What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director of Gift Accounting and Data Integrity position at Lafayette College?
Lafayette College is a highly selective liberal arts and engineering institution with an endowment in the top 2% of independent colleges nationally. We challenge our students to move beyond the familiar—to take intellectual risks, engage deeply, and develop into thoughtful leaders. Our beautiful campus overlooks the historic Delaware River, and our students, faculty, and staff take pride in the vibrant, inclusive community that defines Lafayette.
The Associate Director of Gift Accounting and Data Integrity serves as a critical member of the Advancement Operations team, ensuring that all philanthropic contributions to Lafayette College are accurately recorded, receipted, and reported in alignment with IRS regulations, CASE
standards, and college policies. This position plays a key role in upholding data accuracy and financial integrity across advancement systems, while also supporting the effective stewardship of donors.
Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement Operations, the Associate Director supervises the Gift Accounting and Data Integrity Technician and the Accounting Technician. This position collaborates with partners across Advancement, Finance, and Information Technology Services to ensure seamless integration and alignment of gift processing and data standards.
- Oversee the accurate and timely processing, entry, and reconciliation of all charitable gifts, pledges, matching gifts, stock transfers, and other philanthropic contributions in accordance with IRS and CASE guidelines.
- Maintain robust internal controls and audit procedures for gift and pledge documentation, accounting entries, and data integrity to ensure compliance and financial transparency.
- Supervise and mentor three direct reports, providing training, feedback, and professional development support to maintain high standards of performance and accountability.
- Ensure alignment between Advancement gift records and the Finance Office, including reconciliation of Advancement revenue with the general ledger and endowment reports.
- With the Senior Executive Director, serve as Advancement’s liaisons to the Finance Office for matters related to gift accounting, audit requests, and gift agreements.
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures related to gift acceptance, entry, receipting, and acknowledgment; ensure consistent application across all fundraising programs.
- Partner with Advancement Operations and reporting staff to support data quality efforts, including routine audits, record hygiene, and system-wide data governance practices.
- Respond to internal and external requests for financial gift data, donor giving histories, and audit verifications.
- Stay current on evolving IRS regulations, CASE standards, and best practices in gift accounting and donor data management.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of five years of professional experience in gift processing, gift accounting, or advancement services in a higher education or nonprofit environment.
- Strong knowledge of IRS regulations, CASE standards, and FASB principles related to gift accounting and donor receipting.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and data integrity in financial recordkeeping.
- Experience working with fundraising CRM systems such as Ellucian CRM Advance or equivalent platforms.
- High level experience in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
- Ability to supervise, mentor, and manage staff in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
- Commitment to upholding confidentiality and safeguarding sensitive donor information.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Experience with Ellucian CRM Advance.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical or regulatory topics to a non-technical audience.
- Experience in working with data integration processes between Advancement and Finance systems.
- Understanding of fundraising campaigns, donor relations, and stewardship practices.
- Knowledge of fundraising analytics and the role of data in campaign and donor strategy.
Please provide cover letter, resume and contact information for three references. https://apply.interfolio.com/177132
Lafayette is deeply committed to creating a diverse community, one that is responsive inclusive and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share in the responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.
