Senior Accountant

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Accounting Manager, the Senior Accountant is responsible for preparing, reviewing, reconciling, and inputting accounting data. The Senior Accountant works with accounting team members to ensure the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of data used to prepare reports, financial statements, and projections.  

At the zoo we look for employees who are passionate about conservation, who approach their daily work with a can-do attitude, who are resourceful, who communicate respectfully with everyone, and are ready to work hard supporting the zoo’s mission of creating champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Reports directly to the Controller.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responsible for daily accounting functions and ensuring departmental staff have appropriate support, training, and guidance to fulfill their responsibilities. 
2. Verifies financial data in accordance with GAAP.
3. Works with relevant departments to ensure financial information and reporting is accurate and complete.  
4. Creates journal entries and completes month-end reconciliations (sales, AP, Misc Income, purchasing, payroll, and retirement).
5. Supports production of monthly and year-end financial statements and supplemental financial reports within specified deadlines.
6. Prepares and distributes ad hoc financial reports as directed by the Accounting Manager. 
7. Proactively works to strengthen departmental trust and relationships through responsiveness and support. 
8. Initiates periodic internal audits and fraud detection techniques. 
9. Ensures regulatory compliance within functional areas of responsibility.
10. Develops, implements, and enforces departmental procedures and policies.
11. Prepares materials for analysis and audits as directed by the Accounting Manager.
12. Serves as liaison for annual audits or reviews such as workers compensation and retirement benefits.
13. Facilitates grant financial tracking and reporting.
14. Other duties as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES NEEDED

• Supports governmental reporting including DOL reporting, 1099 preparation, and W2’s.
• Reconciles and validates monthly SSA Commissions Recap.
• Reconciles purchasing system to the accounting system. 
• Ensuring all employee onboarding, benefit enrollment, and other payroll related changes are prepared in time for payroll processing. 
• Provides support for ensuring biweekly payroll is submitted accurately and timely, that benefits reconciliation is complete, and that the organization is compliant with the ACA. 
• Supervisory and training experience preferred.
• Must be a thorough and detailed person with sound judgment and technical skills, analytical ability, and ability to focus and prioritize multiple – and sometimes competing – projects. High moral, ethical standards, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are required.
• Must be able to think critically and demonstrate problem-solving skills.
• Must be organized, efficient, decisive, intelligent, and have highly effective communication skills.
• The ability to communicate orally with customers, vendors, management, and other co-workers is crucial. 
• Regular use of the telephone and e-mail for communication is essential. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS 

• Must have 3-5 years of accounting experience. Nonprofit or industry-specific experience preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or another suitable field of study is preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION 

• Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a drug-free workplace. All employees are subject to random drug testing. 
• Provide a negative TB test prior to hire date and maintain TB testing through course of employment.
• Requires a valid drivers license. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION 

• Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a drug-free workplace. All employees are subject to random drug testing. 
• Provide a negative TB test prior to hire date and maintain TB testing through course of employment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The job is performed indoors in a traditional office setting. Activities include extended periods of sitting and extensive work at a computer and phone. Activities require the ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time, occasionally move about inside the office to access files or office equipment, operate a computer and other office productivity machines, such as a calculator, handheld devices, copy machine, and computer printer, and operate and monitor various equipment. Must be able to constantly position self to maintain equipment, including under tables and desks. No heavy lifting is expected. Exertion of up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally may be required. Good manual dexterity for the use of common office equipment such as computer terminals, calculators, and copiers.

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create a welcoming environment for all.