Minneapolis, MN

Accountant, McKnight Foundation

The Organization

The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Program interests include regional economic and community development, Minnesota’s arts and artists, education equity, youth development, Midwest climate and energy, Mississippi River water quality, neuroscience research, international crop research, and rural livelihoods. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Foundation has assets of approximately $2.4 billion and grants about $90 million a year. For more information, visit www.mcknight.org.

Designated as a Great Place to Work® for its high-trust, high-performance workplace culture, 100% of McKnight employees say they’re proud to work here. Employees love our mission and the chance to take on meaningful, creative work alongside caring, talented colleagues in a beautiful location with great benefits. In addition, McKnight has been recognized as one of the nation’s best workplaces for women and one of the nation’s best small workplaces.

Position Overview

The accountant reports directly to the controller and is one of two accountants within the finance team. The accountants assist the controller with the budgeting, audit and tax returns; and are responsible for maintaining the Foundation’s financial records in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, government regulations, and best practices.

This particular accountant position manages the accounting and reconciliations for payroll and benefits, grants, taxes, and fixed assets. This position also creates, maintains, and distributes internal financial reports, assists with the annual audit, tax, and budgeting processes, and approves payments with the controller.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

Manage accounting and reconciliations for payroll, benefits, grants, taxes, and fixed assets.

  • Record summary of health benefit payments into the accounting system, determine cash needs, and request fund transfer to the benefits checking account.
  • Reconcile third-party payer’s reports with general ledger and research discrepancies.
  • Maintain files for health benefits reports.
  • Review and reconcile Foundation checking accounts with general ledger and research outstanding checks, not including payroll and benefits checking account.
  • Record grant approvals, returns, and cancellations in general ledger.
  • Reconcile grant-related general ledger accounts with grants management system and board meeting minutes.
  • Routinely review general ledger accounts to ensure accuracy of financial information.
  • Perform accounting and reporting functions for Foundation’s grant receivables.
  • Prepare and record monthly excise tax expense and calculate quarterly excise tax deposits.
  • Maintain files for state tax returns and correspondence and reconcile associated GL accounts.
  • Maintain property ledger for acquisitions and disposals of fixed assets, record depreciation, develop/conduct periodic inventory of fixed assets and reconcile with property ledger and with Operations’ inventory list.
  • Serve as backup to HR generalist for payroll processing.

Manage internal financial reporting system.

  • Create report templates in financial reporting software to provide for accurate and timely financial information.
  • Modify reports monthly as accounts are added or deleted.
  • Identify opportunities for further automation by designing new report templates.
  • Generate, analyze, reconcile, and distribute monthly financial reports.
  • Generate, analyze, reconcile, and distribute monthly budget management and fringe benefit reports.
  • Prepare yearly summary of matching gifts for inclusion in various Foundation reports.
  • Prepare work papers for annual audit and tax return.
  • Prepare report on cash flows for controller and VP of finance and compliance.

Perform general accounting functions, special projects, and provide support to finance functions.

  • Assist the controller in developing and executing team work plans and assist with short- and long-term projects that arise during the course of business.
  • Assist controller and VP of finance and compliance in development of internal audit functions and perform routine audits of the Foundation’s various accounting cycles, including audits of ER grant files.
  • Assist controller in the preparation and review of the annual operating budget, audit, and tax returns.
  • Review and approve monthly investment journal entries.
  • Create new and maintain existing account codes in the chart of accounts.
  • Print checks, ACHs, wire transfers, and Concur transactions.
  • Approve all payments with the controller.
  • Serve as back up to the other accountant and accounting team, as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Support the Finance Team’s use of accounting information systems.

  • Collaborate with IT and controller to troubleshoot accounting software issues.
  • Coordinate with IT team on finance team technology issues, upgrade opportunities, and overall system improvements.
  • Assist IT in documenting project and end user procedures for finance team-related projects.
  • Develop and maintain a knowledge base of accounting systems tools and share with finance team.
  • Train and support end users on accounting software.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of not-for-profit or foundation accounting with an understanding of generally-accepted accounting principles.
  • Skilled at organizing tasks, managing time, and prioritizing projects.
  • Ability to manage heavy load of highly-detailed work with speed and accuracy.
  • Ability to adhere to high standards of accuracy and to exhibit a strong attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated skill at effective and respectful communication with internal and external parties.
  • Demonstrated skill in effective project management.
  • Skilled at identifying problems, recommending solutions, and demonstrate a drive for improvement.
  • High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office software including Word, and Outlook, as well as, Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft SharePoint.
  • Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel including proficiency using advanced formulas, tables and formatting, advance charting, pivot table & pivot reporting, VBA and macros.

 

Required Education and Experience

In addition to the above knowledge, skills, and abilities, the ideal candidate for this position will also possess a bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience and training. Additionally, we seek candidates who have at least four years of relevant professional work experience in a foundation, nonprofit, or government organization with two or more years of experience managing similar accounting functions, or a combination of experience and training. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP, SharePoint, InfoPath forms, and workflows is preferred.

 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

  • Work is normally performed in an office work environment but includes bending, stooping, kneeling, and lifting for filing.
  • Regular operation of normal office machines (computer, copier, and fax) is required.
  • Occasional evenings and weekends required.
  • Minimal business travel is anticipated.

How To Apply

This position closes on March 30, 2018. Apply now.

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