifts, annuities, PIFS and CRTs, including set-up in Banner, Workday and Fundriver, create internal new fund memos, process terminations, prepare and post market value adjustments including gains/losses. Process monthly journal entries for matching programs.
• Set-up and maintain annuitants, coordinate quarterly annuitant payments and assist in the valuation of the future annuitant payment liability.
• Review and approve daily Advancement feeds from Banner to Workday. Maintain listing of stock contribution shares, periodically sell shares, process proceeds and record gains/losses.
• Act as Smith liaison for bequests with third parties, review trust documentation & facilitate execution of documents, prepare internal bequest memos and maintain values of bequest receivables.
• Record gifts in kind and maintain Forms 8283.
• Prepare and process real estate tax payments on gifted real estate.

Other (5%)

• Assist the accounting, payroll and student employment teams in projects and processes as needed.
• Serve as backup for other team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Assist the fiscal agent with tasks related to AASC & SSAS, including producing reports and appearing at board meetings as requested.
• Assist in the external audit process.
• All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

Bachelor's degree and 2-5 years relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education/experience.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Demonstrated intermediate accounting knowledge; non-profit, investment and higher education experience preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree and/or professional certification such as CPA preferred.

Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated customer service experience in supporting users with accounting processes and systems. Deadline and detail oriented. Analytical approach to complicated reconciliation and data problems. Advanced MS Excel skill and proficiency with MS and Google suites and complex cloud-based financial systems. Familiarity with database queries and reports. Fundriver experience preferred. Ability to organize and prioritize work, take initiative, resolve problems, and manage multiple tasks. Capacity to work independently and part of a team.

Review of applications will begin

Position Type:

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.