Student Sponsor Partners
Senior Accountant for Finance & Development, New York, NY
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT FOR FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT
Mission: Student Sponsor Partners harnesses the power of quality education and mentorship to help New York City youth in underserved communities escape the cycle of poverty and reach their highest potential.
Vision: Creating opportunities for students today. Impacting their tomorrow.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEGACY & CONTEXT
Founded by Peter Flanigan in 1986, Student Sponsor Partners (SSP) has been providing private high school education for low-income, average-achieving New York City youth to equip them with the academic foundation and character development they need to realize their untapped potential.
Thousands of students are supported by a sponsor and a mentor to guide them through their high school years and beyond. SSP's record of success is evidenced by the fact that more than 85 percent of its students graduate from high school, which is a substantially higher rate than that historically achieved by the New York City public high schools. Over 50 percent of SSP high school students graduate from college. SSP currently supports approximately 1,200 students a year.
Based in the Wall Street District of New York City, SSP has a current budget of approximately $10 million and has 22 budgeted employees. SSP currently operates on a three-day or four-day hybrid in-office virtual work schedule.
For further information about SSP, please visit https://sspnyc.org.
POSITION SUMMARY
SSP comprises the following three divisions: Philanthropy & Resource Development; Programs; and General Administration, which includes Finance, Human Resources, and IT. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Accountant for Finance & Development role resides within the Finance Department. The Senior Accountant will work closely and collaboratively with the Vice President of Finance throughout the organization to provide financial information by maintaining and reconciling accounts and preparing reports.
The Senior Accountant will manage daily financial and accounting tasks related to both Development and Finance. The main duties include cash management, investment management, fixed asset management, accounts receivable and collections, accounts payable, account reconciliations, posting journal entries, and preparing monthly close schedules in conjunction with monthly financials.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
It is expected that the Senior Accountant will:
TEAM WORK
- Establish a strong working partnership with the Vice President of Finance built on trust, hard work, and a shared passion and commitment.
- Develop strong positive relationships with colleagues, managers, students, mentors, donors, and external stakeholders in accordance with the spirit of SSP.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & ANALYSIS
- Oversee cash management. Coordinate with Development on cash collections and documents.
- Performgeneralcostaccountingdutiesrelating toFinanceandDevelopment.
- Maintain general ledger accounts and monitorandperformmonthlyreconciliationsonallbankaccounts.
- Updatefinancialrecordsviaaccountingsoftware.
- Update financial platform withpayroll expenses and other related benefit expenses.
- Reconcileallbalancesheetaccountsmonthly.
- Prepare and assist withdistributionof monthly financialsto management, includingendowmentreports, Board materials, and special projects.
- Secure financial information by coordinating with IT support to ensure database backups and confidentiality.
- Maintain accounting controls by following and keeping manual policies and proceduresupdated, complying with federal, state, and local financial legal requirements.
- Stay current on nonprofit industry knowledge – FASB/GAAP, best practices, and industry standards – and incorporate in the accounting processes.
- Maintain financial tracking systems for operations.
BUDGETING
- Prepare annual budget. Monitor and perform quarterly variance analysis between budget and actual.
- Assist with program and operations budgets in cooperation with the team. Provide confidence on the integrity of the budget.
- Develop annual program and operations budgets in cooperation with the team.
- Support all financial aspects of Development Department proposals and reports for grant and foundation applications. Assist management with gaining access to New York City, federal, and New York State grant portals as the Development Department evolves.
TREASURY
- Help manage banking relationships and provide support for SSP investments.
- Work closely with the Vice President of Finance to manage the Investment and Endowment Accounts.
- Help oversee cash management/banking activity for the organization.
- Oversee Accounts Receivable and Collections. Coordinate with Development to ensure timely collection and bad debt analysis.
- Oversee Accounts Payable Management and analysis ensuring timely payment of invoices and confirming validity of debt. Help manage vendors.
AUDIT & COMPLIANCE
- Coordinate annual audit preparation withauditorsandVice PresidentofFinancetoensureannualfederaland statetaxcompliancefilingsand stay current on state registrations and respective requirements.
- Work with outside auditors to ensure the organization is current on all accounting procedures. Ensure compliance and anticipate implications of any accounting rule changes.
- Coordinate annual audit preparation.
- Maintain and monitor financial controls and reporting systems.
- Support proposal and reporting requirements of the Development Department.
- Provide guidance on efficiencies and change management to drive financial form and direction for fundraising arm and programs
IDEAL EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, & CHARACTERISTICS
The Senior Accountant will be an inspired and energetic professional familiar with nonprofit accounting, finance, and development. Specifically, the ideal candidate will be or possess:
- Knowledge of nonprofit accounting, finance, and development. Recognized strength with financial controls.
- A hard-working, scrappy, professional ready to roll up their sleeves, learn, and contribute with energy and passion.
- Dedication to making an organization committed to student achievement and excellence run as efficiently as possible. Commitment to educational equity and access.
- Able to communicate financial information fluently to those with different levels of understanding of finance.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Impeccable attention to detail, deadlines, and follow-through.
- A consummate team player with a proven track record of success and enjoyment working collaboratively with others.
- Outgoing and straightforward, with skill to share information, listen, learn, and give advice.
- An optimist with a proactive and positive can-do attitude
- Experience with information systems and technology.
- Highest level of integrity and trustworthiness.
- BBA in Accounting with five years of nonprofit accounting experience.
- Experience with Bill.com and Blackbaud Financial Edge a plus.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is estimated at $125,000 to $140,000. SSP offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.
SSP seeks a diverse pool of candidates and will offer a competitive salary. Applications, including cover letters and résumés, and nominations should be sent to the attention of Paul Spivey at SSPSeniorAccountant@PhillipsOppenheim.com.