Accountant

Organization

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (“Helmsley”) is a global philanthropy driven by a vision of building better futures for people by increasing access to healthcare, advancing new research and ideas, and improving the quality of everyday life. Helmsley strives to make a meaningful impact in its focus areas, matching its significant financial assets with a rigorous and results-oriented approach. Helmsley is committed to close and productive partnerships with its grantees, as well as with other funders and impact players in government, academia, and the private sector who share its interests and goals. Above all, Helmsley endeavors to be forward-thinking in every aspect of its work and will take risks that others cannot or will not take when the risk/reward trade-off warrants.

Since 2008, when Helmsley began its active grantmaking, it has committed more than $4.5 billion. For more information on Helmsley, please visit https://helmsleytrust.org/.

Position Summary

The Accountant reports to the Controller and works closely with department and program staff as well as outside service providers. The individual is responsible for performing accounting activities, mainly ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), relating to the maintenance of the general ledger and the generation of financial statements and reports. The individual prepares financial reports and conducts financial analysis. This individual will also serve as a backup for other team members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• General Accounting and FinTech
  • Prepare and assist in posting journal entries to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
  • Support the monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing processes.
  • Collaborate with fintech initiatives and enhancements to improve internal processes and user experience.

• Reconciliations and Reporting
  • Prepare corporate credit card reconciliation, investigate variances, and ensure adherence to company policies.
  • Support monthly account reconciliations, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accounts requested by management.

• Payroll Accounting and Related Matters
  • Reconcile payroll and payroll-related accounts monthly
  • Perform monthly, quarterly and annual benefits and retirements reconciliations.

• Compliance and Documentation
  • Assist with audit preparation and provide supporting documentation as needed.
  • Review travel and expense reports for policy compliance and accuracy.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate possesses skills and experience drawing from a non-profit and accounting background.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required. CPA required or working toward certification.
• At least 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Not-for-profit experience required.
• Working knowledge of GAAP and prior experience preparing US GAAP financial statements.
• Thrives in a team environment, effective at building and maintaining collaborative relationships, and positively contributes to the organizational culture.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with advanced Excel skills.
• Experience working with enterprise accounting software and other office systems and able to adapt to new systems; knowledge of NetSuite, Concur, a plus.
• Strong planning, organization, and time management skills.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills, and the ability to convey financial information in a clear, concise manner that is understandable by program staff.
• Sense of humor and an up-beat attitude under pressure.
• Detail oriented with strong analytical skills.

Salary, Health, Well-being, and Living Our Mission

Helmsley is dedicated to creating stronger, healthier futures for communities in the U.S. and around the world. Our staff are subject matter experts from a range of backgrounds in basic science, global health, and precision medicine, as well as the private sector and public policy.

Helmsley colleagues are intelligent, creative, forward thinking, and strongly committed to working productively with each other and with our grantee partners. Each was drawn to Helmsley by the same opportunity: to help build this young organization into a leading global charitable institution that will drive meaningful and measurable positive change in lives throughout the U.S. and around the world for years to come.

Helmsley is committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation commensurate with experience. The targeted starting salary range for this position is $92,000 – $99,000.

Comprehensive benefits currently offered to employees (subject to change) include:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families
• Generous 401(k) employer contribution
• Hybrid work schedule (up to two remote days a week)
• 23+ paid vacation and sick days
• 13+ paid holidays
• End of year office closure
• Summer Fridays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Personal and team professional development opportunities

Application Information

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume (in Word or PDF format) to the posting listed on the Helmsley Career Page. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact HR@helmsleytrust.org.

The position is based at Helmsley’s main office in New York City. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

All persons hired must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Helmsley will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Except when working remotely as permitted by Helmsley’s temporary hybrid work policy, the ability to work and collaborate in person with colleagues at Helmsley’s office is an essential function of this job.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Helmsley provides equal employment and promotional opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.