Investment Accountant

Investment Accountant

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 helmsleytrust.org.

The Investment Accountant is an integral part of the Finance team and assists in accounting for the investments of Helmsley's endowment of approximately $7.6 billion. This role requires a partnership philosophy with Helmsley's internal and external parties. The Investment Accountant reports to the Tax and Investment Accounting Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that Helmsley's financial controls, investment accounting policies and procedures are maintained and enhanced.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing and accounting of investment transactions, including: settlement of trades, monitoring movement of securities, cash and position reconciliations, execution of capital calls, receipt of distributions, and other capital activities, monthly/quarterly management fee analysis and payment, preparation of accounting and tax journal entries, other shadow accounting activities as appropriate.
• Stay current with evolving accounting, technology, and reporting considerations of investment products.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and analyses to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet grantmaking, operational and strategic funding requirements.
• Manage dynamic interaction and cooperation with Investments Department.
• Perform as primary contact for relationship and collaboration of investment administration with Master Custodian Bank to ensure smooth operations and timely resolution of issues.
• Prepare annual financial audit workpapers and act as liaison with outside auditors on investment accounting matters.

Tax Matters

• Analyze Schedules K-1.
• Prepare tax workpapers.
• Review foreign filings.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related experience. CPA preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience applying accounting principles to investment accounting for all types of securities and alternative investments at an investment firm or endowment.
• Flexibility and adaptability commensurate with working in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, corporate enterprise-wide accounting software and ability to adapt to new systems.
• Prior experience with master custodial banks.
• Strong planning, organization, and time management skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of financial information.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to convey relevant financial information in a clear, concise manner to a non-technical audience.
• Must thrive in a team-setting but work well independently and self-sufficiently.
• Positive attitude under pressure.

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. 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 $98,000 – $102,800.

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