Manager, Accounting Job at COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND in Cleveland

Job Details

Job Location
College Now - Cleveland, OH

Position Type
Full Time

Description

An established leader in the Northeast Ohio civic landscape, College Now has been changing the lives of students in our region since 1967. We do this by providing college and career access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services to students from middle school through adulthood with a special focus on supporting those from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. An individual filling this position can expect to have a direct impact on Northeast Ohio students and families.

When you work for College Now, you are part of an innovative and visionary team, committed to College Now's mission, vision and values as we are committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive workplace for team members. Offering superior benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to make an impact on the community, College Now is where careers are made and grown.

Position title: Accounting Manager, Accounting/Finance Department

Status: full-time; exempt

Standard Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm, seasonal overtime

Location: Hybrid Schedule after initial training (generally 3 days in office and 2 days remote, depending on project work)

Reports To: Director of Finance

Starting Salary: Starting at $65,000 annually and increases with relevant experience.

Assigned To: Finance/Accounting Department

Position Summary:

The Accounting Manager is responsible for the day-to-day accounting operations of the organization's $38 million budget and provides fiscal responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and grants administration and compliance. The Accounting Manager will assist the Director of Finance in the creation and monitoring of the organization's policies regarding financial integrity, risk management, and business operations and ensures systems and procedures are in place to support accurate and efficient financial reporting, effective program implementation, and flawless annual audits. The Accounting Manager will work collaboratively across all departments of the organization and will supervise two accounting staff.

Essential Functions:

• The Accounting Manager will work closely with the Director of Finance and CFO to monitor and guide the financial direction of the organization to ensure College Now is successful and financially stable.
• Ensure accurate records of all financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities.
• Responsible for daily accounting operations; reviews and approves account distribution and supporting documentation for all financial data entered in the general ledger software package (assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenues, expenses and payroll).
• In conjunction with the Director of Finance, develops and administers financial reporting systems, internal controls and safeguards receipt of revenue, expenses and program budgets. Make recommendations to Director of Finance over new policies and procedures to safeguard organization's assets and ensure accuracy of financial reporting.
• Continuously collaborates with program managers to assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations.
• Collaboratively assist Director of Finance in supervision of two accounting staff.
• Oversee financial aspects of grants, including tracking expenditures, ensuring compliance with grant requirements, and reviewing financial reports for funders.
• Prepare for and coordinate annual external and periodic governmental audits, ensuring all necessary documentation is organized and complaint with regulations.
• Supports the CFO and Director of Finance in the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and performance analysis reports. Develops and coordinates necessary accounting and statistical data and reports for all departments.

Initiation, Planning:

• Developing and implementing financial policies and procedures that align with organizational goals and regulatory requirements. Ensuring documentation is updated and accurate for such policies and procedures.
• Identifying potential financial risks and challenges that could impact the organization's financial health.
• Preparing for annual audits by outlining timelines, necessary documentation, and key personnel involved in the planning process.
• Ensuring monthly and annual accounting activities meet required deadlines.

Execution/Operations, Management, and Monitoring:

• Prepare monthly reconciliations and schedules of various general ledger accounts.
• Oversees and supports timely monthly general ledger close; oversees all aspects of revenue and expenditure cycles.
• Ensuring proper and timely recording and classification of financial transactions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Overseeing daily accounting activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and cash management.
• Ensuring proper recording and classification of financial transactions in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Budgeting:

• Effectively allocating financial resources effectively departments and programs to meet organizational priorities.
• Regularly tracking actual revenues and expenditures against the budget, analyzing variances, and reporting findings to management.
• Producing budget reports that summarize financial performance and communicate key insights to management, fostering transparency and accountability.

Business Development Support:

• Providing financial data and insights to support fundraising efforts, including cost analysis or programs and potential return on investment (ROI) over new initiatives.
• Assisting in development of budgets for new projects or programs, ensuring alignment with financials goals and sustainability.
• Working closely with development and marketing teams to align financial strategies with fundraising campaigns and outreach efforts.

Leadership and Development of Staff:

• Assist in leading and managing the accounting team, providing guidance and support.
• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Setting clear performance expectations and conduct regular performance reviews. Providing constructive feedback and supporting career growth over accounting staff.

Research and Program Evaluation /Compliance:

• Evaluating the financial implications of various programs and initiatives.
• Assisting management in establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program effectiveness.
• Recommending new financial policies and procedures that promote compliance and ethical financial practices.
• Assisting management and making recommendations over new Accounting Standards Codification guidance.

Qualifications

Must-Have Skill:

• Experience with Financial Reporting and experience in analyzing financial statements in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Ability to develop, management, and monitor budgets, as well as create financial forecasts to support organizational planning.
• Familiarity with fund accounting, grant management, and compliance.
• Skills in establishing and maintaining internal controls to ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data.
• Strong analytical skills to assess financial performance, identify trends, and make data- driven recommendations to management.
• Ability to lead and mentor accounting staff, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Proficiency in communicating complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders and other departments.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with high attention to detail.

Must-Have Technical Skills:

• Experience with accounting software (i.e. Blackbaud or similar) for generating reports and managing financial data.
• Advanced skills in Excel for data analysis, modeling, and creating financial reports.
• Proficiency in maintaining and reconciling the general ledger.
• Familiarity with software or tools used for budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Ability to prepare documentation and schedules for audits, and familiarity with audit processes.
• Skills in analyzing financial data to support decision-making and strategy.
• Experience with systems for tracking grant expenditures and compliance.

Previous Work Experience:

• Five years of experience in a complex accounting environment (nonprofit preferred) or with a public accounting firm.
• Track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants preferred.
• Supervisory experience in a team environment with a collaborative focus.

Education Requirement:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance or equivalent experience. Certifications are a plus.

Disclaimer: "Nothing in this position description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time."