Gift Accounting and Data Specialist

Roles

This position processes all gifts and pledges to the university, creates new records and maintains biographical data on existing constituents in the donation/alumni database, maintains physical and electronic donor records, and assists in the donor stewardship program.

Responsibilities

• Complete all gift processing activities and entering of gifts into the Raiser’s Edge (RE) database.
• Manage the accurate scanning of all gifts into the document imaging system.
• Export/import gifts from 3rd party platforms into gift batches; troubleshoot data transformation issues as needed.
• Adjust gifts and pledges as directed by the Director of Advancement Services.
• Run monthly recurring gifts; reach out promptly to donors with lapsed cards.
• Transmit gift batches electronically to finance office and advancement team. Work closely with Finance to resolve any gift reconciliation issues.
• Process all corporate matching gift documentation.
• Complete internal gift reconciliation processes, fix problems and communicate any adjustments needed to maintain accuracy.
• Communicate with Director of Advancement Services to ensure accurate gift processing, financial integrity, and adherence to IRS and industry guidelines.
• Fulfill the gift receipting and acknowledgement process to standards of best practices.
• Write and/or work with marketing to create personalized acknowledgement pieces where needed in accordance with the donor stewardship program and pull lists as needed for stewardship program mailings.
• Work closely with event organizers to log RSVPs into events in the database and assist with payment processing and/or registration at various advancement or student-led events throughout the year (some in the evening).
• Track outstanding pledges and produce monthly pledge reminders to donors and reports as appropriate.
• Process in-coming mail; update Raiser’s Edge to match changes of address, etc.
• Assist in maintaining integrity of database and accuracy of constituent information.
• Pull lists as requested by advancement staff and/or other departments.
• Oversee the hiring and schedules of student employees.
• Assists in handling telephone calls and emails and providing customer service to alumni, donors and other constituents.
• Serve as a backup to the Director of Advancement Services.
• All other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Required-

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years’ experience in office work.
• Familiarity with general accounting practices and/or ability to work with mathematical figures accurately.
• Outstanding data entry skills.
• Familiarity with database software systems.
• Possess strong computer skills including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.…
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail, organizational and time management skills.
• Able to always maintain confidentiality.
• Able to perform required work with few or no errors.
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well in a team environment.
  
  

Preferred-

• Associate’s degree or higher.
• Accounting/Bookkeeping/Financial experience.
• Two years of experience with database software systems.
• Experience working in higher education and/or fundraising departments.
• Supervisory experience.
• Documented experience initiating and performing complex analysis of data.
  
  

Expectations

Northwood University has an institutional philosophy which emphasizes free enterprise in a context of limited government and individual responsibility. The ideal candidate will have a strong attraction to the mission and core values of Northwood University. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University’s outcomes at www.northwood.edu/aboutus/.