Senior Accountant - Gift Accounting

Position Summary:

The Senior Accountant is part of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), Gift and Endowment Accounting Team at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for supporting gift accounting operations by partnering with DAR team members to ensure that donor contributions are accurately and completely accounted for in the university’s general ledger system in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting principles.  This position facilitates and maintains strong, collaborative relationships with the Gift and Donor Services team, Central Finance, the university’s business community as well as the university’s faculty, staff, and students. 

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.  You can find more information at www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

The Gift and Endowment Accounting Team is a part of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) Finance and Operations Team.  DAR’s mission is to engage Vanderbilt’s diverse group of families, friends, and corporations and foundations in the life and inclusivity of the university; to ensure an active and committed alumni community; and to encourage financial investment in Vanderbilt’s programs and scholarships. 

Gift and Endowment Accounting specifically supports this mission by ensuring that donor financial investments in the university are accurately captured and reported in the university’s accounting systems.  To this end, the team performs accounting related activities for all donor contributions to the university including the maintenance of the university’s unit accounting system and management of the university’s split interest funds. 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as it relates to donor contributions to the university.  Specifically, ensure that contributions are appropriately classified by net asset class in the university’s general ledger system. 
• Perform timely, accurate, and complex reconciliations including, but not limited to, the reconciliation of the DAR clearing account.
• Prepare gift accounting related journal entries ensuring adequate and complete documentation exists.
• Serve as an accounting liaison with university departments regarding gift activity.
• Monitor, account for and report on gifts in kind
• Perform daily reconciliations for daily gift deposits and reconcile daily bank activity to VandyQuest and the ledger
• Prepare weekly uploads to Oracle Cash Management to recognize DAR deposit activity.
• Coordinate monthly accounting for Alumni Relations and other DAR deposit activities.
• Account for stock gifts and their proceeds.
• Assist with various reporting requests and ad hoc reporting and analysis.
• Performing other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships:

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Director of Accounting for Development and Alumni Relations.

Work Environment:

This position will be located in the Nashville area and will be hybrid, meaning it will require being in the office about one day per week, or more depending on business needs.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting, finance or related field from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• CPA or MACC/MBA is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• 3 years of accounting experience is necessary.
• Skill in intermediate Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications is necessary.
• Time management skills and the ability to manage a high-volume workload based on weekly, monthly are quarterly deadlines is necessary.
• Ability to work well in a team environment is necessary.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, general ledger, and gift processing is necessary.
• Proven detail-oriented work style in collaboration with effective written and verbal communication skills is preferred.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, understanding their needs and goals is preferred. 
• Ability to work co-operatively with others as part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively, is preferred.
• Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, with individuals or groups is preferred.
• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders is preferred.
• Values the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.