What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Accountant position at The Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta?
Staff Accountant
Department: Finance/Accounting
Reports to: Senior Accountant
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 Staff Accountant supports day-to-day accounting operations with a focus on cash activity, gift processing, accounts receivable, and general ledger accuracy across the Foundation and its affiliated entities. Reporting to the Senior Accountant, this role is responsible for timely and accurate transaction processing, maintaining strong internal controls, and supporting audit and financial reporting processes. The Staff Accountant plays a key role in ensuring operational efficiency and data integrity in a fast-paced, growing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Cash and General Accounting
- Monitor banks daily for cash activities.
- Prepare and record journal entries for capital calls and application fees.
- Deposit and record checks in the bank and research unidentified transactions.
- Record journal entries for cash receipts, cash disbursements; travel expense reports, affiliate rebills, and monthly close entries.
- Process routine cash transfers for the CFGA, Supporting Organizations, and Impact Investing.
- Monitor positive pay in the bank to support fraud prevention, accuracy, and compliance.
Gifts and Revenue Processing
- Record gifts, including cash, credit card, and stock gifts in the subledger and ledger.
- Maintain the stock gifts in compliance with company policy.
- Monitor clearing accounts and ensure timely recording of investment-related gifts.
- Review interfund gifts and grants activities for accuracy.
- Assist with tracking pledges and planned gift activities.
Accounts Receivable Support
- Supports the full accounts receivable lifecycle, including invoice generation, and monitoring outstanding balances.
- Assist with affiliate rebills and collections tracking.
Month-End Close, Audit, Tax, and Financial Reporting Support
- Record general ledger activities, travel expense reports, and monthly close entries.
- Assist in preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation for annual audit and tax filings.
- Assist with the preparation and recording of monthly asset fee accruals to support accurate monthly financial reporting.
- Prepare and record monthly allocation journal entries.
- Customer Service Support and manage the gifts email inbox and coordinate responses to inquiries from the Philanthropy team and donors, ensuring timely follow-up and accurate information.
- Deliver high-quality customer service to all Foundation stakeholders.
- Follow internal controls and accounting procedures.
- Support cross-training and documentation of processes as needed.
General Support
- Stay abreast of accounting best practices and developments in the field.
- Provide backup support across accounting functions as needed.
- Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Accountant.
- Minimum 3- 5 years of solid accounting experience with a bachelor’s degree in accounting; preferred nonprofit experience.
- Preferred experience includes hands-on accounting and exposure to multiple accounting systems.
- Solid understanding of nonprofit, fund, and investment accounting principles.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, but also Outlook and Word.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
- Highly self-motivated, detailed, and results oriented.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills (listening, interpersonal, oral, written).
- Ability to organize and prioritize daily work and multiple requests/projects while managing long-term assignments.
- Self-starter with initiative to proactively investigate discrepancies and offer process improvements.
- Ability to effectively utilize accounting software.
- Ability to work in a team-based environment with cross-functional processes.
- A high degree of professionalism, confidence, and flexibility that allows the incumbent to work collaboratively and effectively with stakeholders and colleagues of diverse backgrounds.
- A 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 $65,000 - $70,000 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 "Staff 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 : $65,000 - $70,000