Senior Accountant

Company: Sunflower Foundation
Job Title: Senior Accountant 
Job Classification: Exempt; Full-Time
Work Schedule: As agreed and approved upon between employee and supervisor in accordance to normal operating hours of 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday.
Reporting Relationship: Chief Financial Officer
Supervises: None
Location: Topeka, KS

Primary Accountabilities:

The Senior Accountant plays a vital role in supporting the Foundation's financial integrity, operational excellence, and charitable mission through accurate accounting, sound internal controls, timely financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. This position performs advanced accounting functions, including fund accounting, endowment accounting, financial reporting, payroll support, grant accounting, and compliance monitoring. The Senior Accountant exercises independent judgment while working collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), program staff, and external partners to ensure the Foundation's financial resources are managed responsibly and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), organizational policies, and applicable laws and regulations.

As a key member of the Finance team, the Senior Accountant also supports the Foundation's grantmaking activities by providing financial oversight throughout the grant lifecycle. Responsibilities include assisting with financial due diligence of grant applicants, monitoring grant payments and reporting, supporting grant accounting activities, and collaborating with program staff to ensure financial compliance.

As the Foundation expands its administration of federally funded grants, knowledge of federal grant requirements, allowable costs, internal controls, procurement standards, subrecipient monitoring, financial reporting, and audit readiness is highly desirable.

The Senior Accountant assists the CFO and contributes to continuous improvement of financial systems and processes. This position works closely with Foundation leadership, staff, grant recipients, donors, auditors, and other external stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Senior Accountant performs advanced accounting functions while maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring compliance with GAAP and Foundation policies.

General Accounting & Fund Activity

• Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable activities, including vendor setup, W-9 collection, Certificate of Insurance documentation, invoice processing, payment administration, and customer billing.
• Assist with preparation and filing of Forms 1099 in accordance with IRS regulations.
• Prepare and reconcile general ledger accounts, bank accounts, grant payable accounts, investment activity, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare journal entries and assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Maintain accurate fund accounting records, including restricted, unrestricted, and endowment funds.
• Assist with budget preparation, financial forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Compile monthly and annual investment manager reports and summarize Schedule K-1 information.
• Assist the CFO in preparing materials for Finance Committee and Board meetings, including agendas, financial reports, meeting materials, minutes, and supporting documentation.
• Participate in month-end and year-end closing procedures.

Internal Controls, Compliance, & Audit Support

• Support the Foundation's system of internal controls designed to safeguard assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Monitor compliance with organizational financial policies and accounting procedures.
• Work collaboratively with staff responsible for cash collections and ensure adherence to established cash handling and deposit procedures.
• Serve as a primary accounting contact for internal and external auditors.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and year-end adjusting entries.
• Assist with preparation of the annual IRS Form 990 and other required regulatory filings.
• Assist with maintaining documentation necessary for financial statement audits and, when applicable, Single Audits.

Grants and Financial Management

• Work with staff to complete due diligence on applications and draft grant agreements and amendments, including Letters of Agreement, Award, and Payment Letters.
• Oversee grantee acceptance, including accurate recordkeeping of required executed documents.
• Consult with CFO and/or Program Officers as necessary about special conditions.
• Develop payment and reporting schedules within foundation policies and the needs of the grantee.
• Work with CFO on monthly grant payment schedules.
• Work closely with Program Officers and/or CFO on any significant changes in budget, timing of payment(s), goals, timeline, outcomes, reporting dates, etc.
• Evaluate financial reports – review budget and financial grant reports, determine level of compliance with grant conditions, report any areas of concern to CFO.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide financial information and analysis for donor reports, grant reports, and management reports.
• Assist with implementation and improvement of financial systems, accounting processes, and internal controls.
• Support financial system administration, including QuickBooks, Fluxx Grant Management System, and other financial applications.
• Provide guidance, training, and technical assistance to accounting and administrative staff, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks and Microsoft Office, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, ethics, and integrity.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to read and talk on the phone..
• Must be able to speak and listen effectively.
• Ability to work on the computer for hours at a time and concentrate on detailed information.
• Vision abilities for peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend, kneel and reach items with use of hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Unpack, lift, and move items up to thirty (30) pounds.

Work Environment:

• Professional and deadline-oriented environment in an office setting.
• Interaction with all foundation partners, staff, and stakeholders.

Additional Duties:

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee(s) holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.