Sarofim Foundation | Accounting Manager

Denise Smith Consulting • Houston, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sarofim Foundation seeks an Accounting Manager to serve as its day-to-day accounting subject-matter lead. Reporting to the Managing Director of Finance and based in Houston, Texas, the Accounting Manager is responsible for the integrity of the Foundation’s general ledger and financial reporting, investment accounting, operating budget and forecast, annual audit, accounting systems, tax support, and grants payment process.

The Foundation operates with a small internal team and shared-service and external partners. The Accounting Manager retains internal ownership of accounting quality, controls, and deliverables while coordinating work performed by internal staff and service providers. The role calls for deep nonprofit accounting expertise, strong technical judgment, accuracy, and follow-through, as well as the ability to move between detailed accounting work and broader financial analysis. The successful candidate will independently investigate complex questions and serve as a trusted accounting resource to the Managing Director of Finance and Foundation team. A start-up mentality, technology-forward approach to process improvement, growth mindset, and commitment to the Foundation’s mission are also important.

The position is full-time and in-person in Houston, Texas. The Foundation offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive insurance plan, professional development opportunities, an annual retirement benefit, and paid time off.

Requirements

• At least five years of progressive experience in accounting, audit, financial reporting, or a related field.
• Significant responsibility for the general ledger, financial close, financial statements, and audit.
• Strong command of accounting principles and ability to independently evaluate accounting treatments, identify errors or gaps, review others’ work, and serve as a day-to-day accounting subject-matter resource.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit financial reporting, net asset classifications, grants, contributions, investments, fair value, and related accounting and tax considerations.
• Experience accounting for and reconciling complex investment activity, including alternative investments, and investigating discrepancies across custodial, manager, and general-ledger records.
• Demonstrated ability to lead an audit, document policies and procedures, evaluate control design, and implement practical improvements.
• Ability to synthesize detailed financial information, identify root causes, investigate unfamiliar issues, and communicate clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong experience with accounting, reporting, budgeting, payment, and data tools; comfort improving workflows and integrations.
• Impeccable ethics, judgment, and discretion with confidential information.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Customer-oriented, empathetic team player who strives to deliver excellent service to internal and external customers.
• Willingness to take on varied tasks in service of the Foundation’s mission.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, auditors, advisors, and service providers and communicate technical accounting matters clearly to nonaccounting audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, humility, optimism, and a sense of humor; willingness to handle tasks of any size in service of the Foundation’s mission.
• Comfort working in a formal, full-time, in-person office environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

• Direct nonprofit or private foundation accounting experience.
• Private foundation experience.
• Experience with Sage Intacct, BILL, Salesforce, or comparable systems.
• CPA.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage month-end and year-end close; review journal entries, reconciliations, supporting schedules, and financial statements; and ensure accounting records are accurate, complete, and timely.
• Research and resolve complex accounting matters, document conclusions, and ensure accounting treatments are consistently and appropriately applied across periods.
• Manage the annual audit in partnership with the Managing Director of Finance, from planning through completion, including preparation and coordination of requested schedules, financial statements, disclosures, and responses.
• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal control documentation, and implement improvements as needed.
• Direct and review work performed by internal staff, shared-service teams, and third-party accounting and accounts-payable providers, maintaining accountability for quality, timeliness, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate with the OCIO, custodian, investment managers, and accounting partners to record and reconcile investment activity, valuations, income, fees, capital calls, distributions, and realized and unrealized gains and losses.
• Work with the Managing Director of Finance and Foundation team to develop the annual operating budget, maintain the operating forecast, monitor actual results, investigate variances, and communicate financial implications.
• Prepare analyses as needed related to the investment portfolio, operating scenarios, liquidity, taxes, and other finance matters.
• Partner with Programs, the Grants Officer, and Operations to ensure approved grant payments are timely and accurate; verify grantee accounts, initiate and review payments, and confirm completion.
• Reconcile grants-management, accounting, and banking records; maintain grants payable and payment schedules; and provide information for cash forecasting, financial reporting, and payout monitoring.
• Administer accounting, payment, reporting, and budgeting tools, using technology and automation to reduce manual work, strengthen controls, and improve visibility.
• Assemble and review information for the Foundation’s Form 990-PF, manage tax-recovery service providers, and conduct initial research into tax issues and planning opportunities for review by the Managing Director of Finance and external advisors.
• Assist the Managing Director of Finance with banking, credit, tax, risk, insurance, investment operations, vendor management, and special projects as requested.
• Maintain clear documentation and help build resilient, scalable finance processes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive insurance plan, including health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, and voluntary coverage options.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Annual retirement benefit.
• Paid time off.

What This Job Offers

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