PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks an experienced, efficient, and detail-oriented senior accountant to support our finance operations. This is a full-time position based at PEN America’s New York City headquarters and reports to the chief financial and administrative officer.

The senior accountant will perform finance and administration functions including managing the budgets, monitoring revenues and expenses, and conducting audits. The successful candidate will be part of a dedicated and mission-driven staff at a fast-paced organization with an ambitious growth agenda. For a high-capacity individual with a willingness to take on new challenges, the position offers opportunity for professional advancement within nonprofit operations and management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor expenses and prepare budgets on existing and new programs

• Set up systems and controls on financing and release of funds

• Manage accounting software package (Fund EZ) including maximizing system functionality and ensuring data integrity

• Update program directors on budget-to-actual departmental results on a monthly basis

• Liaise with external accountants, prepare relevant schedules, and ensure timely completion of adjusting journal entries

• Initiate reconciliation of development database and Fund EZ for special events

• Design and conduct internal audits and other internal control tests to ensure compliance with procedures

• Perform monthly bank reconciliations

• Review A/P and A/R entries in the accounting system

• Update prepaid expense, accrued expense, and fixed asset schedules

• Manage monthly investment schedules

• Manage pre-award grant activities, including assessing financial proposal guidelines; collecting, composing, and/or preparing administrative components for proposal submissions; and supporting the preparation of financial applications, including developing budgets

• Prepare financial reports to foundation and government funders, working in collaboration with program implementation teams to ensure timely submissions

• Provide support to the development team regarding compliance and budgeting with private and corporate foundation grants

• Maintain and update financial records and systems for grants

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum five years experience in nonprofit financial management/accounting

• Specific or clearly transferable experience in the field of grants management and compliance in the context of nonprofit organizations

• Excellent knowledge of accounting regulations and procedures, including the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Experience using Excel and other accounting software. FundEZ strongly preferred.

• Extensive budget management experience

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to follow through from the identification of a challenge to its solution

• Excellent interpersonal and written/oral communications skills

• Formidable work ethic and high energy level with ability to multitask effectively

Salary and Benefits:Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $75k-$85k, commensurate with experience. Candidates whose expectations are outside this range are welcome to apply, as PEN America is open to considering talented individuals at varying stages of their careers. PEN America’s benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, ten paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits and a 403b retirement plan.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please use “Senior Accountant” with your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Senior Accountant – Jane Doe”). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

No phone calls, please.  

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.