Accounting Manager

MSU Alumni Foundation • Bozeman, MT

39d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Accounting Manager of the Montana State University Alumni Foundation (“Alumni Foundation”) proactively orchestrates, audits, and validates the operational execution of the general ledger, the end-to-end monthly close cycle, and complex tax/audit work papers. Reporting directly to the Controller, this pivotal leadership position serves as the critical bridge linking high-volume transactional subledgers with advanced GAAP financial analysis. The Accounting Manager champions internal control compliance, engineers workflow efficiencies, establishes rigorous performance trackers, and conducts cross-departmental financial reviews to drive institutional transparency. The Accounting Manager supervises the Associate Director of Accounting and the Accounts Payable Specialist(s).

Requirements

• 3-5 years of complex non-profit accounting experience and people management experience, preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply Generally Accepted 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.
• Ability to 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.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Coordinate and monitor day-to-day workflow tracking and team deliverables utilizing 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Audit and approve long-term and short-term pool investment schedules, running verification trials against historical balances before final internal reporting.
• 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
• Proactively identify operational bottlenecks, architect internal control enhancements, and design automated task efficiencies across financial software ecosystems.
• Supervise and develop Accounting staff, including conducting performance evaluations, delivering feedback and coaching, and supporting professional development.
• 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.
• Fulfill other responsibilities and duties as needed.
• Duties and responsibilities may change at any time.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager