General Ledger Manager in Washington, District of Columbia at The Aspen Institute

ABOUT US

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

The mission of the Office of Financial Operations (OFO) is to deliver timely and accurate financial reporting, analysis, and guidance that allows the Institute to pursue its programmatic goals and provide financial confidence in the organization. The OFO principally assists the organization's various programs and departments and its Board of Trustees by planning, organizing, and directing financial activities in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws as well as the standards set forth by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). OFO promotes sound fiscal management through leadership, policy, and oversight.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The General Ledger Manager plays a key role in supporting the financial integrity and operational effectiveness of the Aspen Institute’s Office of Financial Operations. This position is responsible for assisting with general ledger management, preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and supporting the monthly close process. The General Ledger Manager ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and contributes to accurate and timely financial reporting. This role requires strong attention to detail, a commitment to accuracy, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments in a mission-driven nonprofit environment.

This position reports to the Director of Accounting and Treasury Unit and works closely with the entire finance department to ensure the integrity of the general ledger. The General Ledger Manager also provides day-to-day guidance to the Senior Staff Accountant and the Staff Accountant - Gifts Processing and serves as a key backup for critical accounting and payroll functions, making this role central to the reliability and continuity of the Institute’s financial operations. The salary range for this position is $116,100 – $148,400. In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the ?General Ledger Manager should be willing to be in-person with colleagues a minimum of 40% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

General Ledger Management & Financial Close

• Maintain the general ledger, including preparing, reviewing, and posting journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Lead the monthly and year-end close process for assigned accounts, ensuring deadlines are met and account balances are accurate.
• Monitor general ledger accounts for unusual activity and investigate and resolve errors or discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Support the preparation of monthly and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

Cash & Treasury Operations

• Manage internal bank transfers and process external wires to fund the Accounts Payable account
• Daily maintenance of cash book

Reconciliations

• Reconcile Interfund payable accounts
• Perform reconciliations between Salesforce (NPC) and NetSuite including Charitable clearing account and AR Gift/AR Grant accounts
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts, including prepaid expenses, accrued liabilities, and other general ledger accounts, on a monthly basis.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items and discrepancies in a timely manner, partnering with relevant departments as needed.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the Director of Accounting and Treasury Unit throughout the year to progressively assume oversight of the Institute's gift processing function.
• Serve as the designated backup for the Accounts Payable Manager and Payroll Manager, ensuring continuity of critical accounting and payroll operations during their absences
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support audits and ensure financial integrity across the organization

Audit, Compliance & Process Improvement

• Support the annual financial statement audit, retirement plan audit, and other regulatory filings by preparing schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation as requested.
• Assist in maintaining and strengthening internal controls over financial reporting and general ledger activity.
• Identify and help implement process improvements to increase the efficiency and accuracy of general ledger and reconciliation processes.
• Support special projects and ad hoc financial analysis as assigned.

Other Responsibilities include

• Provide day-to-day guidance, training, and performance feedback to the Senior Staff Accountant and the Staff Accountant - Gifts Processing.
• Plan, assign, and review team workload to ensure accurate and timely completion of general ledger and gift processing activities.
• Support the professional growth of direct reports by identifying development opportunities and providing ongoing coaching.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit environment.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Experience with general ledger management, journal entry preparation, and month-end/year-end close processes in a complex accounting environment.
• Experience with accounting systems (NetSuite preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions for data analysis and reconciliation.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervising and developing staff, managing priorities, and collaborating effectively across departments.
• The ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered please complete an application, provide a resume and a cover letter.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

The Aspen Institute welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs, including the interview process. If you would like to request accommodations or hav questions about accessibility, please email hrsupport@aspeninstitute.org or call 202-736-2127 in advance of your visit. Requests for ASL or CART services should be made at least two weeks in advance when possible. We will make every effort to fulfill requests, subject to availability