Senior Accountant (Temporary)

Position: Senior Accountant (Temporary)

Reports to: Vice President, Controller

Department: Finance

Organization Summary

United Way of New York City (UWNYC) works with a coalition of trusted partners to unite community power with citywide possibility. Together, we meet today’s most urgent needs while building transformative solutions for tomorrow — striving for health, opportunity, and prosperity for every New Yorker in every neighborhood. Part of the United Way Worldwide system, one of the world’s most recognized charitable brands, we believe that New Yorkers deserve to thrive where they live and envision a future where all New Yorkers have the resources they need to live long, healthy lives in flourishing and resilient neighborhoods. We strive to model our values in all our relationships, both internal and external: Collaboration, Compassion, Integrity, Accountability, and Superior Performance.

UWNYC’s Finance work follows a place-based model—partnering directly with neighborhoods, schools, and families to design solutions informed by local knowledge, community priorities, and the lived experiences of New Yorkers.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President, Controller, the Senior Account serves as a senior accountant, playing a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial transactions, reporting, and compliance activities. They are the “right hand” to UWNYC’s Controller and work closely with the rest of the Finance team, transacting various accounting functions including general ledger maintenance, accounts receivable, journal entries, reconciliations, data analysis, and audit support.

Primary Responsibilities

• General ledger maintenance, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
• Manage the end-to-end semi-monthly payroll process in coordination with Human Resources and the payroll provider, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of employee compensation, deductions, taxes, and related payroll reporting and reconciliations.
• Payroll accounting and labor distribution monitoring.
• Accounts receivable, revenue recognition, and fundraising revenue processing.
• Bank and credit card reconciliations.
• Fixed assets and restricted net assets accounting.
• Financial statement review and analysis.
• Year-end close and annual audit support.
• Form 990 preparation and supporting documentation.
• Financial reporting and custom report development.
• Accounts payable and payroll backup support.
• Financial systems and general ledger architecture maintenance.
• Ad hoc accounting projects and process improvements.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required; CPA preferred.
• Minimum of six (6) years of relevant accounting and/or auditing experience; seven (7) to ten (10) years preferred.
• Demonstrated transactional accounting experience, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger accounting, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and cross-functional environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and assignments, adapt to frequent changes with confidence and composure, and exercise sound judgment.
• Experience with payroll accounting and payroll processing required.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting requirements; nonprofit accounting experience preferred.
• Experience supporting year-end close, external audits, and preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Experience supporting Form 990 preparation and providing financial documentation and questionnaires preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis functions preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with nonprofit fund accounting, including tracking restricted and unrestricted funds, grants, programs, and departmental expenses using systems such as Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Sage Intacct, MIP Fund Accounting, or a comparable platform.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify discrepancies and recommend appropriate corrections.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with various levels of management.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work in a meticulous, thorough, and precise manner.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to take ownership of non-routine assignments and projects.
• Strong follow-through and demonstrated ability to bring projects to timely completion.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Key Competencies

• Accountability
• Communication
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Analytical

Additional Requirements

• UWNYC is presently on a Hybrid/In-Person work schedule.

United Way of NYC Core Competencies for All Staff

• Mission Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to the mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations.
• Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before processes and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• Collaborator: Understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• Results Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good: creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
• Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

United Way of New York City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer