Senior Staff Accountant

Summary

The Senior Staff Accountant provides financial information about the Zoo’s activities that will assist management and other users in making educated economic decisions concerning the Birmingham Zoo (BZI).

Essential Job Functions

• Performs, coordinates, and facilitates the accounting functions of the zoo, including, but not limited to, cash management, daily receivables, accounts payable, banking, and reporting functions.
• Prepares, analyzes, and reviews monthly financial statements and related reports for presentation to management and the Board of Directors.
• Manages chart of accounts, general ledger, and month-end close processes
• Responsible for reconciliation and analysis of all balance sheet and income statement accounts
• Manages restricted assets and expenditures for the proper recognition and allocation of restricted contributions.
• Performs monthly reconciliation of all contributions with Development department.
• Manages bank accounts and performs monthly reconciliations to assure appropriate cash management.
• Supervises cash control function for the effective safeguard of cash, ensure cash receipts are deposited timely, and all discrepancies are documented and resolved in a timely manner.
• Manages cash office and works closely with Revenue department on their daily cash needs during normal operating hours and during special events.
• Supervises accounts payable function to assure timely, properly documented, and approved payments to vendors.
• Ensures appropriate accounting and financial controls and policies are followed.
• Maintains fixed asset inventory to ensure the existence and quality of the fixed assets on the balance sheet.
• Maintains depreciation and amortization schedules of all company fixed assets.
• Leads work with audit and tax return preparation staff, prepares supporting schedules, and reconciles all finished reports back to the general ledger.
• Works closely with departmental managers on a monthly basis to ensure accuracy of departmental financial reporting.  
• Prepares necessary reports required by governmental and regulatory agencies in an accurate and timely manner.
• Works with banks and financial institutions.
• Randomly audits cash handling procedures in Visitors Services/Revenue and Education areas to ensure proper processes are being followed.
• And other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Staff Accountant
• Accounting Clerk
• Accounts Payable Specialist
• Cash Control Clerk(s)

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Senior Staff Accountant position is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well. 

The Senior Staff Accountant, as with any employee of the Zoo, is required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the employee handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls. 
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, and talk or hear. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS        

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• Three (3) years of comparable-level financial experience for a medium or large organization; non-profit experience helpful.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communications, and organizational skills.
• Flexible, assertive and tactful individual with high integrity and strong work ethic.
• Able to work under pressure, juggle priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Must demonstrate attention-to-detail and good record-keeping skills
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse workforce and audience.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and related programs including proficiency and understanding of computerized financial management/database systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains, Report Writer for Great Plains, and working in point-of-sale systems preferred, or must be willing to learn.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

• Full time
• Weekdays required; may be asked to work weekends or special events occasionally.
• Will be included in the Manager on Duty (MOD) rotation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to creating a global community where all people value wildlife and wild places. As a workplace, the Zoo is guided by its core values: Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and those with diverse lived experiences are encouraged to apply for this role.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position. 

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.