Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

• You are responsible for the financial and information technology support for the Foundation. Your duties will include but not be limited to working closely with the Vice President for Finance & Administration (VPF) as well as other members of the leadership team on accounting, grants, donor and lending systems management in addition to account reconciliations, financial analysis, budget maintenance and coordination, audit support and other financial reporting needs; report regularly to the VPF.

• You will help the VPF identify, develop, implement and manage internal controls and procedures designed to prevent or detect fraud, errors and irregularities in our financial reporting and other supporting systems.  You will audit the internal controls and report any errors or irregularities to the VPF.  By maintaining strong internal controls and procedures, this will help ensure the integrity of our financial reporting, including but not limited to financial statements in compliance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), budgets, forecasts, analysis and cash-flow projections for leadership and the Board of Directors as well as the data that supports compliance with our program grants, loan reporting, special projects and component fund financial reporting.

• You will coordinate all software projects. You will coordinate with various teams of comprised of some of our staff and external consultants.  You will work with our teams to develop reports needed for leadership and the Board of Directors to make important decisions for the Foundation.  You will maintain all staff user accounts and levels of authorized access as appropriate per the hired position.  You will manage and maintain all file storage systems.  You will provide supportive IT-related services to all departments, especially Philanthropic Services where you will participate in annual fund allotment and fee calculations and development of communication letters to fund advisors. You will also help manage our lending software to make sure it properly supports our loans receivable and provide data for understanding the current risk status of our loans.

• You will make sure the accounts within Statements of Position (Balance Sheet) and Activities (Income Statement) are properly reconciled and supported by reasonableness analysis where appropriate.  You will assist the VPF with preparing for the annual audit.  You will review bank reconciliations prepared by the Staff Accountant and compile the Loan Fund Dollars Available Report for our lending team. You will reconcile financial grant activity and prepare grant reports for VPF and Program Officer review at least quarterly.  You will also help provide key calculations and participate in new grant applications with various non-profit and governmental agencies.  You will monthly assess component funds spendable investment balances for compliance with the Investment Policy in addition to performing the monthly Investment Performance Allocations to all funds.  You will be introduced to our banking and investment managers as part of maintaining the Foundation’s relationships with these organizations.  You will assist the Philanthropic Services team by providing important fund information pertaining to fund status regarding the issuance of scholarships.  You will assist the Staff Accountant with calendar year-end reporting of 1099’s and other pertinent filings.   

• With respect to administration, you will assist the VPF to ensure the Foundation has effective information technology resources for the operations of the Foundation, including cybersecurity measures and ongoing risk analysis; you will assist with the administration of the benefits package for all staff; you will also assist with managing the Foundation’s insurance coverage, including ongoing risk analysis; you will assist the VPF in supporting the Development Team on complex gifts, planned giving, annuities, etc.  You will assist the VPF collect any delinquent rents from tenants.  

• All other duties as assigned.

What success looks like;

• You are an individual with a thorough knowledge of GAAP, fund, lending, and foundation/nonprofit accounting practices and standards. You have a strong understanding of government contracting, external grants, and managing complex revenue streams. You apply this knowledge and understanding to manage the cash-flow for the organization and to protect the financial strength of the organization. You are knowledgeable about legal, regulatory, and other compliance requirements and you ensure that the organization is meeting and exceeding necessary compliance requirements. You assist the VPF to maintain a system of strict internal controls that prevent or detect fraud or errors in a timely manner.

• You will be a leader in the organization for strict adherence to internal controls and all policies and procedures. You will nurture a culture of high operational excellence and lead others in the organization through your example of courteousness, prompt resolutions, and answers to inquiries and requests from external and internal sources. You will be a person who demonstrates a high level of initiative and collaboration in working as a member of the senior management team.

• You will provide quality communication and collaboration in all interactions, including external individuals and internal staff and board members. You excel at fielding multiple requests at once with efficiency, prioritization, clear communication, and accuracy. You seek to work with other staff in a team-first approach. You approach management and supervision from a people-centered perspective and seek to support and develop staff.

• You are an individual with a breadth of knowledge in multiple administrative functions for the organization and can lead the organization and other staff in these areas including: information technology and cybersecurity, asset management, planned giving and other complex gifts.
   

• The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is committed to growing a fair and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. You are a person that will embrace opportunities to develop and grow in your skills to strengthen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Foundation and for our region.

Ownership of:

• Financial accounting of reconciliations and supporting documentation for reporting of financial conditions of the Foundation, including internal controls
• Coordination of maintaining and expanding existing information technology resources
• Administrative managerial support for the Foundation, especially in tracking cybersecurity threats and assisting the VPF manage insurance policies that seek to protect the Foundation’s assets and information.

Will collaborate in:

• With the VPF and Senior Leadership, the integrity of our information technology, database management, and financial reporting support of the Foundation
• With the President, Board of Directors, and Executive team of staff, adherence to all policies and procedures as set forth by the Board of Directors and management

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a preferred focus or specialization in Accounting or Finance or Certified Public Accountant
• Minimum of 3 years of accounting or financial reporting experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Communication skills consistent with reporting to Board of Directors, President, Leadership and Staff
• Proficiency in technology, accounting information systems and/or cloud-based computer systems
• Project and grant management, reconciliation and reporting
• Customer service skills for internal and external customers including but not limited to staff, fund advisors, donors, agency contacts, investment managers, etc.
• Passion for the mission of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation

This position is salaried, commensurate with experience.

The primary location for this position will be in Bemidji, at the main office for the Foundation.

This position will require travel locally, regionally, state-wide, and potentially nationally.

To apply, email cover letter, resume, and references by December 12th, to John Shimkus, johns@nwmf.org

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, pregnancy, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations.