Endowment Accountant Job Atlanta area,Georgia USA,Accounting

Position Summary

This role supports budget and financial functions related to grants and contracts. Responsibilities include accounting, budgeting, reconciliation, compliance, and reporting for sponsored projects. The position ensures adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations while providing financial expertise to internal stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience:

At least five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience. Three (3) years of relevant experience handling endowments and gifts.

Experience preparing account reconciliations, journal entries, financial analyses, and month-end/year-end close activities.
Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( GAAP ), internal controls, and financial compliance requirements.
Experience with endowment/investment accounting, fund accounting, or donor-restricted funds preferred.
Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience in higher education, academic medicine, healthcare, foundation or nonprofit environments preferred but not required.
Experience with endowment accounting, investment accounting, and donor-restricted funds.
Experience preparing financial statement disclosures for investments and endowments.
Experience with ERP systems such as Banner, Workday, or similar financial systems.
Knowledge of FASB guidance related to investments, endowments, and net assets with donor restrictions.
Experience supporting external audits and preparing audit schedules.
Experience performing investment reconciliations and preparing investment roll forwards. Experience with process improvement initiatives and strengthening internal controls.

Description of Job Duty

Key Responsibilities

Prepare and record journal entries related to investment activity, including dividends, interest income, realized gains and losses, unrealized gains and losses, investment fees, and endowment distributions.
Perform monthly bank and other reconciliations of investment accounts, endowment funds, and related general ledger accounts.
Prepare and maintain investment and endowment roll forwards.
Monitor and account for donor-restricted, board-designated, and quasi-endowment funds.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual endowment and investment reports.
Assist with calculating and recording endowment spending allocations in accordance with institutional spending policies and donor restrictions.
Maintain supporting documentation for endowment agreements, investment statements, and donor-restricted fund activity.
Prepare schedules and supporting analyses for financial statements and management reports.
Assist in preparing investment, endowment, and fair value disclosures for the annual audited financial statements.
Coordinate investment confirmations and provide audit support for external auditors.
Research and resolve accounting and reconciliation discrepancies related to investments and endowment funds.
Collaborate with Advancement, Treasury, and Finance personnel to ensure proper recording and reporting of gifts, endowment contributions, and investment activity.
Assist with establishing and maintaining new endowment and donor-restricted funds.
Ensure compliance with donor restrictions, institutional policies, and applicable accounting standards.
Support ERP optimization efforts, financial system implementations, reporting enhancements, and process automation initiatives.
Develop and maintain accounting procedures and internal controls related to endowment and investment accounting.
Recommend process improvements to strengthen operational effectiveness and reporting accuracy.
Assist with month-end and year-end close activities.
Ensure compliance with institutional policies and applicable financial reporting requirements.
Work with campus stakeholders.
Prepare gift corrections and reconciliations.
Reconcile the ERP system to the Advancement system.
Ensure spending and distributions comply with donor agreements.
Maintain documentation supporting donor intent and fund restrictions.
Review gift agreements and supporting donor documentation.
Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles, including FASB guidance…