STAFF ACCOUNTANT

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

In accordance with Andy Warhol’s will, the mission of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. (AWF) is the advancement of the visual arts. The Foundation manages an innovative and flexible grants program while also preserving Warhol’s legacy through creative and responsible licensing policies and extensive scholarly research for ongoing catalogue raisonné projects. To date, the Foundation has given nearly $300 million in cash grants to more than 1,000 arts organizations in 49 states and abroad and has donated 52,786 works of art to 322 institutions worldwide.

The Foundation is dedicated to supporting the creation of new work by experimental visual artists. Funding reaches artists through flexible grants awarded to the organizations and institutions that support them. Driven by the belief that visual art is an essential form of communication, and that innovative creative expression is a crucial component to an open and enlightened democracy, the Foundation funds projects and organizations that challenge art historical and social conventions, address systemic inequities, and push art in new directions, whether through content, concept, aesthetics, process, techniques, or materials.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Staff Accountant oversees the day-to-day accounting operations and financial transactions for AWF. The Staff Accountant ensures the integrity of accounting information by recording, verifying, consolidating, and entering transactions while utilizing hands-on accounting experience and an in-depth understanding of accounting principles and AWF practices. The Staff Accountant will be supervised by the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounts Payable and Vendor Management

1. Manage the accounts payable cycle, processing timely and accurate payments to AWF’s vendors and grantees, and ensuring compliance with policies and contract terms.
2. Manage AWF’s vendor file, including documentation, and handling billing inquiries.
3. Maintain AWF’s contract file, ensuring compliance.

Accounts Receivable

1. Manage the accounts receivable cycle for art sales from Christie’s and Cause Media.
2. Assist the CFO and Licensing Department with licensing royalties’ requests to licensees, receipt, and reporting.

Payroll and Benefits

1. Enter bi-monthly payroll ensuring accuracy and timely submission for review.
2. Prepare bi-monthly submission of 403b contributions to the vendor.
3. Prepare payroll, benefits, and 403b journal entries.
4. Enroll new employees in benefits and assist with questions; record beneficiaries, etc.
5. Assist existing employees with changes to benefits (new dependents, beneficiaries, etc.), questions, etc.

Financial and Investment Recording

1. Accurately record all financial activity, including monthly bank statement reconciliation and preparation of journal entries.
2. Provide investment statements to outside accountant for reconciliation and make journal entries, following receipt of information from the outside accountant.

Monthly Financial Activities and Reporting

1. Identify ongoing cash management needs and execute cash management requests; provide cash management analysis, as needed.
2. Execute monthly closing processes, including departmental report generation, as necessary for the budget process.
3. Prepare monthly reconciliations and journal entries for review, covering payables, bank and investment accounts, grants expenses, licensing, catalogue raisonne, and other relevant accounts.

Expense Management and Policy Compliance

1. Manage staff expense reimbursement, reviewing expense reports using Concur software, ensuring compliance with AWF policies, and accurately recording in the General Ledger.
2. Maintain internal controls.

Audit & Tax Support and Process Improvement

1. Assist during AWF’s annual audit, preparing schedules, confirmation letters, maintaining the audit file, providing data and information to the outside auditors, and aiding in the annual tax return (990-PF, 990-T, and various state returns) process.
2. 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 and sales tax returns.
3. Support optimal use of accounting software (Sage Accounting), aid in process improvement, participate in setting finance team priorities, and contribute to ad hoc projects.

Communications

1. Serve as a point of contact for relevant calls, emails, and visitors and be a general information resource for the Finance and Accounting Department.
2. Coordinate internal and external Finance and Accounting Department communications to ensure a cohesive, effective, and unified approach to all Finance and Accounting Department communications and related tasks.

Project Management and Administration

1. Efficiently plan, execute, and oversee projects for the Finance and Accounting Department, ensuring alignment with Foundation goals and timelines.
2. Maintain organized records, prepare material, and effectively communicate relevant work information.
3. Manage time and workload and employ AWF’s resources to meet project and administrative requirements effectively.
4. Communicate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear and timely information exchange regarding finance and accounting.
5. Fulfill other administrative responsibilities to support daily operations.
6. Undertake other duties or special projects, as needed, such as those that may cut across other Foundation departments: Licensing, Grants Program, Catalogue Raisonne.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree required. Accounting or equivalent area of study preferred.
2. Five or more years’ experience in accounting, finance, or related fields.
3. Demonstrated understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and the financial reporting cycle, including proficiency in financial and accounting software and tools, specifically Excel and Sage Accounting, account and variance analysis, and familiarity with budget, audit, and tax practices. Non-profit experience preferred but not required.
4. 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.
5. Knowledge and understanding of philanthropy preferred.
6. Highly adaptable and self-driven team player.
7. Effective collaborative skills to address challenges innovatively,
8. Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to efficiently oversee projects and allocate resources effectively.

SKILLS

1. Strong knowledge of GAAP/Accounting standards, the cash basis of accounting, and financial accounting statements.
2. Excellent Excel skills necessary.
3. Tech-savvy and comfortable embracing new systems and tools.
4. Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with accuracy and attention to detail.
5. Excellent organizational skills.
6. Excellent problem-solving, time management skills, and communication skills.
7. Competency in Accounting software packages. Excellent knowledge/prior use of Sage Accounting preferred.
8. Ability to adapt and remain flexible.
9. Ability to collaborate with colleagues around tasks, priorities, and deadlines.

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS: $85,000.00 - $125,000.00, depending on experience. Salaries for all positions are evaluated by applicable qualifications and experience, leveraging data obtained using data from NY Philanthropy’s and the Council on Foundation’s annual salary surveys.

AWF offers a generous benefits package that currently includes:

1. 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for all eligible employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents.
2. 20 paid vacation days, 2 personal days, and 5 ad-hoc sick days
3. 16 paid holidays, including a winter break between Christmas and New Year’s.
4. 20% employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan with employee contributions allowed after requirements are met.
5. 100% employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and long-term care.
6. Paid Family Leave per NYS law with full salary continuation.

LOCATION: This position is hybrid currently, with in-office days on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and remote-optional days on Wednesdays and Fridays.

AWF believes a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees, no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability, are valued and respected.

Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@warholfoundation.org.

Review of applications will begin immediately, with a preferred application submission date no later than 3/31/2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Anticipated start date: May 5 or May 12, 2025.