Accountant, Senior
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
Position Description
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Senior Accountant to support core accounting operations and financial reporting for the Laboratory. The role ensures accuracy, compliance with GAAP and Uniform Guidance, and alignment with institutional policies. The Senior Accountant plays a key role in monthly and year-end close processes, audit coordination, financial systems improvements, and financial analysis that supports institutional decision‑making. This position works closely with Budget, Grants, Payroll, Treasury, and operational teams to strengthen financial processes and reporting.
Position Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Close Management
Prepare and support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules
Participate in month‑end and year‑end close processes
Analyze financial variances and recommend improvements to reporting accuracy and efficiency
Audit Coordination & Compliance
Coordinate preparation for annual financial statement audits and Uniform Guidance audits
Prepare audit schedules and required documentation
Ensure compliance with GAAP, federal grant requirements, and institutional policies
Institutional & Technical Accounting
Support preparation of regulatory filings, including Form 990
Assist with indirect cost proposals and fringe benefit rate calculations
Research and document technical accounting issues and recommend appropriate treatment
Maintain and improve accounting policies and procedures
Assist with implementation of new accounting standards
Systems & Process Improvement
Support financial systems enhancements and ERP initiatives (including Workday implementation and stabilization)
Identify opportunities to streamline close processes and strengthen internal controls
Partner with Finance leadership to improve reporting workflows and automation
Assist with system testing and validation
Staff Support & Collaboration
Provide guidance and review support to accounting staff
Assist with training on accounting procedures and systems
Collaborate across departments to improve financial data accuracy and consistency
Support special projects and institutional finance initiatives
Position Requirements
Education
Must hold a bachelor’s degree
Experience
Minimum of three or more years of accounting experience, preferably managing or auditing non‑profit organizations
Knowledge/Skills
Strong knowledge of GAAP, including financial statement preparation, reconciliations, and internal control principles
Demonstrated experience supporting monthly and year‑end close processes, including preparation and review of journal entries and balance sheet account reconciliations
Experience coordinating external financial statement audits and Uniform Guidance audits, including preparation of audit schedules and interaction with auditors
Ability to research and apply technical accounting guidance, including documenting accounting positions and supporting implementation of new accounting standards
Familiarity with nonprofit accounting practices, including net asset classifications, indirect cost recovery concepts, and regulatory reporting requirements such as Form 990
Experience working within ERP financial systems (Lawson, Workday, or similar), including supporting system enhancements, testing activities, and reporting improvements
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including working with large datasets, reconciliations, and analytical modeling
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
Demonstrated ability to evaluate accounting workflows and recommend process improvements and internal control enhancements
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly to both finance and non‑finance stakeholders
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $80,000–$100,000 annually
Competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, wellness programs, and other recognition programs
CSHL is an EO Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Senior Accountant to support core accounting operations and financial reporting for the Laboratory. The role ensures accuracy, compliance with GAAP and Uniform Guidance, and alignment with institutional policies. The Senior Accountant plays a key role in monthly and year-end close processes, audit coordination, financial systems improvements, and financial analysis that supports institutional decision‑making. This position works closely with Budget, Grants, Payroll, Treasury, and operational teams to strengthen financial processes and reporting.
Position Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Close Management
Prepare and support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules
Participate in month‑end and year‑end close processes
Analyze financial variances and recommend improvements to reporting accuracy and efficiency
Audit Coordination & Compliance
Coordinate preparation for annual financial statement audits and Uniform Guidance audits
Prepare audit schedules and required documentation
Ensure compliance with GAAP, federal grant requirements, and institutional policies
Institutional & Technical Accounting
Support preparation of regulatory filings, including Form 990
Assist with indirect cost proposals and fringe benefit rate calculations
Research and document technical accounting issues and recommend appropriate treatment
Maintain and improve accounting policies and procedures
Assist with implementation of new accounting standards
Systems & Process Improvement
Support financial systems enhancements and ERP initiatives (including Workday implementation and stabilization)
Identify opportunities to streamline close processes and strengthen internal controls
Partner with Finance leadership to improve reporting workflows and automation
Assist with system testing and validation
Staff Support & Collaboration
Provide guidance and review support to accounting staff
Assist with training on accounting procedures and systems
Collaborate across departments to improve financial data accuracy and consistency
Support special projects and institutional finance initiatives
Position Requirements
Education
Must hold a bachelor’s degree
Experience
Minimum of three or more years of accounting experience, preferably managing or auditing non‑profit organizations
Knowledge/Skills
Strong knowledge of GAAP, including financial statement preparation, reconciliations, and internal control principles
Demonstrated experience supporting monthly and year‑end close processes, including preparation and review of journal entries and balance sheet account reconciliations
Experience coordinating external financial statement audits and Uniform Guidance audits, including preparation of audit schedules and interaction with auditors
Ability to research and apply technical accounting guidance, including documenting accounting positions and supporting implementation of new accounting standards
Familiarity with nonprofit accounting practices, including net asset classifications, indirect cost recovery concepts, and regulatory reporting requirements such as Form 990
Experience working within ERP financial systems (Lawson, Workday, or similar), including supporting system enhancements, testing activities, and reporting improvements
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including working with large datasets, reconciliations, and analytical modeling
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
Demonstrated ability to evaluate accounting workflows and recommend process improvements and internal control enhancements
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly to both finance and non‑finance stakeholders
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $80,000–$100,000 annually
Competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, wellness programs, and other recognition programs
CSHL is an EO Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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