Accounting Associate

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Accounting Associate will perform a variety of accounting functions that relate to the receipt
of gifts, disbursement of grants, transaction recording, and reconciliation. The Accounting
Associate will report to the Controller under the supervision of the Vice President, Finance and
will work cooperatively with the Finance department as well as other Foundation staff. This
position is a non-exempt position.

ABOUT THE WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION 

 
We are a nonprofit community foundation, comprised of over 1,600 funds, that assists people
and organizations with their charitable giving, provides financial aid to college students, and
makes Community Grants to nonprofit organizations in Forsyth County. We are the oldest
foundation in North Carolina, and we are one of the oldest community foundations in the
country. Since 2018, the Foundation has been on a journey to deepen its understanding of and
commitment to racial equity as both a priority in our work in the community and as a hallmark of
our organizational culture.
Our vision:
A generous and trusting community where everyone is thriving.
Our mission:
We inspire giving and link resources to action, strengthening Forsyth County—now and forever.
Our values

• Inclusion – we practice and champion inclusion, honoring the strengths and experiencesof all in our community.

• Accountability – we honor the intentions of our donors and partners and hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics, service, and stewardship.

• Continuous Learning – we are committed to learning and evolving with our community and our partners.

DESCRIPTION OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

All staff work together to live out the Foundation's mission, values, and equity commitment.
Each person actively participates in education sessions, work groups, and other formal and informal opportunities to learn about and operationalize our shared commitment to equity.

• Monitor online activity for checking account for appropriateness of transactions

• Initiate daily remote deposit for checks received and prepare cash deposit summary 

• Review and finalize cash gifts, stock proceeds, principal distributions, and operating receipts for posting to general ledger

• Review and finalize credit card gifts for posting to general ledger

• Review and finalize stock gifts for posting to general ledger

• Process weekly grant payments (either by check or electronic funds transfer) initiated by other departments and ensure all scheduled grants have been paid

• Upload Positive Pay report to bank to authorize check payments and reduce check fraud

• Coordinate the flow of funds (additions and withdrawals) with investment managers/advisors and record related transactions for posting to general ledger 

• Transfer money accordingly (ex.: to Savings, Millennium Fund, etc.)

• Work closely with the Grants Processor and Gifts Processor, often on a daily basis

• Perform month-end account reconciliations to assure general ledger accuracy 

• Reconcile fund balances and prepare reports for the Foundation’s Strategic Initiatives department

• Respond to information requests from other departments and prepare appropriate reports 

• Process operating payments weekly (either by check or electronic funds transfer) that have been approved by various staff and ensure all monthly operating invoices have been paid 

• Perform such other duties that may be assigned from time to time

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Commitment to the Foundation’s values

• Commitment to and understanding of racial equity 

• Commitment to continuous improvement

• Two-year Associate degree in accounting at a minimum 

• Banking background is a plus

• Two to three years accounting experience or equivalent education 

• Highly developed organizational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to prioritize work effectively and manage multiple demands 

• Problem-solving skills, inquisitive nature 

• Well-developed interpersonal skills and mature work ethic 

• Ability to function as part of a team 

• Ability to interact respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures 

• High level proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook 

• Knowledge of Blackbaud software (Financial Edge NXT) preferred

• Candidate must successfully pass financial and criminal background checks