Assistant Controller

Carnegie Science • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

The Assistant Controller participates as a senior member of the unit responsible for Carnegie’s financial reporting and operations. Major functions include preparing monthly financial statements and related analytical reviews, providing guidance and support to divisional business officers and Central HQ colleagues. Conducts research and performs general ledger maintenance, account reconciliation, ensures the integrity of the general ledger by helping in the preparation and review of complex accounting applications and preparing complex journal entries such as reconciling custodian reports, and recording endowment investment activities. Carnegie has complex accounting and financial reporting responsibilities, including a major endowment with significant alternative investments, substantial gifts in a variety of forms and purposes, partnering arrangements with other institutions, major federal and private grants, capital projects, decentralized operations and certain revenue producing activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
• CPA candidate required; license strongly preferred
• Minimum of eight years of work experience with increasing responsibility in the matter(s) described above, with account research and reconciliation experience being mandatory
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience managing staff
• Strong experience with SaaS-based accounting software packages; Carnegie uses Netsuite, Pyango and eXtendTech
• Knowledge of accounting best practices
• Demonstrated intermediate Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Able to prepare and import .csv files into the accounting system.
• Experience using technology to improve productivity
• Able to influence, persuade and negotiate effectively while building collaborative relationships and effective work-groups
• Able to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and provide high quality service to a range of internal and external clients.
• Able to understand and conduct detailed transactions/processes, and understand the contextual impact of such transactions.
• Demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset
• Effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to deliver difficult messages with tact and diplomacy and encourage compliance and good citizenship

Nice To Haves

• MBA or MS in Accounting
• Active CPA license
• Experience with big 4 auditing firms
• Experience working within a non-profit or research institution is preferred.
• Experience with Netsuite, Pynago, and eXtendTech
• Experience successfully adapting and implementing new systems and applications

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly financial statements and related analytical reviews.
• Assists with annual financial statement preparation including the treatment of complex transactions through footnotes and other reporting mechanisms, such as investments, property and equipment, partner contributions and employee benefit plans.
• Directly manages Central HQ accountants; indirectly provides support for the divisional business offices.
• Prepare and/or review accurate and timely journal entries related to effort reporting, indirect costs, fixed assets, capitalization of construction-in-progress, investments, receivables and health care charges.
• Serve as a resource for technical accounting issues
• Perform and support fund accounting activities, including fund-level reporting and an understanding of underlying fund structures.
• Assist the Controller in assessing the impact and planning for impending accounting standard changes.
• Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of Carnegie Science’s general ledger and how it functions.
• Manage the monthly close and account reconciliation processes. Respond quickly and accurately to requests for information in the general ledger.
• Review and approve account payable transactions including travel expense reports.
• Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of Carnegie Science’s general ledger and how it functions, manage account reconciliation process, respond quickly and accurately to requests for information in the general ledger.
• Primary liaison for various external reports including Forms 1099 and 990, various State information returns, Personal Property tax returns and census.
• Primary liaison during financial and single audits, manages PBC list, prepares supporting schedules, reviews submissions, and coordinates auditor requests.
• Represent the Finance office and the Controller as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level