Senior Investment Accountant

Title: Senior Investment Accountant

Location: Hillsborough, NJ, or New York, NY

Reports to: Controller

Status: Full time, exempt (minimum of three days a week in person)

How to apply: Click here to apply. Please submit a résumé. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. DDF operates five national grantmaking programs as well as Duke Farms and Shangri La, two centers that serve the public directly. DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.dorisduke.org.

POSITION

As a member of the Finance team, the Senior Investment Accountant serves as the primary general ledger representative supporting the Investments team and plays an integral role in enhancing processes and strengthening internal controls across the foundation. By ensuring accurate reporting and reconciliation of the foundation’s large and complex investment portfolio, the Senior Accountant is vital to advancing the foundation’s operational excellence as well as its capital function.

The Senior Accountant collaborates closely with the Investments team, custodian and auditors to drive efficiency, ensure accuracy and maintain compliance with financial standards and support informed decision-making that aligns with the foundation’s overarching objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Investment Portfolio Accounting and Reconciliation: Ensure accurate and timely reporting of investment portfolio activities in compliance with GAAP and organizational policies.

• Reconcile monthly transaction files from the investment custodian to the general ledger, preparing and posting journal entries as necessary.
• Accurately account for alternative investments and consult with tax partners as needed for confirmation.
• Set up and maintain new investment manager accounts in the accounting system, ensuring proper documentation and controls.

Collaboration with Investments Team and Custodian: Serve as the primary liaison between the General Ledger team, Investments team and the custodian to address discrepancies and optimize processes.

• Support the implementation of efficient workflows for investment-related accounting operations.

Audit and Financial Reporting: Prepare year-end and annual audit schedules and reports, including investment-related disclosures for audited financial statements.

• Draft and review footnotes for investment activities, including fair value measurements, alternative investments and liquidity risks.
• Reconcile and validate financial data to ensure accuracy and compliance with audit requirements.
• Respond to auditor inquiries and provide thorough documentation to support audit processes.

Tax Compliance and Internal Controls: Prepare investment-related tax return schedules and supporting documentation.

• Review K-1s and fund manager financial statements to ensure proper tax treatment and compliance.
• Establish and maintain robust internal controls over investment accounting processes, including approval workflows and system safeguards.
• Conduct periodic reviews of processes to identify risks and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with other members of the Finance team to ensure alignment with the foundation’s overall control framework.

Process Improvements and Efficiencies: Identify, design and implement process improvements to streamline investment accounting workflows and enhance accuracy.

• Automate manual tasks where feasible, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
• Standardize and document procedures to ensure consistency and scalability of investment-related processes.

Support for Liquidity and Strategic Initiatives: Provide insights and support for cash flow forecasting, investment performance analysis and strategic financial planning.

• Collaborate with the General Ledger and Investments teams to enhance transparency and facilitate data-driven decision-making.
• Lead the liquidity analysis and serve as the primary contact for providers of lines of credit to the foundation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field; CPA certification strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated accounting experience, with an emphasis on investment accounting, nonprofit finance or a related field.
• Strong familiarity with investment vehicles such as K-1s, alternative investments and fund managers, along with related accounting practices.
• Advanced proficiency in accounting systems, general ledger management and Microsoft Excel.
• In-depth knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit financial reporting standards and audit preparation.
• Proficiency in accounting for alternative investments, including hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, stocks, bonds and index futures.
• Demonstrated success in implementing process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in reconciling and analyzing complex financial data.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, focused on continuous improvement.
• High degree of integrity, accountability and commitment to confidentiality.
• Team-oriented, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Anticipated salary range is $112,000-$140,000, and the final offer will depend on experience.
• Industry-leading benefits, including a 15% employer contribution to 401(k), health insurance, four weeks paid vacation with additional time off and matching gift benefits of up to $20,000 per year, all to support employees’ well-being, productivity and engagement.

OUR VALUES

The following values underpin everything we do in pursuit of our mission across the Doris Duke philanthropies:

Integrity: We must be honest and ethical in all that we undertake. As a private foundation, we are accountable to the many stakeholders affected by our work.

Excellence: We will insist on the highest standards of performance in fulfilling our mission, will ground our work in best practices and will make decisions based on the best available information.

Openness and Imagination: We will be a listening and learning organization that is responsive to ideas and opinions from a variety of sources. We value imagination and creativity, the ability to think in new ways about the work we do and how we do it.

Collaboration: We value a collaborative and supportive environment in which to advance our mission and objectives. Creating a working environment that promotes trust, honesty and respect within our organizations is as important as earning the trust and respect of our colleagues and peers in the fields in which we work.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We believe in the essential value that a diverse set of perspectives, experiences and abilities brings to the table. Our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is an ongoing, active engagement reflected in our funding areas, grantees, museums, centers, board and staff. At the core of our work is a dedication to serving and learning from organizations and individuals addressing inequities and working toward a more just, healthy and inclusive society. (Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and how we incorporate this value into our work.)

The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply. Our recruiting and employment practices adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us here.