Director – Investment Accounting and Accounting Operations

About the Organization:

UJA-Federation of New York is the largest local philanthropy in the world. For more than 100 years, we’ve brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Thanks to our network of hundreds of non-profits, we can leverage our expertise across any number of areas — including health and human services, arts and culture, and education — to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Our reach extends from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year.

The Director of Investment Accounting and Accounting Operations will be responsible for overseeing all accounting functions for the New York Jewish Institutions Investment Fund and the UJA Retirement Plan.

Principal Responsibilities:

The Director of Investment Accounting and Accounting Operations will be responsible

for overseeing all accounting functions for the New York Jewish Institutions Investment Fund and the UJA Retirement Plan. Additionally, this role will manage accounting operations functions, including preparation of policies and procedures for the accounting department, liaising with internal audit, simplifying and automating processes, and handling special projects. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of investment accounting, the ability to develop and implement daily accounting processes, and strong problem solving and communications skills. This role will also be accountable to the Chief Investment Officer and work collaboratively with the Investment Office in establishing best practices.

Specific duties include:

New York Jewish Institutions Investment Fund (JIIF):

• Responsible for JIIF accounting, reporting, and financial statement preparation.
  • Support and liaise with the Investment Office on daily management of investment cash flows, reconcile to the performance book of record, execute all investment transactions in a timely fashion.
  • Review the accounting and investment related activity prepared by the custodian; serve as the point of contact for the custodian and work to maintain and improve all accounting processes with the custodian.
  • Manage the custodian’s preparation of investor statements; this includes the calculation of allocation data for all investors.
  • Coordinate and manage the annual audit including preparation of financial statements and related disclosures, communicate with and prepare support for external auditors.
  • Review quarterly management fees and other payments.
  • Support Director of Tax with federal and states partnership return filings.
  • Oversee investor relations functions with the Investment Office, maintaining investor records, providing support and answering questions, and conducting all KYC requirements for investors.

UJA-Federation Retirement Plan (RET):

• Responsible for the accounting, reporting, and financial statement preparation for the UJA-Federation Retirement Plan
  • Coordinate and manage the annual audit of the RET including preparation of financial statements and related disclosures, communicate with and provide support for external auditors.
  • Ensure timely filing of IRS Form 5500 with related schedules C, H and R.
  • Review the accounting and investment related activity prepared by the custodian.

Accounting Operations:

• Review departmental roles and responsibilities and business policies and recommend improvements, particularly in the context of a new Oracle NetSuite accounting system.
• Prepare and maintain accounting department policies and procedures.
• Implement, organize, and maintain electronic repository of the files in the department.
• Work with the custodian on operational items (general inquiries, account opening/closures, tax forms, and ad hoc issues).
• Project manage and liaison with external “internal” auditors and UJA staff on audits, reporting, observations, and management responses/implementation of recommendations.

Conduct special projects for senior management as required

Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in business accounting and finance; CPA license, a plus.
• Minimum 10 years of investment accounting experience, including public accounting and not-for-profit industry experience, a plus.
• Specialized knowledge in investment and pension plan technical pronouncements, particularly as they relate to the not-for-profit industry, a plus.
• Knowledge of partnership tax structure, a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Excel/Word/PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of data analysis and visualization software, a plus.

Salary Range: $150,000-$160,000 commensurate with experience