Senior Staff Accountant

The Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning and Dialogue offers a rich working environment with a mission to build cultures of peace through learning and dialogue. All of our work is aimed at helping to establish a shared global ethic across cultures and religions—an ethic based on respect for the dignity of life itself. Center programs include the development of multi-author books; a Fellows program to advance research on a humanistic form of learning called value-creating education; an annual forum for Intercultural Dialogue; and “Dialogue Nights” for college students and young professionals. These programs are inspired by founder Daisaku Ikeda's belief that open-hearted, open-minded dialogue presents humankind with the surest path to peace.

The Senior Staff Accountant for the Ikeda Center will work under the guidance of the Accounting Manager to ensure that the organization has the proper accounting, operational controls, and administrative and reporting procedures in place to effectively grow the organization and ensure its financial strength and operating efficiency.

Accounting and Finance:

• Execute day-to-day financial activities, including payables and receivables, general ledger maintenance, monthly reconciliations, month end closing and preparation of financial statements
• Collaborate with the Executive Director (ED), Accounting Manager, and program staff to implement the annual budget process
• Provide financial reports and financial activity detail, on a regular basis, to program managers, Executive Director, Treasurer and the Board, showing actual expenditures to date, variances and updated forecasts;
• Provide customized financial reports and analyses to inform decision-making
• Work with auditor and Accounting Manager to prepare all necessary schedules to complete year-end audit, Form 990, and other required filings
• Collaborate with the Accounting Manager to continually monitor and analyze financial performance, expenditure and cash flow, and keep the Board, Treasurer, and staff informed of financial progress through regular meetings and effective reporting
• Work with Accounting Manager to enhance, implement, and maintain sound financial management policies and systems that ensure a strong, healthy organization
• Maintain accounting, tax, and payroll records consistent with Document Retention policy
• Complete all regulatory, tax, and compliance filings with all levels of government to maintain tax exempt, private foundation, and corporate statuses
• Stay current with all federal regulations, Uniform Guidance, procedures to guard against fraud and waste, and implement policies and procedures accordingly; and
• Work with Publication and Admin Staff to record book sales, inventory, and cost of good entries

Human Resources, Operations and Administration:

• Eventually assume responsibility for 403(b) plan administration (all aspects) - including reporting, vendor management, plan modification management
• Support Sr. Administrative Manager with:
  • Government filings related to employee insurance benefits (HIRD, Form 720, other as needed)
  • Update benefits insurance vendors for salary changes
• Coordinate preparation of board Written Consents and board resolutions packages for meetings
• Liaise between Board, executive team and staff, fostering communication between all parties
• Assist with programmatic activities and participate in special projects, work groups, and committees as required.
• Maintain insurance and risk management (property liability and directors and officers insurance), including reviewing coverage periodically and at annual renewal time, analyzing coverage limits, deductibles, cost, recommending additional or alternative coverage, preparing applications, reviewing final policies, obtaining certificates, handling insurance issues and claims
• Maintain and manage relationships with outside consultants and vendors
• Maintain inventory for facilities, equipment, and fixed assets
• Keep accounting procedures and manuals up-to-date, keep accounting and compliance filing calendars, keep organizational and corporate files.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree (required) in business administration, accounting, or related field. CPA is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of QuickBooks Online a plus. Basic knowledge of QuickBooks Online required. Basic knowledge of Sage 3.0 is a plus for legacy financial data.
• Demonstrated experience with non-profit accounting desirable, foundation experience helpful (minimum 3 years accounting work experience).
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite with advance Excel skill-set with ability to perform budgeting and analysis and use of pivot tables.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to multi-task, take initiative, and balance attention to detail with big picture thinking; outstanding organizational skills.
• Willingness to learn to develop, implement, and manage business systems and processes, including expertise in financial analysis and budget development.
• Successful track-record in setting priorities, keen analytical, critical thinking, organizational and problem-solving skills enabling sound decision-making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills with an ability to negotiate, collaborate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to effectively collaborate with the entire staff.
• Commitment to the Ikeda Center’s core ideas and mission.

Other:

Salary: competitive and commensurate with professional experience.

Location: Ikeda Center office in Harvard Square (no remote or hybrid option for this position)

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

The Ikeda Center is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.