Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

Department: Finance/Accounting

Reports to: Accounting Manager

Classification: Regular; Full-time

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1951, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (The Foundation) ranks among the 15 largest community foundations in the U.S. and has deep roots in the region’s civic infrastructure. It plays a pivotal role in addressing systemic barriers in affordable housing, the arts, equity, and economic opportunity while connecting generosity to impact across the community.

The Foundation is one of the nation’s premier philanthropic institutions, managing over $1.6 billion in assets and serving as a trusted partner to more than 1,000 donors and nonprofit organizations. The Foundation works to inspire and lead our region toward equity and shared prosperity for all who call our region home. We work with residents, neighborhoods and civic leaders across public, private and philanthropic sectors to seize the greatest opportunities and solve the region’s most pressing challenges.

Role Summary 

The Senior Accountant is responsible for executing and leading day-to-day accounting activities, including general ledger management, reconciliations, financial reporting, and audit support. This role serves as the primary operational lead for the Foundation’s full-cycle accounting and financial reporting processes across its traditional, institutional donors, and affiliated entities, provides technical guidance to staff, and ensures accuracy and timeliness of financial data across the Foundation and supporting organizations.

Key Responsibilities 

Key responsibilities include overseeing cash transfers and weekly payment activities (including credit cards and expense reimbursements); reviewing journal entries, cash receipts, and recurring payroll entries; managing the quarterly receivables process for affiliates; reviewing monthly allocations, close entries, and reconciliations (including grants and accounts payable); overseeing the preparation and distribution of Forms 1099; supporting the annual audit and federal tax return; preparing annual budget entries; and developing financial reports for Finance leadership. This role is a key member of the financial reporting team, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant accounting and reporting across all entities.

General Accounting & Close

• Support the full cycle accounting process of the Foundation’s traditional funds, institutional donors, and affiliated entities.
• Review journal entries to record general ledger activity, cash receipts, cash disbursements; travel expense reports, affiliate rebills, and monthly closing entries.
• Review general journal including the recurring semi-monthly payroll entries for all entities prepared by Staff Accountant including QTE transfer requests from Human Resources.
• Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations and sub-ledger activity (including planned gifts, other non-investment assets, and gift and grant sub-ledgers to the general ledger as prepared by Staff Accountant). 
• Review monthly grant and accounts payable reconciliations prepared by the accountant and collaborate to resolve variances. 
• Prepare the quarterly affiliate rebill and manage the receivable process, including monitoring and resolving outstanding balances. 
• Review annual budget entries for upload into the accounting system as prepared by the accountant. 

Payments, Treasury & Disbursements

• Oversee weekly payment processes, including cash transfers, corporate credit cards, and employee reimbursements and supporting organizations. 
• Support treasury functions related to accounts payable, including ACH/wire template setup, positive pay, management of outstanding checks, and other items to support the team. 
• Review payment requests for compliance, including evaluation of withholding requirements for U.S. and non-U.S. consultants and entities. 

Audit, Tax & Financial Reporting Support

• Prepare audit lead schedules, supporting documentation, and PBC deliverables, and assist with the annual consolidated audit and federal tax return for the Foundation.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and related schedules necessary to meet the needs of the Foundation. 
• Review and support year-end Forms 1099 preparation and distribution to recipients and Internal Revenue Service. 
• Ensure accounting records and documentation are complete, accurate, and audit-ready. 

Coordination & Technical Support

• Coordinate with the Accounting Manager and broader team to ensure timely completion of deliverables and projects and provide guidance as necessary. 
• Provide day-to-day technical guidance, training, and support to accounting staff. 
• Promote consistency, documentation, and cross-training across accounting processes. 
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities. 
• Stay current on accounting, financial reporting, and tax compliance.

General Support

• Provide backup support across accounting functions as needed to ensure continuity of operations. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Accounting Manager and Director of Finance

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting
• A minimum of five years of accounting experience, with at least two years of nonprofit experience
• Sound knowledge of general accounting principles and nonprofit-specific accounting procedures
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word and the ability to effectively utilize accounting software
• Ability to generate data from an accounting system to prepare detailed financial reports and analyze statistical and financial information
• Sound leadership skills to effectively manage, develop and support staff in their growth
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and results oriented
• Self-starter with initiative to proactively investigate discrepancies and offer process improvements
• Excellent customer service and communication skills (listening, interpersonal, oral, written)
• Proficient writing, editing and proofreading skills with the ability to gather and organize information appropriately
• Excellent ability to organize and prioritize daily work, multiple requests or assignments, and deadlines, while managing long-term assignments
• A high degree of professionalism, confidence, and flexibility that allows the incumbent to work collaboratively and effectively with stakeholders and colleagues of diverse backgrounds
• Excellent ability to work well in a team environment, and maintain a good working relationship with staff, vendors, auditors, donors, financial institutions, and nonprofit partners
• Demonstrated clear commitment to equity of opportunity and a genuine respect for diversity, equity and inclusion

Other:

The Community Foundation operates in a hybrid working environment with staff working in-office three days per week (Tuesday – Thursday) and the opportunity to work two days remote per week if in good standing. 

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (medical and religious exemption accommodation possible) within 30 days of hire.

Compensation: 

To be determined based upon experience and qualifications within the anticipated salary range of $85,000 - $95,000 per year. This position is exempt, and employee is eligible for the Foundation’s competitive health and benefits plan that includes:   

• Two weeks accrued paid vacation 
• Two weeks accrued paid sick leave 
• Four mental health days 
• Two personal days 
• Two floating holidays 
• Ten holidays 

Benefits: 

• All benefits effective on date of hire – no waiting period 
• 100% employer-paid benefits (medical, dental, vision) for employee-only insurance plans 
• 100% employer-paid life insurance and AD&D 
• 100% employer-paid short-term disability and long-term disability 
• 100% employer-paid parking downtown Atlanta or monthly MARTA card 
• Affordable plans for legal insurance, critical illness, supplemental life, and more 
• Employee Assistance Program 

Retirement: 

• Immediate eligibility to contribute to a 403(b) plan, plus a 6% employer-paid contribution after one year of employment—regardless of employee contributions. 
• Culture and Development: 
• Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for each team member including trainings, resources, development opportunities, etc. 
• Two Wellness Rooms for mental health with self-care items 
• Fun monthly employee engagement activities 

To Apply:

Please apply directly through the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta’s Careers Page by submitting your resume and application to the "Senior Accountant” job posting. 

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta values diversity and inclusion; therefore we honor the diverse needs, strengths, voices, and backgrounds of all individuals in our regional community.

Salary : $85,000 - $95,000