Accountant, Endowment & Institutional Funds

Summary This position supports the SAU Controller, AVP of Advancement, and Director of Financial Aid in the areas of institutional fund accounting and mobilization of resources within a Christ-centered higher education environment. The role is responsible for specialized and/or complex accounting areas including, but not limited to, endowment accounting, designated giving, strategic fund balance management, and related cross-departmental initiatives. Individual will exhibit a life and service that is in full accord with The Spring Arbor University Concept and Community Covenant. Exempt, full-time, 12 months. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Reconciling all endowment accounting records, including gifts, distributions, adjustments, etc. Working to innovate and streamline endowment accounting processes with intention of building greater transparency for donors and creating analytical tools for Finance to drive increased giving. Communicating across departments to establish revenue attainment and recognition policy, as well as fund balance utilization recommendations. Serving as a Finance Office liaison to assess, evaluate, and execute strategic plan initiatives, including progression/milestone tracking. Supporting chart of accounts maintenance, including restructuring and optimization for reporting and compliance needs. Developing working knowledge of financial aid accounting and collaborating with the Financial Aid Director to maximize awards to students as a key driver of enrollment. Embracing technology (specifically AI) to improve internal reporting accuracy and effectiveness, and data analysis capabilities in the Finance, Advancement, and Financial Aid offices. Supporting the University grant writer in researching grant opportunities and supplying financial information for proper grant compliance. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field. Strong knowledge of endowment and fund accounting principles, especially in the context of higher education. Consideration will be given to those with nonprofit accounting experience, but higher education or donor accounting experience is preferred. Advanced Excel, Power BI, and Automated Workflow application skills. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to manage complex, cross-functional priorities and meet deadlines. A passion for innovation through collaboration and technology. Basic knowledge and understanding of AI prompting. Basic Oracle systems experience preferred, though not required. Investment strategy and experience desired, though not required. Commitment to exhibiting a life of service and supporting the Christ-centered mission of Spring Arbor University. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Spring Arbor University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. Spring Arbor University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements; the University's hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the "religion" component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions) and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.