Senior Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

The mission of the Children’s Museum Houston is to transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning that improves the trajectories of all children in Greater Houston. 

For more than four decades, Children's Museum Houston has supported student achievement, empowered parents, and ignited a life-long love of learning. We are consistently rated as one of the top children's museums in the nation. Our programming serves more than 900,000 participants annually at the Museum, at the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center, and at the 270+ outreach locations across Greater Houston. We welcome families with offerings that include 13 exhibits, a performing arts series, a full slate of cultural programming, science activities led by degreed educators, and weekly Free Family Nights

Job Summary

The Senior Accountant supports Children's Museum Houston's mission by performing and coordinating key accounting functions to ensure accurate financial reporting, effective internal controls, and timely completion of month-end close activities. This position serves as the senior accounting resource within the department, supervises the Accountant, and works closely with the Controller to maintain the integrity of the Museum's financial records.

The Senior Accountant is responsible for bank reconciliations, general ledger maintenance, month-end journal entries, account reconciliations, accounts payable and accounts receivable oversight, audit support, compliance reporting, and process improvement initiatives. This is a hands-on role that balances daily accounting responsibilities with higher-level review, analysis, and team leadership. This position is not responsible for payroll processing.

Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting Operations and Team Leadership

•    Supervise, train, and provide daily guidance to the Accountant.

•    Review work prepared by the Accountant for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with organizational policies.

•    Coordinate and monitor accounting workflow and deadlines.

•    Serve as a resource to departments regarding accounting procedures, coding, and documentation requirements.

General Ledger and Month-End Close

•    Maintain the general ledger and ensure transactions are properly recorded.

•    Prepare recurring and non-recurring journal entries, including accruals, prepaid expenses, deferred revenue, and allocations.

•    Perform monthly account reconciliations and investigate and resolve reconciling items.

•    Review financial activity for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification.

•    Assist the Controller with the timely completion of month-end and year-end close activities.

•    Research and resolve accounting discrepancies.

Cash Management and Reconciliations

•    Prepare and maintain daily and monthly bank reconciliations.

•    Monitor cash activity and investigate unusual or unmatched transactions.

•    Ensure cash receipts and deposits are accurately recorded and reconciled.

Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Oversight

•    Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes performed by the Accountant.

•    Review vendor payments, customer invoices, account coding, and supporting documentation.

•    Assist with collection efforts and reconciliation of outstanding receivables.

•    Monitor aging reports and identify items requiring follow-up.

Compliance, Audit, and Reporting

•    Prepare monthly sales tax filings and related support.

•    Assist with grant reporting and compliance requirements.

•    Support annual financial statement audits, benefit plan audits, and Form 990 preparation by providing schedules and documentation.

•    Maintain organized and audit-ready accounting records.

Process Improvement and Special Projects

•    Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and internal controls.

•    Assist with accounting system enhancements and workflow improvements.

•    Develop and maintain accounting procedures and documentation.

•    Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises the Accountant within the Finance Department. Responsibilities include assigning and reviewing work, training and coaching staff, establishing priorities, and ensuring the timely completion of accounting activities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Required

•    Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

•    Minimum of five years of progressive accounting experience.

•    Strong experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, bank reconciliations, and month-end close processes.

•    Experience reviewing the work of others and coordinating accounting activities.

•    Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal control principles.

Preferred Qualifications

•    Nonprofit accounting experience.

•    Experience with Financial Edge NXT, Blackbaud systems, and Altru.

•    Experience supporting annual audits and compliance reporting.

•    CPA certification or progress toward certification.

Required Skills

•    Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.

•    Strong bank reconciliation and account reconciliation experience.

•    Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and data analysis.

•    Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

•    Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

•    Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines and work independently.

•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

•    Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

This position works primarily in an office environment and frequently sits, uses a computer, and communicates with others. The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.