Accounting Manager (Job ID: 2025-3657)

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.  

  

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy. 

  

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors

 

The Office of Financial Service (OFS) is dedicated to supporting the mission of Brookings by ensuring and enhancing its financial health and promoting financial efficiency and innovation. We accomplish this by safeguarding the institution’s assets, stewarding donor contributions and providing quality and client-driven service characterized by professionalism, integrity, reliability, transparency, accountability, expertise, and above all else – respectfulness and fairness. OFS is comprised of Accounting, Financial Planning and Management, Financial Operations and Investments. 

 

The Controller’s Office manages the functions of General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Tax Reporting, Accounts Receivable and Financial Systems.

 

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.  

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

 

The Accounting Manager will perform the daily operational activities of the General Ledger (GL) unit within the Controller’s Office, implement and maintain a strong internal control structure to safeguard company assets and ensure financial integrity, ensuring accuracy and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GAAP). The Accounting Manager will oversee the day-to-day accounting operations and general ledger activities of the Organization. and oversees the main transaction cycles such as monthly close, accounts receivable and revenue, billing, cash management and reconciliations, accounts payable, etc. The Accounting Manager leads and mentors a team of two highly performing senior accountants, providing guidance and support to ensure high performance and professional development. This is a highly visible role that partners and collaborates cross functionally within the Controller’s Office, and with staff across business units and research programs. This position requires a professional who is strong technically, possesses good analytical skills, and demonstrates exceptional potential in leadership and team building.

 

General Ledger Accounting (80%)

• Lead the monthly and year-end closing processes including running allocations, revenue, and expense releases

• Prepare standard and adjusting journal entries based on accounting research, reconciling items, and requests from internal parties

• Review and post journal entries prepared by direct reports and others

• Run monthly EMS conference service process

• Run endowment monthly processes and reconcile quarterly with the investment reports

• Reconcile assigned general ledger accounts on a monthly basis; review balance sheets account reconciliations prepared by others on a quarterly basis

• Perform pre-closing trial balance analysis; review analysis performed by direct reports

• Participate in annual external audit, including timely preparation and organization of audit schedules, work papers and various reports; review schedules, work papers and reports prepared by direct reports

• Review semi-monthly payroll accounting; review and post payroll accounting adjustments submitted by programs

• Oversee customers and grants billing, identify and resolve gifts/grants revenue, deferred, and AR related issues

• Oversee cash application process and post applicable cash receipt entries

• Ensure reconciliation with Development team on UNR cash receipts and timely transfer of Endowment cash receipts to the custodian bank

• Assist with the preparation of 990 and 403b audit

• Provide assistance to research and non-research finan