Financial Accountant

As part of the part of the UGA Foundation’s Financial Accounting and Reporting team, this position is responsible for financial reporting on subsets of information to assist management with oversight of financial information. This position will work with all new fund set-ups and maintain appropriate system background parts so that monthly, quarterly, and annual system processes post to the general ledger as designed. This position handles the design and implementation of both campus and internal reporting for the Foundation accounting system. This position oversees the processing, posting, and reconciliations of the gift interface files into the Financial Accounting system. This position provides interim assurance and reconciliation reports to management. This position will also offer customer service to campus in understanding financial data. All job duties support the trust and treasury functions of the UGA Foundation.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 2 or more years of professional accounting experience – Preference to experience in higher education or Foundation 
• Experience creating, editing, and using Pivot Tables, and formulas in Excel 
• Experience in non-for-profit or Foundation accounting
• Experience with general ledger accounting and reconciliations 
• Experience with ERP Financial Systems
• Experience with using Data Analytic tools for financial reporting
• Exhibits behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the University of Georgia

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies: 

• Strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills
• Effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills
• Ability to work well within a team and individually
• Ability to follow directions and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated superior customer service skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Word
• High standard of professionalism and adherence with confidentiality
• Ability to adapt to new technology

Additional Division Expectations:

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Duties/Responsibilities

(30%) General Ledger Accounting 

• Report, reconcile, and record general ledger activity, including journal entry processing.
• Review posted transactions and reconcile general ledger accounts.
• Create various financial reports.
• Record activity for outside managed and deferred funds, including year-end audit and tax schedules. Coordinate with Gift & Estate Planning on Charitable Gift Annuity activity.
• Responsible for managing, processing, and responding to Financial Accounting requests within the UGAF ticket system.
• Reconcile, balance, and prepare sub-ledger and detail of asset reports.
• Follow-up and clear outstanding receivables, payables, and prepaids.

(30%)  Fund Administration

• Manage fund administration in the general ledger, coordinate with Foundation staff to ensure accuracy and completeness, create and maintain fund records daily, and complete reports regularly for review.
• Periodically analyze the fund population as a whole to identify exceptions and updates that are needed.
• Provide recommendations to the management regarding fund attributes to ensure they remain useful, relevant, and address reporting needs as a whole.
• Coordinate the connection of the UGAF financial system to the UGA financial management system by assigning and maintaining class codes.
• Use the UGA financial management system to request class codes.
• Periodically analyze the class code records and make sure they are still applicable.
•  Initiate changes and or deactivate class codes in UGA financial management system, as necessary.

(20%) Giving and Alumni Information Link (GAIL) to Foundation Accountant Management Enterprise (FAME) Gift Interface

• Manage gift transactions in the general ledger. Review and post gift records transmitted through the gift accounting system. 
• Reconcile and maintain stock sales and clearing items in the general ledger.
• Coordinate with Gift Accounting staff to troubleshoot as needed and ensure accuracy and completeness. This includes coordination of journal entries to fix issues within the interface gift files in a timely manner to coincide with other monthly reconciliations.

(20%) UGA Foundation Operations Support and Other 

• Provide support for Foundation operations, including recording financial transactions in the general ledger.
• Assist with ERP conversion and testing of financial processes.
• Respond to campus requests and assist campus users with financial accounting questions.
• Resolve accounting or reporting issues, and complete system testing as needed.
• Collaborate with Data Analytics and Foundation staff to improve financial reporting for external users.
• Support internal and external audit & tax functions.
• Serve as a backup to other financial accounting functions.
• Other duties as assigned related to UGAF operations and departmental workflow.

About the University of Georgia Foundation

The University of Georgia Foundation enriches the quality of education at the university by supporting scholarships, endowed chairs and professorships and other programs that rely on private funds.With more than $2 billion in assets, a large portion of which is endowed, the foundation provides an average of more than $100 million annually to UGA to advance its mission of teaching, research, and public service.The foundation was established in 1937. As a steward of donor funds, the Foundation has a strong record of fiscal and financial management. Its investment portfolio has consistently outperformed key benchmarks. Growth in the foundation’s assets has allowed for greater financial support of the university’s mission.

Mission of the University of Georgia Foundation

The mission and purpose of the University of Georgia Foundation is to provide support for the teaching, research, public service, and outreach programs of the University of Georgia by means of volunteer leadership and assistance in development and fundraising activities; fiduciary care for the assets of the foundation for the long-term benefit and enhancement of the university; and broad advice, consultation, and support to the president of the university. The foundation shall operate as a cooperative organization in accordance with policies of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

About the University of Georgia:

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

EEO Policy Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.