"Investment/Endowment Accountant"

Description

The Investment/Endowment Accountant is a key member of the Controller's Office within the Finance and Administration Division of Suffolk University. The position has overall responsibility for the accurate and timely accounting of endowment funds, including recording transactions, reconciling investment accounts, and preparing financial reports for stakeholders. This role requires strong analytical skills, proficiency in accounting software and Excel, and a deep understanding of GAAP and UPMIFA. Primary duties include managing the annual spending distribution process, ensuring compliance with donor intent and institutional policies, and collaborating with investment advisors, Advancement staff and external auditors. The Investment/Endowment Accountant supports and attends meetings of the Investment Subcommittee.

Primary Responsibilities:

Investment Accounting and Administration:

• Serves as key staff contact for relationship with external investment consultant. Administers new investment subscriptions and other portfolio changes.
• Enters Investment statements to record accounting in Workday. Prepares monthly reconciliations, including Investments to Endowment. Compiles investment footnotes for annual financial statements.
• Prepares the University's response to the investment portion of surveys.
• Works with Advancement to administer planned giving activity, including CRUTs and charitable gift annuities.
• Assists with preparing reports, data and/or meeting documents for the Investment Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees.

Spendable Gift and Endowment Management and Administration:

• Calculates annual endowment appropriation in alignment with the University's Statement of Investment Objectives, Goals and Policy Guidelines.
• Reviews gift agreements for proper fund classification and to ensure they align with University policies.
• Determines available budgets for individual endowment funds and spendable gift funds and works with Student Financial Services and the Budget Office to put them to use. Monitors gift budgets to actual to ensure they are not overspent.
• Onboards new stewards of gifts to properly understand restrictions, Workday reporting and recording of offsetting expenditures. Resolves issues with administration of restricted funds as required and on a timely basis.
• Processes the monthly endowment unitization, investment return and spend allocation.
• Prepares the University's response to the endowment portion of annual surveys.
• Prepares monthly reconciliations. Compiles endowment footnotes for annual financial statements.
• Provides support and assistance to the Controller in preparing schedules for the interim and yearend external audits and provide support for month, quarter and year-end close activities and processes.
• Collaborates with VP for Advancement to develop a clear framework for endowments, restricted funds and all other charitable gifts to the University; helps develop timely, responsive reporting tools.

Other Duties:

• Participates in internal and external meetings as required, including the Investment Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees. Takes minutes at the Investment Subcommittee meetings.
• Supports and partners with the Vice President of Advancement, the Controller, the University Budget Director, as needed.

Requirements:

• 5-7 years' experience in financial operations; non-profit/higher education environment or a foundation is preferred; endowment accounting experience a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.
• CPA or CTP certification as well as knowledge of investments and not-for-profit endowment management a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• High level interpersonal skills, with ability to work and collaborate with diverse staff at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to evaluate and document business processes and internal controls and identify areas of potential improvement.
• Experience with financial accounting software and reporting tools; Workday Financials preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Excel