Senior Accountant

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

403B retirement plan

Paid time off

Federal holidays

Major Jewish holidays

Job summary

The Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago seeks a Senior Accountant to join our nonprofit finance team. This hybrid role supports month-end close, grant reporting, and the accounting for Venue SIX10, with in-office Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and remote Wednesdays and Fridays.

You will prepare journal entries, perform reconciliations, analyze grants, and assist audits, while ensuring GAAP compliance and strong internal controls.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in accounting or finance, with month-end close involvement.
• GAAP knowledge and strong account reconciliation skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Excel for reconciliations and supporting documents.
• Interest in learning multiple software packages; QuickBooks Online is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare journal entries and reconciliations for cash, investments, fixed assets, accruals, and major accounts.
• Perform monthly and year-end close activities with entries, analysis, and documentation.
• Analyze new grant agreements for proper accounting treatment and reporting.
• Prepare activity analyses for monthly departmental reporting.
• Maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation.
• Assist in payroll reconciliations twice monthly.
• Ensure transactions comply with nonprofit accounting standards and internal controls.
• Create and maintain spreadsheets, reports, and dept records.
• Prepare schedules for audits, grants, and tax filings; assist auditors.

Skills

GAAP accounting

Excel proficiency

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Job description

The Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership is the leading center for Jewish learning and leadership, empowering individuals and communities through rigorous scholarship, applied Jewish learning, and innovative leadership development. Attuned to the evolving world, we cultivate informed and resilient leaders across North America and around the globe through innovative and outstanding degree, certificate, and professional training programs. We engage all who are eager to learn, no matter their religious or cultural background. At Spertus Institute, our work sits at the intersection of higher education and community. We offer learning that sparks insight, engagement, and impact.

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant serves as part of the organization’s accounting operations, which involves documenting business transactions, participating in the month-end close process, and supporting the audit and grant reporting processes. The position also supports accounting for Venue SIX10, which handles space rentals of the Institute’s meeting and educational spaces. Reporting to the Director of Finance & Controller, this position is an excellent opportunity to work in a collaborative, team-focused environment that values personal growth, partnership, and having a positive impact on both local and global communities. The position is a hybrid role, working Mondays, Tuesday, and Thursdays in our award-winning office next to Grant Park and the flexibility to work remotely Wednesday and Fridays.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations

• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations related to cash, investments, fixed assets, accruals, and other major accounts based upon generally accepted accounting standards
• Perform month-end and year-end close activities, including journal entries, account analysis, reconciliations, schedules, and documentation
• Analyze new grant agreements for proper accounting treatment
• Prepare activity analysis around revenue and expenses to support monthly reporting to departments
• Maintain fixed asset and depreciation schedules
• Assist in semimonthly payroll reconciliations
• Ensure all transactions are recorded in compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, internal controls, and organizational policies
• Create and maintain spreadsheets, reports, and other department records

Audit and Grant Reporting

• Prepare schedules and gather supporting documentation for annual financial audits, grant and third-party audits, and tax filings; respond to auditor requests as assigned.
• Assist in financial tracking and reporting for grants and restricted gifts
• Assist departments across the organization with financial reporting requests

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of related experience in accounting or finance role participating in month/year-end closing procedures. Nonprofit experience is a plus but not required
• Knowledge of GAAP accounting and proficiency in the account reconciliation process
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills and positive attitude
• Proficiency with using Excel to prepare reconciliations and other supporting documents
• Interest in learning multiple software packages; QuickBooks Online experience is a plus
• Pay range: $75,000 - $85,000
• Available medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• 403B Retirement Fund and matching contributions
• Paid time off, including some Federal holidays and major Jewish holidays