Job Description

Senior Accountant (CPA)

Job Description

Last Updated on October 17, 2025

About NYC Kids RISE

NYC Kids RISE is a nonprofit organization working with the City of New York and the NYC Department of Education to manage the Save for College Program (the Program). Through the Program, eligible students enrolled in an NYC public school (including participating charter schools), starting in kindergarten, automatically receive a free NYC Scholarship Account with an initial allocation of $100 by NYC Kids RISE on their behalf, invested in a NY 529 Direct Plan, and opportunities to receive additional rewards over time. Their families can open and connect their own college savings account on their child’s behalf, and communities can contribute to groups of these NYC Scholarship Accounts as both a targeted and universal platform for community-driven asset-building in every neighborhood. This approach draws from a variety of best practices and disciplines across the fields of asset building, child savings accounts, financial empowerment, education, community wealth building, urban poverty, neighborhood effects and social capital research, collective impact, and more. Read more about NYC Kids RISE and the Save for College Program and listen to stories from partners who helped build the platform during its pilot phase from 2017 to 2022.  You can also view recent articles in the New York Times , Fast Company , the Wall Street Journal , and the NYCHA Journal ; and read more about NYC Kids RISE theory of change in a report by the Urban Institute.

After a successful pilot phase in the communities of School District 30 in Queens, NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program expanded citywide during the 2021-2022 school year. This past 2024-2025 school year, more than 280,000 students participated in the Program, across more than 1,000 elementary schools, and have an NYC Scholarship Account for their educational futures.

Senior Accountant (CPA)

The Senior Accountant (CPA) owns the month‑end close and day‑to‑day accounting, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting, grant and restriction tracking, and audit‑ready documentation. This role will support the buildout and maintenance of systems to support accurate and effective accounting for grant-funded operations across the organization.  The role is hands-on with QuickBooks and partners cross‑functionally to produce on‑time funder reports and management packs. During a 60–90 day period, the SA will collaborate with a fractional external accountant for knowledge transfer, documentation, and backlog clean-up.

The Senior Accountant is a key member of the growing Finance team. This individual will play a critical role in supporting the future and success of NYC Kids RISE and the Save for College Program and will be ready for their next big challenge to make a lasting impact for all New York City kids across generations throughout the five boroughs. 

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting across grant funded programs
• Maintain compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and funder requirements
• Strengthen financial systems and documentation to support scale and audit readiness

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES - SENIOR ACCOUNTANT (CPA)

Month-End Close & Reconciliation 

• Own a BD10 close, maintaining a published close calendar and checklist.
• Prepare and post recurring and ad‑hoc journal entries: (e.g., accruals, prepaids, depreciation, payroll/benefits true‑ups).
• Reconcile cash, bank, investment, and 529 accounts monthly; clear reconciling items within 30 days.

Grants, Restrictions, & Reporting

• Develop and maintain a system for grant allocations and restrictions,  roll‑forwards (beginning balance → activity → ending balance) and book monthly releases in accordance with ASC 958.
• Produce spend‑by‑funder schedules for Program/Development and support timely grant reporting.
• Produce monthly budget-to-actual financial reports at the organizational, account, and (by the end of month 6) departmental level for the organization. Support the Director of Finance and Chief of Administration and Finance in coordinating and communicating about financial trends and results.
• Support modeling and documentation of functional expense allocations; post monthly allocation JEs and quarterly reviews.
• Support the Director of Finance with cash and P&L forecasting 

AP, Cards, & Vendor Management

• Oversee AP cycle with three‑way match (as applicable), invoice coding/approvals, and on‑time payments.
• Maintain vendor master hygiene and 1099 tracking; lead year‑end filings.
• Operate card/expense policy controls; run monthly exceptions reports and follow‑ups.

Payroll & Benefits

• Reconcile payroll general ledger entries to provider reports each pay period 
• Perform quarterly reconciliations for 401(k) and other benefits in collaboration with Human Resources
• Support W‑2 and 1095 reporting, as needed.

Compliance, Audit, & Documentation

• Maintain a rolling audit and 990 PBC binder including schedules, samples, and tie‑outs.
• Finalize SOPs for recurring processes in collaboration with the external accountant (through transitional period)
• Support regulatory compliance, including CHAR500 fillings and annual audit coordination

Cross-functional & Special Projects

• Partner with Program/Development on grant reporting calendars and data pulls (e.g., Salesforce, Airtable).
• Contribute to policy/COA governance, process improvements, and systems enhancements in QuickBooks and related tools.
• Support NYCKR specific accounting workflows (e.g., Community Scholarship and Forfeiture/Omnibus Account transactions) with clear documentation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Credentials & Experience

• Active CPA (New York or ability to obtain reciprocity promptly).
• 7-10 years progressive accounting experience, including 3 years in nonprofit grant/restricted funds accounting.
• Demonstrated ownership of a BD10 (or similar) close with reconciliations and workpaper documentation.
• Experience working in the metropolitan New York City area is strongly preferred.
  
   

Technical Skills

• QuickBooks (Online or Enterprise) proficiency for day‑to‑day operations and month‑end close.
• Strong GAAP knowledge (ASC 958); audit/990 PBC experience; 1099 compliance.
• Advanced Excel (pivots, XLOOKUP/INDEX‑MATCH); comfort with Google Workspace.
• Deep understanding of how to build, maintain and effectively report against complex allocations requirements (by contract / grant, department, etc.)
  
   

Core Competencies

• Highly detail-oriented, documentation-driven, and deadline-reliable
• Clear and concise communicator who collaborates effectively with non-finance stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in fast-paced, cross-sector environments
• Entrepreneurial and resourceful, with a bias toward continuous improvement and strong internal controls
• Adaptable and flexible, able to navigate ambiguity and growth contexts

Mission Alignment

• Passion for expanding economic opportunity and long-term financial security for NYC families and communities
• Commitment to advancing equity and addressing the racial wealth gap through asset-building strategies

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Salesforce/Airtable (read/exports) and expense/AP tools (e.g., Bill.com, Expensify/Divvy).
• Prior exposure to college savings/529‑style accounting, investment reconciliations, or multi‑fund environments.
• Experience with accounting requirements and practices related to nonprofit endowments
• Process documentation and SOP creation; policy/COA governance.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $118,000 - $135,000. NYC Kids RISE provides a comprehensive benefits package including 30 days of paid time off (15 vacation days for new employees increasing with tenure; 5 personal days; and two weeks of office closure per year, one in early July and one at the end of December), plus sick time and holidays; medical, dental, vision, life, short- & long-term disability insurance; healthcare FSA with employer contribution; dependent care FSA; and a 401(k) with 4% employer match after one year of service. 

LOCATION AND WORK SCHEDULE

NYC Kids RISE currently maintains a hybrid work environment where staff work both from home and in the office, as determined by the staff member's preferences as well as the needs of the organization and the specific responsibilities of individual roles and teams. The offices are in Long Island City (Queens, NY). 

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply, please submit a resume and brief cover letter via NYC Kids RISE Careers page .

NYC Kids Rise is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of gender, religion, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, marital status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, unemployed status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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