STAFF ACCOUNTANT
WHO WE ARE
The Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) envisions a future where all people, in body and spirit, breathe freely, care for each other, and flourish in just, regenerative, and loving communities. With its core values of Justice and Equity, Interdependence, Learning and Listening, Courageous Transformation, and Integrity in mind, we partner with social movements, organizations, and individuals who have creative and catalytic solutions to NCF’s interconnected goals of racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ). To reach NCF’s REEJ goals, it will take organized people and allied institutions, disruptive ideas and innovative approaches centering equity and justice, flexible capital, repaired relationships, and restoring humanity to all people.
HOW WE COLLABORATE
At NCF, collaboration is the cornerstone of our culture. We actively cultivate a highly collaborative atmosphere centered on cross-departmental teamwork, with staff members participating in various organization-wide committees, working groups, task forces, and REEJ-specific solutions teams. Our team embodies a collaborative, open, and inquisitive approach that encourages innovation, introspection, and creativity.
In addition, we place a strong emphasis on developing influential leaders who can elevate team performance, both individually and collectively. We also prioritize the cultivation of a high level of emotional intelligence within our staff, enabling them to establish trust and credibility with colleagues and partners across the organization. These qualities are integral to our collaborative approach and are central to the achievement of our mission.
THE ROLE AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
As a Staff Accountant (SAcct) within the Finance team, the role involves serving as a key and trusted contributor, collaborating closely with the VP of Finance & Mission Investing (VPF&MI), the Director of Finance & Accounting (DFA), and the Finance & Mission Investing Associate (FMIA). Primary responsibilities encompass managing the entirety of the accounts payable function, aiding the DFA in accounting for a diverse investment portfolio, and handling day-to-day accounting tasks critical to supporting the foundation's operations. Additionally, the role extends to providing essential accounting support for innovative initiatives aligned with the foundation's mission-driven investments.
The Staff Accountant will report directly to the DFA and frequently collaborate across the foundation’s teams, engaging closely with various staff members. Furthermore, establishing and maintaining connections with external stakeholders such as the foundation’s public accountants, custodian bank, vendors, and consultants is instrumental in fulfilling the duties and ensuring seamless execution of responsibilities described within the role. The SAcct will engage with NCF’s cross-functional teams, actively promoting seamless coordination and cooperation to enhance the effectiveness and collective impact of NCF’s initiatives in advancing REEJ.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Accounts Payable and Vendor Management
- Manage the accounts payable cycle, processing timely and accurate payments to NCF’s partners, and ensuring compliance with policies and contract terms.
- Manage NCF’s vendor file, including onboarding, documentation, and handling billing inquiries.
- Maintain NCF’s contract file, ensuring compliance and providing analysis of costs versus budgeted amounts for consulting contracts.
Payroll and Benefits
- Enter bi-monthly payroll ensuring accuracy and timely submission for review.
- Prepare bi-monthly submission of 403b contributions to the vendor.
- Prepare payroll, benefits and 403b journal entries for review.
Monthly Financial Activities and Reporting
- Assist the DFA with monthly closing processes, including budget-to-actual variance analysis and departmental report generation.
- Prepare monthly reconciliations and journal entries for review, covering prepaid, accruals, payables, bank accounts, grants expenses, and other relevant accounts.
Investment Activity and Financial Recording
- Collaborate with the DFA to review and accurately record all investment activity, including monthly custodian bank report reviews, preparation of journal entries, and reconciliations between statements.
Expense Management and Policy Compliance
- Administer the corporate credit card program and manage staff expense reimbursement, ensuring compliance with NCF policy, reconciling credit card statements, and accurately recording in the General Ledger.
Audit & Tax Support and Process Improvement
- Assist during NCF’s annual audit, preparing schedules, confirmation letters, maintaining the audit file, and aiding in the annual budget process.
- Assist with tax and compliance deliverables throughout the year, including by maintaining a file of tax documents and state returns, facilitating filing and correspondence with state and local agencies, and filing 1099-MISC.
- Support optimal use of accounting software (Sage Intacct), aid in process improvement, participate in setting finance team priorities, and contribute to ad hoc projects.
Leadership and Strategy
- Address challenges with innovative, sustainable solutions, driving tangible results.
- Continuously assess the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives to drive improved outcomes in the department.
- Support aligning the Finance and Accounting department’s functions with the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.
- Stay updated on industry developments and emerging trends.
Learning and Communications
- Share learnings from conferences, communities, partners, and other venues to catalyze broad impact.
- Take an active role in relevant affinity groups and remain up to date with knowledge about trends and movements.
- Serve as a point of contact for relevant calls, emails, and visitors and be a general information resource for the team.
- Provide leadership in coordinating internal and external communications to ensure a cohesive, effective, and unified approach to all communications and related tasks.
Project Management and Administration
- Efficiently plan, execute, and oversee projects, ensuring alignment with foundational goals and timelines.
- Maintain organized records, prepare material, and effectively communicate relevant work information.
- Manage time and workload and employ the foundation’s resources to meet project and administrative requirements effectively.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear and timely information exchange.
- Fulfill other administrative responsibilities to support daily operations.
- Perform other duties or special projects, such as those that may cut across other Foundation departments, including setup and cleanup of foundation-wide events and meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree required. Accounting or equivalent area of study preferred.
- Three years' experience in business administration, accounting, finance or related fields.
- Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and the financial reporting cycle, including proficiency in financial software and tools, account and variance analysis, and familiarity with budget, audit and tax practices. Private foundation experience preferred but not required.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks with precision, ensuring accuracy in financial data and documentation. Strong organizational skills to handle day-to-day financial operations efficiently.
- Possesses knowledge and understanding of philanthropy and social justice and demonstrates a deep commitment to racial equity and justice, aligning with NCF's pursuit of REEJ.
- Proven track record in aligning department functions with organizational mission and values.
- Highly adaptable and self-driven team player, fostering a safe and inclusive environment.
- Effective collaborative skills to foster team growth, address challenges innovatively, and serve as a strategic advisor to the DFA
- Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to efficiently oversee projects and allocate resources effectively.
SALARY RANGE: $86,000.00 - $102,000.00. At NCF, fairness and transparency shape our compensation. Salaries for all positions are evaluated by applicable qualifications and experience, leveraging data obtained through third-party benchmarking, aiming to fall close to the median salary range.
LOCATION: This remote position is open to candidates residing within the United States, aligning with our operating hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm Eastern Time. Please note, this role currently requires in-person organization days two consecutive days per month in New York City.
AS AN NCF TEAM MEMBER, YOU WILL ENJOY:
- Health Care Plans: We pay 100% of the health care premiums plans (medical, dental, and vision) for you and your dependents, effective on the first day following your first full month of employment.
- Employer Retirement Plan: We contribute 15% of your salary to your retirement plan, regardless if you participate in our employee-contributed 403b plan with targeted fund options.
- Parental Leave: We provide 12 weeks of paid leave for new, birth, and non-birth parents.
- Professional Growth: After one year of employment with the foundation, we offer up to the IRS maximum allowance towards eligible tuition reimbursement and other professional development opportunities.
- Paid time off: We offer a competitive PTO package, in support of a healthy work-life balance, inclusive of 12-13 paid holidays, 10 Summer Fridays, and the last week in December off.
COMMITMENT TO RACE EQUITY AND INCLUSION, AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT:
As a foundation focused on racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ) in our work, we’re deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our hiring practices. This commitment is also reflected in how we work together internally and with our external partners.
NCF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type because of the individual’s race or color, religion or creed, caste, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression (including the use of preferred pronouns), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions or decision making (of employees or their dependents), height, weight, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, caregiving circumstances, gender-based violence survivor status, credit or salary history, age, disability, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, pre-employment arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Regardless of how you identify, we encourage you to apply for this role if you meet most of the qualifications outlined above.
CLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT: This is an exempt position.
HOW TO APPLY: Please Visit NCF’s Career Center Page