Palo Alto, CA or US Remote

Senior Accountant, Skoll Foundation

The Organization

The Skoll Foundation was created by Jeff Skoll in 1999 to pursue his vision of a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. The mission of the Skoll Foundation is to drive large-scale change by investing in, connecting and celebrating social entrepreneurs and the innovators who help them solve the world’s most pressing problems. By identifying the people and programs already enacting positive change throughout the world, the Foundation empowers them to extend their reach, deepen their impact that results in transformative social change in their communities and the world.

Position Overview

Position Description

The Senior Accountant will play a key role in the day-to-day financial operations of the Foundation. Key areas of responsibility include financial and cost analysis of core business operations, financial planning, treasury, audit, and tax support. The Senior Accountant is also responsible for managing all back-office operations for the program related investment (PRI) portfolio which includes developing and strengthening internal processes, operations, and infrastructure.

Primary duties and responsibilities: Finance & Accounting

  • Performs in-depth financial and cost analyses of core business operations and processes; analyzes and organizes financial data and models for decision support.
  • Performs all tasks associated with the general ledger; including but not limited to, entering monthly journal entries, executing monthly closing of general ledger, producing financial statements, bank reconciliations, and reconciling general ledger accounts.
  • Assists with annual operating budget and forecast processes, procedures, and reporting.
  • Prepares monthly financial and related management reporting including grant-related financial reconciliations; this includes monthly budget-to-actual reports and variance analysis.
  • Contributes to annual financial audit, including grant-related reporting, investment test work, and documentation of processes, procedures, systems, and controls.
  • Assists with the annual tax return and related filings.
  • Oversee Accounts Payables activities ensuring accuracy and timeliness, including Grants Payable.
  • Recommends and acts on process improvements; updates all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improves the finance department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
  • Analyzes information and prepares reports and projections on the Foundation’s investments, payout, and related tax planning.
  • Prepares cash flow forecasts for use in grant and operations payout.
  • Assists with the various annual filings including the Form 5500 and property tax filings.
  • Prepares external surveys and reporting.
  • Takes on special projects as identified.

 

Primary duties and responsibilities: Program Related Investments

  • Responsible for managing all back-office operations in support of the Foundation’s program related investments.
  • Develop and maintain effective operations, systems, and processes for all PRI activities in compliance with financial, accounting, and legal policies and practices.
  • Manage internal and external financial reporting, including investment portfolio analyses and projections (monthly, quarterly, annually and others as needed); financial reconciliations of cash fundings and repayments; produce and ensure integrity of metrics of financial performance, valuation, and investment returns; prepare required reporting for the audit and 990-PF.
  • Assist with the production and coordination required for internal and external communications regarding PRIs
  • Serves as the lead for integrating PRIs within the Foundation’s back-office information technology and software.
  • Prepares board reports and other documents for the team, as needed
  • Takes on special projects as identified.

 

Qualifications

This position works with multiple stakeholders, including other foundation staff and consultants. It is important this person has the right blend of hard and soft skills, analytical and people skills, and has a deep passion for the Skoll Foundation.

  • Bachelor’s Degree in finance, business, accounting, or related field preferred.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience with progressive responsibility in financial or accounting operations with demonstrated ability to analyze and compile complex data for planning and decision support.
  • Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); experience in private foundations/non-profits and investment analysis is a plus.
  • Strong systems orientation with a track record of implementing and enhancing tools and processes, developing innovative solutions, and staying well-informed of new and emerging options; experience with Salesforce and Intacct a plus.
  • Must be able to anticipate needs, challenges, and short- and long-term implications; analyze issues and problems systematically; and effectively communicate and implement solutions.
  • Strong project management and organization skills; experience effectively managing multiple projects across different internal and external constituents to drive results
  • Comfortable working in and thriving in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and able to adapt and lead teams through change.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with diverse stakeholders and explain complex concepts succinctly to drive clarity and action.
  • A keen sense of integrity, humility, professionalism, and commitment to creating a positive culture within the organization.
  • Highly adaptable to change and calm under pressure
  • Excellent written and oral communication and documentation skills; exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Protects sensitive and confidential information

Don’t meet every single requirement?  At Skoll, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Salary Description

The Skoll Foundation is committed to providing a competitive total rewards (compensation + benefits) package within the philanthropic sector.  The salary for this role is $110,000. Offers are based on the candidate’s years of experience and maintaining internal equity.

Your Health

The Foundation requires all staff, vendors, and visitors be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and test regularly when accessing the office.

How To Apply

Applicants
The Skoll Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Click the “Apply” button to submit your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter indicate your passion for the mission and your fit for the role. We will contact qualified applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the ADA and related state laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in how things are normally done, ensuring an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the company.  Please contact hr@skoll.org if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

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