Overview:

Gordon-Conwell is a multidenominational, protestant graduate school, unique with its broad array of over 1,300 students and 200 faculty and staff from 78 denominations and over 50 countries. We offer a residential model of education at South Hamilton, MA (our main campus); an urban context in Boston, MA; adult educational models in both our Charlotte, NC campus and our offerings in Jacksonville, FL; in addition to online and cohort models involving students from around the world.

Our mission is to prepare men and women for ministry at home and abroad. Rooted in the gospel and God’s Word, the seminary seeks to develop Christian leaders who are thoughtful, globally aware, spiritually mature, and ready for a broad array of ministries. While being historically orthodox and evangelical, we seek to address the issues of our times with both relevance to the culture and faithfulness to Christ and God’s truthful Word.

Position Summary:

Under the broad supervision of the Assistant Director of Accounting this position supports the Gordon-Conwell mission by ensuring all restricted funds are recorded, expended, and reported in a timely, accurate, and properly controlled manner that is in line with donor intent and/or grant restrictions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Restricted Funds/Restricted Net Assets: Ensure the seminary effectively and efficiently manages all restricted funds, including legal, accounting, and reporting requirements. Support other seminary offices with ad hoc restricted fund activity and balance requests. On a monthly basis, review recurring restricted funds for gift transfer items. On a quarterly basis, review all restricted net assets for potential gift transfers. During year-end close, analyze all restricted net asset balances for needed reclassification and correct categorizations. Prepare related journal entries for all the above items. Prepare year-end workpapers and financial statement footnotes on restricted net assets and interface with the auditors on any restricted asset-related testing. (25%)

• Expense Report and Invoice Approval for Restricted Funds: Review all substantial restricted fund related expense reports and invoices that are submitted through the Seminary’s automated accounts payable system (Concur). Ensure restricted funds are available, compliance with grant budget is maintained (if applicable), GCTS Expense Policy is followed, proper account coding, levels of approval, and supporting documentation are included. Communicate with grant managers, grant staff, and other employees when issues arise and provide final approval for payments when all requirements and issues are complete. (10%)

• Grant Management and Reporting: Build strong collaborative relationships with grant managers and grant staff. Actively work with grant managers/staff, including regular in person meetings, to discuss and track ongoing grant activity and upcoming projects/events. Regularly review grant expenditures for alignment with approved grant budgets and availability of restricted funds. Prepare regular internal reports that link GCTS accounting expense categories to approved grant budget categories. Prepare requested and/or required external grant financial reports. Coordinate review of internal and external grant reports by grant managers/staff, Controller, and CFO. (15%)

• Investments: On a monthly basis, prepare investment accounting journal entries and supporting workpapers. On a quarterly basis, prepare charitable remainder unit trusts investment accounting and liability estimates and related journal entries. During year-end close, prepare detailed accounting adjustments for charitable remainder unit trusts, outside trusts, and other investment-related transactions. Prepare all year-end workpapers and financial statement footnotes on investments and fair value disclosures. Interface with the auditors on any investment-related testing. (10%)

• Gift Revenue: On a regular basis, import all released gift revenue from the Development gift software (Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge) into the general ledger. On a monthly basis, reconcile all gift revenue detail between the general ledger and Development gift software. Prepare all year-end workpapers and financial statement footnotes on gift revenue and interface with the auditors on any gift revenue testing. (5%)

• Pledges Receivable: Track all pledges receivable, by ensuring proper documentation and accurate recording of the initial pledge and subsequent payments or adjustments. During year-end close, prepare final pledges receivable workpaper, including calculation of pledge discounting, and prepare related journal entries. Prepare all year-end workpapers and financial statement footnotes on pledges receivable and interface with the auditors on any pledges receivable testing. (5%)

• Reconciliations, General Ledger Entries, and Reporting: Assist in monthly reconciliation of external accounts as well as subsidiary ledgers to the general ledger, including researching and resolving any issues in either ledger. Research accounting, tax and/or other regulations to properly record seminary accounting transactions. Proficiently utilize the report writer in the accounting system and be able to create custom reports for internal and external customers. (25%)

• Other Duties: Document and provide feedback on existing procedures. Provide training to faculty/staff on accounting policies, processes, and financial reporting options. Provide occasional backup for Accounts Payable and other support of Accounting Services Team members. Other related duties as assigned. (5%)
  

Required Competencies:

• Accounting Skills: Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and internal controls. Be able to apply these principles and controls to Gordon-Conwell’s accounting needs.

• Project Management: Ability to manage team projects, especially with non-finance/accounting oriented staff.

• Financial Monitoring & Analysis: Strong ability to use applicable information technology and systems to monitor and analyze financial balances and trends. Strong proficiency in handling sophisticated analytical tasks.

• Finance/Investments Knowledge: Strong understanding of finance and investment concepts, including being able to handle advanced investment accounting entries.

• Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness: Must have strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to communicate in a manner that allows technical information to flow freely and smoothly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and serve in a team environment that requires collegiality and regular collaboration across multiple locations.

• Cultural intelligence: Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and ability to work with individuals or groups with diverse backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to adapt, collaborate, and serve in a team environment with collegiality and regular collaboration across matrixed, multi-campus environment.

• Organization and Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and complete them within deadlines. Take responsibility for accurate and timely reporting in the general ledger. Teachable attitude and willingness to take on added responsibility. Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp new concepts.

• Self-motivation: Work independently and guide oneself through complicated tasks. Look for ideas for improved processes. Take a team approach when working with Accounting Services Team members.
  

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent experience. An advanced degree or certification in accounting or finance is a plus.

• Minimum 3-5 years of increasing experience as a professional accountant. Preference for experience in non-profit accounting, especially related to restricted funds and/or grant management.

• Demonstrated analytical ability and strong proficiency in accounting information systems (experience with Blackbaud's Financial Edge desirable) and Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
  

Application Process

Please apply through Gordon-Conwell’s Career Center available here: https://www.gordonconwell.edu/employment/

Please include these documents in either Microsoft Word or PDF formats:

• A cover letter addressed to Jennifer LaFountain, Assistant Director of Accounting, explaining your interest in the position preferred.

• A formal CV that includes the names of at least three references required.

No hard copy materials, please. Opportunities to interview will be made available at the search committee’s initiative. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.