Senior Accountant for Finance & Development

Mission: Student Sponsor Partners harnesses the
power of quality education and mentorship to help New York City
youth in underserved communities escape the cycle of poverty and
reach their highest potential. 

Vision: Creating opportunities for students
today. Impacting their tomorrow.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEGACY & CONTEXT

Founded by Peter Flanigan in 1986, Student Sponsor Partners
(SSP) has been providing private high school education for
low-income, average-achieving New York City youth to equip them
with the academic foundation and character development they need to
realize their untapped potential.

Thousands of students are supported by a sponsor and a mentor to
guide them through their high school years and beyond. SSP’s record
of success is evidenced by the fact that more than 85 percent of
its students graduate from high school, which is a substantially
higher rate than that historically achieved by the New York City
public high schools. Over 50 percent of SSP high school students
graduate from college. SSP currently supports approximately 1,200
students a year.

Based in the Wall Street District of New York City, SSP has a
current budget of approximately $10 million and has 22 budgeted
employees. SSP currently operates on a three-day or four-day hybrid
in-office virtual work schedule.

For further information about SSP, please visit https://sspnyc.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

SSP comprises the following three divisions: Philanthropy &
Resource Development; Programs; and General Administration, which
includes Finance, Human Resources, and IT. Reporting to the
Executive Director, the Senior Accountant for Finance &
Development role resides within the Finance Department. The Senior
Accountant will work closely and collaboratively with the Vice
President of Finance throughout the organization to provide
financial information by maintaining and reconciling accounts and
preparing reports.

The Senior Accountant will manage daily financial and accounting
tasks related to both Development and Finance. The main duties
include cash management, investment management, fixed asset
management, accounts receivable and collections, accounts payable,
account reconciliations, posting journal entries, and preparing
monthly close schedules in conjunction with monthly financials.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

It is expected that the Senior Accountant will:

TEAM WORK

• Establish a strong working partnership with the Vice President
  of Finance built on trust, hard work, and a shared passion and
  commitment.
• Develop strong positive relationships with colleagues,
  managers, students, mentors, donors, and external stakeholders in
  accordance with the spirit of SSP.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & ANALYSIS

• Oversee cash management. Coordinate with Development on cash
  collections and documents.
• Perform general cost accounting duties relating to Finance
  and
• Maintain general ledger accounts and monitor and perform
  monthly reconciliations on all bank
• Update financial records via accounting
• Update financial platform with payroll expenses and other
  related benefit expenses.
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts
• Prepare and assist with distribution of monthly financials to
  management, including endowment reports, Board materials, and
  special projects.
• Secure financial information by coordinating with IT support to
  ensure database backups and confidentiality.
• Maintain accounting controls by following and keeping manual
  policies and procedures updated, complying with federal, state, and
  local financial legal requirements.
• Stay current on nonprofit industry knowledge – FASB/GAAP, best
  practices, and industry standards – and incorporate in the
  accounting processes.
• Maintain financial tracking systems for operations.

BUDGETING

• Prepare annual budget. Monitor and perform quarterly variance
  analysis between budget and actual.
• Assist with program and operations budgets in cooperation with
  the team. Provide confidence on the integrity of the budget.
• Develop annual program and operations budgets in cooperation
  with the team.
• Support all financial aspects of Development Department
  proposals and reports for grant and foundation applications. Assist
  management with gaining access to New York City, federal, and New
  York State grant portals as the Development Department
  evolves.

TREASURY

• Help manage banking relationships and provide support for SSP
  investments.
• Work closely with the Vice President of Finance to manage the
  Investment and Endowment Accounts.
• Help oversee cash management/banking activity for the
  organization.
• Oversee Accounts Receivable and Collections. Coordinate with
  Development to ensure timely collection and bad debt analysis.
• Oversee Accounts Payable Management and analysis ensuring
  timely payment of invoices and confirming validity of debt. Help
  manage vendors.

AUDIT & COMPLIANCE

• Coordinate annual audit preparation with auditors and Vice
  President of Finance to ensure annual federal and state tax
  compliance filings and stay current on state registrations and
  respective requirements.
• Work with outside auditors to ensure the organization is
  current on all accounting procedures. Ensure compliance and
  anticipate implications of any accounting rule changes.
• Coordinate annual audit preparation.
• Maintain and monitor financial controls and reporting
  systems.
• Support proposal and reporting requirements of the Development
  Department.
• Provide guidance on efficiencies and change management to drive
  financial form and direction for fundraising arm and programs

IDEAL EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, &
CHARACTERISTICS

The Senior Accountant will be an inspired and energetic
professional familiar with nonprofit accounting, finance, and
development. Specifically, the ideal candidate will be or
possess:

• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting, finance, and development.
  Recognized strength with financial controls.
• A hard-working, scrappy, professional ready to roll up their
  sleeves, learn, and contribute with energy and passion.
• Dedication to making an organization committed to student
  achievement and excellence run as efficiently as possible.
  Commitment to educational equity and access.
• Able to communicate financial information fluently to those
  with different levels of understanding of finance.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Impeccable attention to detail, deadlines, and
  follow-through.
• A consummate team player with a proven track record of success
  and enjoyment working collaboratively with others.
• Outgoing and straightforward, with skill to share information,
  listen, learn, and give advice.
• An optimist with a proactive and positive can-do attitude
• Experience with information systems and technology.
• Highest level of integrity and trustworthiness.
• BBA in Accounting with five years of nonprofit accounting
  experience.
• Experience with Bill.com and Blackbaud Financial Edge a
  plus.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is estimated at $125,000 to
$140,000. SSP offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits
package.

SSP seeks a diverse pool of
candidates and will offer a competitive salary. Applications,
including cover letters and résumés, and nominations should be sent
to the attention of Paul Spivey at [email protected].