Accounting Manager

About the role

The Accounting Manager of the Montana State University Alumni Foundation ("Alumni Foundation") oversees the operational execution of the general ledger, the end-to-end monthly close cycle, and complex tax/audit work papers. This role serves as the critical bridge linking high-volume transactional subledgers with advanced GAAP financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Close Cycle Orchestration & Subledger Validation
• Spearhead and manage the end-to-end monthly and annual accounting close processes for all Alumni Foundation entities and subsidiaries, maintaining strict accountability for an on-time close.
• Cook up and monitor day-to-day workflow tracking and team deliverables using advanced project management platforms (e.g., Monday.com).
• Audit, approve, and post all general ledger journal entries and statement of financial position reconciliations prepared by the Associate Director of Accounting and Accounting Specialist throughout the close cycle.
• Govern month-end platform cut-offs, ensuring seamless data synchronization between front-end spend management networks and the core accounting database (Blackbaud Financial Edge).
• Oversight and management of payables and receivables, including vendor and bill approvals, invoicing, credit card and employee reimbursement processes and team.
• Formulate and push automated system notifications and execute assertive follow-ups with delinquent cardholders and approving managers to secure timely reconciliations.
• Financial Analysis & Cross-Departmental Partnership
• Extract and evaluate detailed budget-to-actual variance reports immediately following the soft close to identify and flag critical discrepancies.
• Schedule, lead, and facilitate strategic monthly budget alignment sessions with department heads.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for internal management and staff, independently resolving complex accounting questions, interpreting internal policies, and delivering clear explanations to non-accountants.
• Advanced Reconciliations & Payroll Governance
• Formulate and post bi-weekly payroll journal entries and model intricate monthly payroll accruals based on human resource statistics.
• Direct and review ongoing clean-up initiatives for historical and inactive general ledger accounts to eliminate outstanding legacy balances.
• Reconcile and analyze high-risk payroll liability accounts, including paid time off, retirement fund withholdings, and employee benefit tracking.
• Audit and approve long-term and short-term pool investment schedules, running verification trials against historical balances before final internal reporting.
• Execute and govern the annual Spending Distribution (SPD) process.
• Audit Defense, Tax Compliance & Fund Stewardship
• Construct complex, advanced annual audit and tax work papers in Excel, systematically pulling testing samples and assembling documentation packets for external auditors and tax preparers.
• Investigate and research non-standard, unique, or complex gifts to ensure exact GAAP fund accounting treatment and compliance with strict donor restrictions.
• Execute and govern the annual Spending Distribution (SPD) process.
• Team Management & Collaboration
• Supervise and develop Accounting staff, including conducting performance evaluations, delivering feedback and coaching, and supporting professional development.
• Cook up and coordinate work across Accounting and Accounts Payable positions and systems to ensure collaboration and communication between teams.
• Ensure ongoing staff training and cross-training, including onboarding of new team members.
• Support the Controller and Chief Operations & Finance Officer in staffing planning and hiring for new positions.
• Affect and maintain a professional, proactive, positive, highly collaborative, and performance-centric work environment.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply Generally Acceptable Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) standards specifically tailored to nonprofit fund accounting.
• Proven capability to design, implement, and monitor robust internal control workflows to safeguard corporate assets.
• Advanced capability to independently analyze complex data sets, interpret ambiguous IRS non-profit regulations, and trace/rectify deep subledger errors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication style with a proven knack for conveying highly technical accounting logic in a concise, digestible manner to university stakeholders.
• Prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and work both independently and as an effective team member.
• Proven track record of ethical and strategic leadership, collaborative problem solving, and positive personnel management and supervision.
• High standard of professional ethics.

Benefits

The MSU Alumni Foundation offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance (all of which are 90-100% employer-paid for employee-only coverage), 403(b) retirement plan with 7% employer contribution after 1-yr anniversary, up to 5 weeks’ paid time-off, 11 paid holidays, tuition assistance and more.

Application and recruitment

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, a resume, and three professional references online. Recruitment will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.