Senior Accountant

Description

If you are eager to make a meaningful impact, find fulfillment in your work, and join a community of dedicated individuals passionate about young people and education, consider working at Landon School, where we foster the intellect, health, and happiness of boys.

Situated on a picturesque 75-acre campus in Bethesda, Maryland, Landon is an all-boys school serving grades 3–12. At Landon, we believe all employees play a vital role in educating, supporting, and encouraging our boys.

Landon School is seeking a Senior Accountant to join its Business Office. Reporting to the Controller, the Accountant will play a key role in the School’s accounting operations, financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, audit preparation, and internal controls.

This is not an entry-level accounting position. The successful candidate will bring meaningful accounting experience, a strong understanding of GAAP, and the ability to independently manage accounting responsibilities, identify and resolve issues, and improve processes. Experience in nonprofit, independent school, higher education, or another fund-accounting environment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

General Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Support the Controller in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger, including preparing journal entries, accruals, prepaid expenses, deferred revenue, allocations, and other accounting entries.
• Perform monthly balance sheet and general ledger reconciliations, research and resolve discrepancies, and assist with monthly and annual close processes.
• Prepare financial reports and supporting schedules and analyze account activity and budget-to-actual results to identify unusual transactions, trends, errors, and necessary adjustments.

Nonprofit & Fund Accounting

• Support accounting and reconciliation for restricted and unrestricted funds, contributions and pledges, endowment and investment activity, and releases of donor restrictions.
• Maintain supporting schedules for restricted funds, endowments, capital projects, fixed assets, and other designated funds.
• Work closely with Development and other departments to ensure financial activity is accurately reconciled and recorded in the general ledger.

Cash, Investments & Balance Sheet Management

• Prepare and review bank, investment, and other significant balance sheet reconciliations and research and resolve outstanding items.
• Maintain schedules for cash, investments, prepaid expenses, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue, fixed assets, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Assist with recording investment activity, income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, fees, and other cash and investment activity.

Audit, Tax & Compliance

• Play a significant role in the annual financial statement audit, including preparing audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and responses to auditor requests.
• Assist the Controller with information required for Form 990 and other regulatory filings and help ensure compliance with GAAP and School accounting policies.
• Support the implementation of recommendations resulting from audits and internal control reviews.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Work with the Controller and CFO to evaluate accounting procedures, strengthen internal controls, and identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
• Help document accounting procedures, maintain appropriate segregation of duties, and support accounting system improvements and integrations.
• Proactively identify accounting issues and work with the Controller to develop and implement solutions.

Business Office Support

• Collaborate with the Controller, CFO, Accounts Payable, Student Accounts, Development, Auxiliary Programs, and other departments to ensure transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
• Provide accounting guidance to colleagues and serve as a resource on account coding, documentation, and appropriate accounting treatment.
• Serve as a backup for critical accounting functions and participate in Business Office projects and initiatives as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field with significant accounting coursework and a minimum of two years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP with demonstrated experience in general ledger accounting, reconciliations, journal entries, month-end close, financial reporting, and annual audits.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, experience with accounting systems, and strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and a high degree of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Preferred

• Accounting experience within a nonprofit organization, independent school, college/university, or other fund-accounting environment.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, including donor restrictions, contributions, endowments, investments, fixed assets, capital projects, and Form 990 preparation.
• Experience with Veracross or a similar accounting/ERP system and working directly with external auditors.
• CPA, CPA candidate, CMA, or another relevant professional accounting credential is preferred but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to joining a supportive and collaborative community, Landon School offers a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package. The expected salary range for this position is $85,000 - $100,000 annually. Landon is committed to supporting our employees both professionally and personally. Employees enjoy:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• A retirement plan with generous employer contributions
• Generous amount of paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability protection
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Complimentary daily lunch on campus
• And more!