Staff Accountant

This position is responsible for preparing and maintaining financial records and reports, preparing and processing account reconciliations, and assisting with the annual external audit. Responsibilities also include accounting for the Foundation's charitable gift annuity and trust programs. The Staff Accountant will support the Accounting Manager and Controller and respond to requests for information and accounting analysis from other internal stakeholders. Success requires accurate oversight of general ledger accounts and accounting procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Foundation's risk and control framework.

Hybrid Work Model:

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) operates under a hybrid work model, with the expectation that all staff be onsite at least 2-3 times per week. Our office is located in McNamara Alumni Center on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.

Responsibilities

Oversight of General Ledger Accounts (40%)

• Oversee general ledger accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and Foundation internal controls.
• Perform account analysis and reconciliations for review by accounting manager.
• Review general ledger accounts and prepare and process journal entries.
• Analyze transactions with internal and external stakeholders for errors/discrepancies; Answer accounting and financial questions and resolve problems by researching and interpreting data.
• Monitor and investigate unposted journal entries and make corrections as needed.
• Assist with preparation of audit and other external financial reporting as required.
• Develop and implement accounting procedures by analyzing current procedures and recommending changes.
• Assist with implementation of new accounting pronouncements and related process changes.
• Identify and propose opportunities for process improvement.
• Provide back-up for verification step of accounts payable as needed during busy times.
• Assist in the review and processing of daily mail.
• Other duties as assigned.

Accounting for Planned Gifts (25%)

• Review and set up administration of all new gift annuities and trusts.
• Financial management and oversight of planned gift accounts. This includes payment management, calculating present values of gift annuities and creating ad hoc financial reports.
• Attend monthly status meetings with Gift Planning team.
• Work with Development Officers and Gift Planning officers to close out proceeds on terminated annuities and trusts.
• Prepare, process and analyze journal entries upon set up, quarterly updates of market value, and termination of gift annuities and trusts.
• Prepare and file annual state gift annuity filings.
• Responsible for preparing and mailing annual 1099-R forms.

Cash Management (20%)

• Provide back-up to daily monitoring of cash accounts, including processing gift transmittals for EFT & wire gifts and resolving any errors/problems.
• Provide backup to daily reconciliation and release of credit card and event revenue when received.
• Complete monthly credit card reconciliation and resolve any discrepancies.
• Complete weekly cash deposit reconciliation and resolve any discrepancies.

Stock Gift Management (15%)

• Work with donors, donors' representatives and development officers to facilitate gifts of stock.
• Daily monitoring of brokerage account activity, including working with broker to identify donor and sell stock in a timely manner.
• Maintain audit work-papers for stock gifts and prepare monthly reconciliation of activity for review by manager of accounting.
• Value stock and prepare back-up for gift entry.
• Prepare back-up for sales proceeds and complete journal entries.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a combination of education and relevant accounting experience to total four years
• Extensive work with spreadsheet and accounting databases
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, research, and demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive material in a confidential manner and to maintain data integrity.
• Commitment to quality and high performance standards.
• Ability to take initiative and function independently and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritize activities and achieve excellent customer service while ensuring timely completion of assignments.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of accounting experience.
• Experience in a financial environment.

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Pay Range: $56,000- 66,000/ year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).