Senior Staff Accountant

The Aspen Institute; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 89,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

The Aspen Institute is seeking a Senior Staff Accountant to manage complex financial reconciliations, analyze balance sheet activity, oversee endowment transactions, and ensure accurate financial reporting for operational and investment accounts. You will supervise the Finance Associate to ensure daily functions are efficient and precise.

Reporting to the General Ledger Manager, this role requires a strong accounting background, nonprofit experience, and meticulous attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible nonprofit accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Minimum of 1 year direct supervisory experience.
• Experience with NetSuite preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced data analysis and reconciliation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and cross-team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Calculate and record Overhead, including NICRA Overhead allocations, Interest, and Regrant Fee.
• Track and post journal entries for Capital Leases (DC & NY).
• Review and validate balance sheet reconciliations for accuracy and policy compliance.
• Prepare and post monthly entries on operating results and balance sheet.
• Record fixed asset transactions, including acquisitions, depreciation, disposals, and lease accounting.
• Track and record Meadows FF&E transactions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support audits and ensure financial integrity.
• Supervise the Finance Associate, providing guidance and feedback.
• Reconcile complex balance sheet accounts (cash, receivables, investment pools, leases, liabilities).
• Reconcile monthly Flex, Dependent Care, and HSA activity.
• Reconcile Payroll and Payroll taxes to the general ledger.
• Maintain daily tracking of Cigna healthcare balances.
• Record Internal Conference Center Fees.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Microsoft Excel

Balance sheet analysis

Financial reporting

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Aspen Institute employees come from a wide range of backgrounds and possess a unique blend of education, skill, and policy experience. We recognize that our people are our vital resource and we value their knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment. At the Aspen Institute we offer competitive salaries and a wide variety of benefits to our employees and their families.

If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to become part of a stellar team of professionals, we invite you to apply online today.

ABOUT US

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

The mission of the Office of Financial Operations (OFO) is to deliver timely and accurate financial reporting, analysis, and guidance that allows the Institute to pursue its programmatic goals and provide financial confidence in the organization. The OFO principally assists the organization's various programs and departments and its Board of Trustees by planning, organizing, and directing financial activities in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws as well as the standards set forth by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). OFO promotes sound fiscal management through leadership, policy, and oversight.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Senior Staff Accountant will focus on managing complex financial reconciliations, analyzing balance sheet activity, overseeing endowment transactions, and ensuring the accuracy of financial reporting related to operational and investment accounts. The Senior Staff Accountant will also supervise the Finance Associate, ensuring daily finance functions are performed efficiently and accurately. The ideal candidate will bring a strong accounting background, exceptional attention to detail, and experience with nonprofit or fund accounting.

This position reports to the General Ledger Manager. This position has a salary of $89,100 - $113,900. In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Director should be willing to be in-person with colleagues a minimum of 40% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Calculate and record Overhead, including NICRA Overhead allocations, Interest, and Regrant Fee.
• Track and post journal entries for Capital Leases (DC & NY).
• Review and validate Meadows’ balance sheet reconciliations for accuracy, anomalies, and compliance with internal policies.
• Prepare and post monthly entries on Meadows Operating Results and Balance Sheet activities.
• Record fixed asset transactions, including acquisitions, depreciation, disposals, and lease accounting.
• Track and record Meadows FF&E transactions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support audits and ensure financial integrity.
• Supervise the Finance Associate, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Reconcile complex balance sheet accounts, including cash, receivables, investment pools, lease liabilities, and accrued benefit liabilities (e.g., Flexfund, TIAA-CREF, Roth Retirement).
• Reconcile and track all monthly Flex, Dependent Care, and HSA activity.
• Reconcile Payroll and Payroll taxes to the general ledger.
• Maintain daily tracking of Cigna healthcare balances.
• Record Internal Conference Center Fees.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
  5+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit accounting.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Minimum of 1 year of direct supervisory experience required.
• Experience with accounting systems (NetSuite preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions for data analysis and reconciliation.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

The Aspen Institute welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs, including the interview process. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please email [e-mail] or call 202-736-2127 in advance of your visit. Requests for ASL or CART services should be made at least two weeks in advance when possible. We will make every effort to fulfill requests, subject to availability