What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant position at The New York Racing Association?
Basic Responsibilities:
The Senior Accountant plays a critical role in preparing and analyzing financial statements in a timely fashion; reports to the Assistant Controller and works closely with the Controller and other members of NYRA’s finance team.
The Senior Accountant is expected to perform their essential functions exercising independent judgement, exemplary time management skills, collaboration with key members of the finance team and other departments and incorporate NYRA’s shared values and supporting behaviors.
The Senior Accountant should be an articulate communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment, effectively communicates both verbally and in writing, and proactively makes recommendations on process improvements for better efficiency and accuracy.
Essential Functions:
- Independently analyze transactions originating both inside and outside of the accounting general ledger to ensure proper accounting treatment, classification, completeness, and cutoff, which has a direct impact on NYRA’s financial reporting at all levels
- Prepare meaningful and precise variance analysis on assigned departmental P&Ls against prior periods and budget, which encompasses “telling the story” of the business operations from a financial perspective
- Actively participate in monthly close process including preparation and recording of adjusting journal entries for assigned departments and the ability to acclimate to new assignments as needed to cross train and cover open positions
- Independently maintain and reconcile monthly assigned balance sheet accounts, including investigation and resolution of discrepancies, utilizing an audit approach, by the deadline
- Actively speak with key departmental personnel on assigned areas to understand the business operations “behind the numbers” in order to be an asset that bridges the Finance Team with NYRA’s Business Units
- Act as the subject matter expert for assigned departments, including contractual obligations, major vendor obligations, and analysis of labor and benefits
- Ability to research technical issues as they arise and report findings and conclude on appropriate accounting process/procedure to be adopted
· Perform special projects and tasks as needed
- Initiate the discussion for change to current processes to better support the financial statements and aid in automation
- Assist in external audit including preparation of footnote disclosures and preparing support for auditor’s PBC lists.
Specialized Functions:
- Perform various duties as the liaison between accounting and payroll to ensure proper accounting of payroll transactions including capitalization of labor and union related nuances.
- Act as the finance department expert in the capitalization policy and work with the Capital Projects team to ensure proper accounting including independently assessing transactions against the capitalization policy
Minimum Requirements:
Education (minimum): Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
- Experience: CPA is preferred; Minimum of two years of experience at a strong (ideally a “Big 4”) accounting firm and experience in corporate accounting is a plus. Strong understanding of accrual accounting principles, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Governmental Accounting Standards
Other Requirements: Ability to independently meet strict deadlines and deliverables
- Analytical thinker with the ability to look above and beyond accounting mechanics and provide meaningful analyses for assigned accounts
- Take initiative and drive special projects forward through completion
Knowledge Required:
- Detail oriented and organized work habits;
- Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external customers and vendors to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving and results;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, a team player and diplomatic when giving feedback or seeking information, even under demanding deadlines; values being part of a culturally diverse workforce;
- Determination and willingness to see projects through to completion;
- Comfortable with financial systems including Great Plains, Management Reporter and other information systems.
Note: This is a hybrid role which requires 2-3 days per week in the office in Queens. The salary range is $85,000 to $93,000.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.