Foundation Fund Accountant

Job Title: Foundation Fund Accountant
Location: Dalton State College
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 305060
About Us

Dalton State College delivers a transformational education experience in a community serving more than 5,000 students through its two campuses and online programs. A member of the University System of Georgia, we provide access to high-quality bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and career and teaching certificate programs that are responsive to regional and state needs.

Located about 90 minutes from Atlanta and 30 minutes from Chattanooga, Dalton State is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northwest Georgia and is surrounded by abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. We attract students from 35 countries and 26 states. Approximately half of our students are first-generation college students. Dalton State is Georgia's first federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); through this designation, we administer a Title V and a Title III HSI STEM Grant program that benefit all students.

Our mission and values undergird our commitment to creating a sense of belonging for all students and to ensuring their success. Dalton State was ranked #1 in the nation for Student Experience in The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings and the #2 most recommended institution in the country in 2025. In addition, we are proud to have been recognized in 2024 as one of 75 "Great Colleges to Work For" by ModernThink, along with an Honor Roll distinction.

Job Summary

The Foundation Fund Accountant performs accounting, fund administration, financial operations, and stewardship support for the Dalton State Foundation ("the Foundation") and its related entities. The position is responsible for monitoring and administering Foundation funds, ensuring compliance with donor intent and gift agreements, and Foundation policies and procedures. Responsibilities include reviewing and processing accounts payable, financial reporting, supporting audit activities, maintaining effective internal controls, and assisting in the stewardship of Foundation assets. The position applies accounting principles, analytical skills, sound judgement, and a strong service orientation to support the Foundation's fiduciary responsibilities and financial operations. The Foundation Fund Accountant reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement ("VP") and serves as the primary department financial contact for Dalton State College's Office of Fiscal Affairs and campus expense centers.

A complete application must include:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. List of three professional references: please include full name, job title, organization, phone number and email address, a brief description of relationship with reference. Include current and/or past employer.

Review of application will begin immediately. The position will remain open until filled.

Minimum hourly rate $22.31 based on education and experience.

Benefits Include:

• Healthcare options
• Retirement option: Teachers Retirement Systems (TRS)
• Tuition assistance
• $100 Well-being rewards
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Winter break (December holidays)
• USG Benefits

Responsibilities

Accounts Payable and Receivable - 30%
- Administers fund expense requests and serves as a steward of Foundation funds.
- Codes and reviews expense requests for accuracy, fund availability, compliance with donor intent and gift agreements, and Foundation policies and procedures.
- Records transactions in Financial Edge NXT ("FE-NXT"), coordinates payment processing via ACH payments or paper checks, establishes new vendors, prepares open invoice / cash requirements reports for VP approval, monitors cash requirements, and communicates with vendors and campus expense centers regarding disbursement-related matters for the Foundation and related entities.
- Supports administration of the Foundation credit card program by coding and reviewing expenditures for business purposes, policy compliance, proper documentation, and accurate accounting treatment. Researches discrepancies, resolves issues, and communicates with cardholders as needed.
- Communicates regularly with the VP regarding cash needs and funding requirements.
- Prepares and sends invoices or invoice requests to appropriate campus departments, including those related to scholarships, endowed faculty and staff positions, and Foundation related entities.
- Administers Blackbaud FE-NXT Expense Management set up and provides training to campus expense centers.

Accounting and Financial Reporting - 25%
- Completes annual Form 1099 reporting for all entities by reviewing vendor activity, analyzing transactions, validating classifications, and maintaining compliance with federal reporting requirements.
- Supports annual external audit and other compliance reviews by preparing documentation, responding to information requests, making post-audit entries, and maintaining audit-ready records in accordance with accounting standards and Foundation policies.
- Prepares weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting and financial reports including fund balance reports, budget-to-actual reports, internal financial statements, federal grant reports, and reports for related entities.
- Completes monthly bank reconciliation for VP approval.
- Provides guidance and information to Foundation staff and campus expense centers regarding Foundation related transactions and procedures.
- Identifies, recommends, develops, and implements process improvements that enhance operational efficiency, strengthen internal controls, improve reporting accuracy, and support effective fund administration.
- Sets up new fiscal year hard copy files and maintains files per document retention policy.
- Maintains and updates the Foundation Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual.
- Provides operational support to the VP, including preparation of accounting-and financial-related correspondence, reports, and communications for internal and external stakeholders.

Fund Management - 15%
- Prepares and posts journal entries.
- Reviews, calculates, and posts monthly investment portfolio activity upon VP approval.
- Calculates and assesses endowment administration fee to endowment funds upon VP approval.
- Produces annual endowment fund financial statements

Gift Administration - 15%
- Prepares and completes electronic deposits of incoming checks.
- Prepares and enters gift batches in RE-NXT.
- Prepares weekly credit card gift batch entry documentation.
- Validates and posts gift batches from RE-NXT to FE-NXT.

Budget Management - 10%
- Assists VP with budget development/monitoring including endowment fund calculations and overall budget import into FE-NXT.
- Generates and distributes twice-monthly budget-to-actual reports and fund balance reports to campus expense centers

Database Management - 10%
- Creates new account and fund or project ID records in Raisers Edge NXT (¿RE-NXT¿) and FE-NXT.
- Sets up new fiscal years in FE-NXT.
- Maintains data standards and adherence to Foundation policies and procedures.
- Performs FE-NXT updates and internal office training.

Performs a variety of related duties - 5%
- Performs other accounting, financial, fund management, and administrative duties as requested.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Other Required Qualifications
- More than three years of progressively responsible accounting or related financial experience.
- Proficiency in MS Office including Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency in Blackbaud's Financial Edge NXT environment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions within established policies, procedures, accounting principles, and regulatory requirements.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively with campus departments and internal and external constituents.
- Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while managing frequent interruptions and changing priorities.

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including principles applicable to fund or nonprofit accounting.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state requirements related to charitable giving, financial reporting, and accountability.
- Knowledge of college and departmental policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of budget development, monitoring, and financial management principles.

SKILLS
- Skill in maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive personal, financial, donor, and institutional information.
- Skill in reviewing and analyzing financial information and documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established requirements.
- Skill in gathering and analyzing data, drawing appropriate conclusions, preparing reports, and developing recommendations to support informed decision-making.
- Skill in organizing and prioritizing work while managing multiple responsibilities, deadlines, and changing priorities.
- Skill in problem-solving and resolving financial and transactional discrepancies.
- Skill in the use of computers, standard office equipment, and job-related software, including Microsoft Excel and financial management systems.
- Skill in interpersonal relations and in working effectively with donors, Foundation trustees, College employees, vendors, and other internal and external constituents.
- Skill in oral and written communication.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Dalton State College, as determined by Dalton State College in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Dalton State College, as determined by Dalton State College in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit