SENIOR FINANCE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

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The Kresge Foundation is one of the top 20 private philanthropic foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low income in American cities. With an endowment of approximately $4 billion and a staff of over 100 employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development. The foundation's state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit's Midtown district.

About the position

The Senior Finance Operations Specialist is responsible for managing key financial processes across the Kresge Foundation. This role works cross functionally with Foundation colleagues, suppliers, and the finance team in ensuring efficient internal controls and accurate financial transactions. This position is also responsible for identifying financial process improvements and opportunities to automate or outsource various processes.

Primary responsibilities

• Oversees the accounts payable and expense reporting process, working closely with the Accounting Manager and Deputy CFO & Controller.
• Performs back up duties related to processing accounts payable, expense reports, grants and program-related investment payments.
• Serves as the main contact for questions from the Finance Operations Specialist and other Foundation Staff questions as needed.
• Processes matching gifts and assists with participant questions. Develops and maintains relationship with the external vendor.
• Assists with the system administration of Concur Travel and Expense.
• Assists with the administration of staff credit card issuance, shut off and monitoring.
• Performs monthly grant reconciliation and quarterly conditional grant analysis.
• Performs monthly program-related investment transaction posting and reconciling. Develop and maintain relationship with the external vendor.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial statement reporting.
• Prepares quarterly reports for the Audit Committee.
• Prepares supporting schedules for the audit and tax return.
• Prepares and reviews general account analysis and reconciliations as requested.
• Supports Assistant Controller in preparing supporting documentation for the internal controls review that occurs every three years.
• Reviews and assists with filing of 1099's. Respond to inquiries and notices accordingly.
• Analyzes assigned accounting and tax issues as they arise.
• Provides technical expertise, reviewing and recommending procedures for compliance with accounting standards and tax regulations.
• Maintains several general ledger accounts and transactions of the organization, applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) that includes analytical work and thorough review and approval of financial transactions.
• Develops and maintains job role specific accounting policies and procedures.
• Gains and shares knowledge and expertise on key financial business processes.
• Works cross functionally to maintain appropriate internal financial controls.
• Proactively identify financial process improvements and opportunities to automate or outsource various processes.
• Drives, cultivates, and leads partnerships and collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to the Foundation's vision and values with the ability to demonstrate that commitment in daily interactions.
• Secures and maintains various record keeping documents.
• Assists with special projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance required. MBA degree in Accounting/Finance or CPA certification preferred.
• Minimum of three to five years of accounting experience required.
• Experience administering policies and processing payments for travel, expenses, and accounts payable, required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles.
• Advanced skill level with Excel.
• Working knowledge of PC-based accounting software and Microsoft Office Suites.
• Knowledge and experience working with accounting software, Great Plains preferred.
• Experience working with an expense, travel, and invoice system, such as Concur, preferred.
• Experience working with a contract management system, such as ContractPodAi, preferred.
• Experience working with outsourced business process firms such as Blackbaud Your Cause, Oakbranch or BNY Mellon, to troubleshoot issues as needed, preferred.
• Demonstrated progressive knowledge on key business financial processes.
• Excellent analytical, writing, verbal and social communication skills.
• Solid technical and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and planning skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and organize efficiently.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated success in engaging the cooperation and interaction of others.
• Demonstrated ability to display a consistently collaborative and cooperative work style while providing exceptional customer service.
• Passion for problem solving with ability to work within agreed upon guidelines and policies while also solving more nuanced issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to championing issues of equity and inclusion.

This position is full-time. The starting salary for this position begins at $100,650.00 per year. Individual offers will be based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation.

This position is located in Troy, Michigan and currently has a hybrid schedule. Tuesday and Wednesday are the standard in-office days, however, there may be times when you will have to adjust the days based on work needs.

This position requires occasional travel for foundation activities, events and professional development activities.

Some of the benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance
• Paid time off
• Half day Fridays
• 401k and 401k matching
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life, accident and disability insurance

Kresge is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The Kresge Foundation participates in E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States. For more information on E-Verify and to know your rights please click here .