Finance Specialist I

Position:    Finance Specialist I

Reports to:    Director of Finance & Controller

Compensation:    This is a full-time, non-exempt, grade 5 position

Date:     December 2019

Summary

Responsible for supporting the finance functions including trading, reconciliation, funds movement, bank activities, project requests as needed, and providing depth within the Accounting and Financial Services Department.  

Duties and Responsibilities

1.    Performs daily trading functions from reconciliation through to trade preparation and submission including cash movements.  

2.    Serves as the gatekeeper of the daily trade window.  Uses a decision matrix based on several factors to determine what trades are processed during the trading window.   

3.    Performs multiple different reconciliation activities for daily trade file, the mutual fund accounts, and wire accounts.  Identifies issues, determines root cause, identifies risks and implements appropriate solutions to resolve issues and ensures transactions are settled in an expedient time frame.    

4.    Prepares work papers related to the accounting close such as monthly trade summary and cash control schedules.  Uses ReconArt to prepare month-end journal entries for pool transactions.

5.    Requests copies of bank cancelled grant checks to research when grants do not go through as expected.  Processes stop payments for grant checks as required.    

6.    Prepares daily trade summary in the prescribed format.

7.    Prepares daily grant wire and bank wire including creating unique wire templates and processing bank ACH and wires for grant payments. Funds weekly electronic grant payments.  Partners with stakeholders at the banks as well as Vanguard to ensure wires are processed and funded appropriately.    

8.    Researches and resolves any Vanguard wire room inquiries to address overdrafts, etc.  

9.    Builds relationships and partners with internal and external stakeholders to investigate and resolve transactions, notify and seek approval from Vanguard for large trades, and provides guidance regarding market impact of various different transactions.  Communicates status and resolution proactively to relevant stakeholders.   

10.    Serves as primary backup for brokerage associate which requires the processing of daily donor brokerage contributions.  

11.    Seeks out efficiencies and improvements in the finance and accounting business processes and implements solutions after consultation with relevant stakeholders.

12.    Safeguards the assets of Vanguard Charitable (VC) and its records.  Ensures full regulatory compliance and observes the Principles of the Code of Conduct set forth by the AICPA.  

13.    Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications

•    B.S. Degree in Accounting/Finance or relevant combination of training and experience.  

•    Two  years relevant experience preferred.

•    Must have knowledge of different types of investments and the ability to navigate multiple systems.  

•    Advanced Excel skills and proficient with other Microsoft Office products.

•    Detail oriented with strong problem identification and resolution skills.

•    Strong verbal and written communication skills.

•    Works independently, and collegially, with minimal supervision.

•    Maintains the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards in all activities.