Lead Accountant

Location: Villanova

Posting Number: S

Position Title:

Lead Accountant Position Type:
Staff

Location:

Villanova, PA Recruitment Type:
Internal/External Applicants

Work Schedule:

full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week Department: 431-Controller's Office

Position Summary:

Why work at Villanova?

* Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University's founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.

* Villanova has been included among the nation's best colleges and universities. VU's inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report's 2023 "Best Colleges" rankings is another indication of the University's continued prominence and forward momentum.

* We believe that an inclusive community fosters an understanding and appreciation for diversity among our students, faculty, staff and administrators. The UNITAS Office of Community Enrichment works to address issues of equity and justice in a variety of ways including workshops, events and employee resource groups.

* Villanova's most precious asset is our people. Even as a part-time employee, you will receive access to certain benefits, including tuition assistance and more.

Reporting to the Assistant Controller, the Lead Accountant is responsible for the accounting of the University's investments and investment activity, gifts, and a variety of general accounting and financial functions, ensuring accurate and timely recording and reporting of financial data in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and donor and other restrictions. The Lead Accountant is also responsible for supervising the Cash Accountant and providing daily visibility into University operating fund flows for leadership.

The Lead Accountant works with appropriate functional areas to review, and develop, policies and procedures, to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, as well as University business processes and internal controls. The Lead Accountant will assist with preparation of various tax forms and ensure payments and filings are completed in a timely and accurate manner. The individual in this position will also assist in developing financial reports to use in reviewing financial performance, as well as assist departments by providing financial system data as needed.

The Lead Accountant will maintain strong functional knowledge of the University's financial information system, assist in testing new system functionality and upgrades, and provides support and training to the University community.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University's mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Endowment:
Oversee and maintain the accounting related to the University's investments and investment activity in accordance with GAAP. On a monthly basis, reconcile the G/L to the third-party custodian statements, making required journal entries as necessary, and book entries related to investment activity, accurately classifying income, gains, expenses, etc. Provide required and requested information to third-party service providers for inclusion in monthly reports for upper management and the Board.

Throughout the year, ensure that endowment net assets are properly accounted for in the accounting system, based on donor and other restrictions. Work in conjunction with the Investments Office for proper maintenance of all investment accounts.

Specific tasks include but are not limited to:

* Maintain fund records.

* Reconciliation of General Ledger with records of outside funds custodians.

* Provide required and requested information to third party service providers.

* Provide accounting support to the Investments Office as needed.

* Oversight of receipts and disbursements in and out of the funds, including managing reimbursement of Investment Office management expenses.

* Prepare management reports on endowment fund activity for senior financial management and for departments within the University.

* Coordinate the preparation and monthly distribution of reports on activity in individual endowment funds to the Advancement Office.

* Work with third party service providers to ensure liquidity information on custodians and funds are updated and maintained accurately.

* Assist Investment Office with surveys relating to investments, endowments, etc.

* Continued review of accounting entries and account structure, to determine best practices for reporting and consolidation.

* Preparation of the Endowment Spending Budgets and activation of fully funded endowments in our ERP in partnership with Stewardship.

* Gifts/Pledges:
Oversee and maintain the accounting related to the University's gifts and pledges in accordance with GAAP. On a monthly basis, review and reconcile the Development Office's FASB reports, making required journal entries on a quarterly basis to reconcile to the…