The Organization
The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts in Minnesota, neuroscience, and international crop research.
POSITION SUMMARY
The McKnight Foundation seeks an experienced Accountant. The successful candidate will maintain the Foundation’s financial records in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and best practices. This position is responsible for accounts payable and related tax filings, contract management, general accounting, supporting financial reporting, and supporting the annual audits, budget, and tax filings. This position serves as a backup as needed for the Junior Accountant.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This position is an individual contributor role and will report to the Finance Manager.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Accounts Payable Management
- Process and verify incoming banking instructions, create and modify vendor information, and file.
- Process invoices in the accounts payable system, including accuracy verification, coding, approval, and filing. Ensure timely payment of invoices.
- Generate and send payment transmittal notifications for administrative payments
- Monitor for payment failures and Notice of Change received from bank, failed wires, and physical check returns—inform staff members as needed and resolve promptly.
- Reconcile GL accounts related to accounts payable. Reconcile statements received by vendors in coordination with staff members, respond to information requests, and research and resolve issues.
- Coordinate year-end cutoff process and communication.
- Identify opportunities to streamline accounts payable process and team with IT, finance team, and others to implement. Provide analysis and metrics of expenses and accounts payable, as requested.
Contract Management
- Verify executed administrative contracts for completeness, assign contract number, and file.
- Maintain up-to-date information on vendor contracts, including fees/expenses paid life-to-date under each contract. Follow-up with staff members as necessary.
- Field staff members’ questions and provide staff training on the contract management process.
Audit & Tax-Related Duties
- Collect, review and file necessary tax forms from vendors, e.g., W8, W9, etc. Provide support as needed to staff members and external parties.
- Prepare, review, and coordinate filing of vendor-related annual tax forms (1099/1096 and 1042/1042S).
- Prepare audit work papers, footnotes, and support preparation of functional expense statement/analysis.
Grant Accounting
- Reconcile grants in accounting software (GL) to Blackbaud and Board/Committee minutes.
- Perform conditional grant accounting in coordination with non-finance staff members.
- Maintain relationship with Grants & Information Management staff.
General Accounting Functions, Reporting, and Special Projects
- Prepare and distribute monthly budget management and fringe-benefit reports. Field staff members’ questions and prepare reclassification journal entries as appropriate. Create ad-hoc financial reports as needed.
- Perform prepaid asset accounting and benefits accounting and reconcile bank accounts.
- Assist with special short- and long-term projects that arise during the course of business.
- Ensure that the Finance team complies with the Foundation’s document retention policy.
- Serve as primary liaison with IT/others to troubleshoot accounting software integration failures.
- Serve as backup to the Junior Accountant. Serve as backup to the Senior Accountant for select tasks.
Fixed Asset and Lease Accounting
- Record fixed asset activity, perform reconciliation, and prepare depreciation projections.
- Track and record leases and ensure appropriately recorded in the general ledger.
- Conduct a triennial physical inventory of fixed assets with IT and Facilities.
Team and Foundation Contributions
- Contribute to the development and execution of the accounting team’s annual work plan.
- Create and maintain clear instructions and information for primary job duties and, as applicable, organizational-wide instructions, on-boarding, and training.
- Keep up-to-date on guidelines and regulations impacting primary job duties. Coordinate implementation of new standards.
- Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, retreats, DEI sessions, and other Foundation-wide meetings.
- Participate in cross-functional workgroups, as appropriate.
- Liaise with identified program team and participate in local site visits annually.
CORE COMPETENCIES
All McKnight employees are expected to display the following attributes:
- Strategic mindset
- Communicates effectively
- Instills trust
- Drives results
- Manages complexity
- Builds networks
- Collaborates effectively
- Models resiliency
Position Specific Competencies:
- Action-oriented, Plans and Aligns, Customer Focus, Optimizes Work Processes
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
- Work is typically performed in an office work environment but includes bending, stooping, and kneeling for filing.
- Regular operation of standard office machines (computer, copier, and fax) is required.
- Occasional evenings and weekends required.
- Minimal business travel is anticipated.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree, preferred, in accounting or finance and a minimum of three years related full-time professional work experience in a foundation, nonprofit, or government organization with two or more years of experience managing accounts payable; in lieu of a degree, we will accept candidates with a combination of experience and training equivalent to satisfying the requirements above.
- Knowledge of not-for-profit or foundation accounting with an understanding of GAAP.
- 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.
- Proven ability to communicate professionally and effectively and work collaboratively, with a customer service focus, both internally and externally.
- Skilled at recognizing inefficiencies and identifying and driving process improvements.
- Ability to work with high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office—Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
- Expertise in Microsoft Excel, including proficiency using advanced formulas, tables and formatting, advance charting, pivot table and pivot reporting, and VBA and macros.
- Proficiency in Sage Intacct or comparable accounting software.
- Ability to work well independently and in a team environment.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The McKnight Foundation provides a competitive compensation package. Benefits include health, dental, life, and disability insurance; generous paid time off; contribution to a retirement plan; matching charitable gifts program; and a flexible work environment. This opportunity is a full-time, exempt position based in Minneapolis. The salary range is $66,000–$70,000.
The McKnight Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
THE ORGANIZATION
The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts in Minnesota, neuroscience, and international crop research.
McKnight works in partnership with communities across Minnesota, the Midwest, and internationally. Its diverse programs are united in a quest to improve our shared fate. The Foundation envisions a world that recognizes the dignity of every human being, a world where we celebrate the creativity of the arts and sciences and come together to protect our one and only Earth.
Learn more about McKnight.
TO APPLY
This position will close Tuesday, April 12 at 5 p.m. central daylight time.