The Mark Morris Dance Group seeks a full time Accountant to play a vital role providing leadership for a newly expanded 4-person Finance Department. With a current annual operating budget of $8.5 million the organization operates the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY, home to the internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group and MMDG’s Education and Community Engagement Programs. The Accountant will join the organization at a pivotal moment as the Dance Group reimagines how we operate, further embodies our core values, and welcomes back our community.

The Accountant is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day accounting activities ensuring complete and accurate recording of transactions in the general ledger and prompt reconciliations; monitoring pledge and receivable collections; processing accounts payable; supervising the Bursar and Finance Assistant; and working with the auditors ensuring overall compliance with accounting/tax pronouncements. The ideal candidate will be a proactive, hands-on forward-thinking leader who, in partnership with the CFO and Finance and Budget Manager, will have responsibility for all aspects of the finance function.

The successful candidate will join a community of dedicated arts and administrative professionals who are propelled by Mark Morris's commitment to artistic excellence, access to the arts, and the impact that the arts have in connecting and engaging communities. MMDG is committed to ongoing and sustained equity and inclusion work. All staff are expected to be actively engaged and dedicated to upholding our core values of celebrating our diverse community, pursuing excellence in all that we do, advancing access, exposure, and opportunity to dance and music, and cultivating creativity. Learn more about MMDG's commitment to antiracism and our core values.

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

General Ledger 

• Ensure that all financial data is recorded in an accurate and timely manner in compliance with GAAP; Maintain required accounting controls; Uphold financial policies and procedures and ensure staff compliance
• Reconcile monthly bank statements and balance sheet accounts; maintain appropriate back-up documentation
• Review and approve all journal entries & reconciliations entered by the Bursar/Finance Assistant

Accounts Payable

• Process timely payment disbursements to vendors; act as primary accounting liaison to all vendors; review invoice and check requests to ensure proper coding and authorization, follow up with staff and vendors to resolve discrepancies; monthly reconciliation of A/P
• Review all corporate credit card reconciliations and business expense reimbursement forms to ensure adherence to the MMDG’s Expense Reimbursement Policy.

Accounts Receivable 

• Oversee all aspects of accounts receivable and receipts; track revenue from performance fees, commissions, and royalty contracts; generate invoices; timely deposit of all incoming funds; monthly reconciliation of A/R
• Ensure the appropriate recording of pledge and cash receipts, and reconciliation with development department records and fundraising software (Raiser’s Edge)
• Supervise Bursar/Finance Assistant whose primary responsibility is to manage the invoicing and receiving of all revenue for MMDG’s Education and Community Engagement programs which encompasses off-site community programs and Dance Center activities including The School, Adult Programs, Space Rentals, and the Dance for PD^® program

Reporting and Compliance 

• Develop, implement and maintain required accounting practices, appropriate internal financial controls and other compliance documents to safeguard the assets of the organization and ensure the integrity of processes, financial data, and grant reporting
• Support the preparation of monthly, quarterly and year-end financial statements and accompanying schedules
• Support the timely preparation, review and submission of financial reporting requirements to government, foundation, and financial institutions
• Support relevant aspects of the annual audit with external auditors such as preparing schedules and confirmation letters for timely completion of the Financial Audit and Form 990 tax filing

Administration 

• Maintain a system of orderly accounting files and records - digitally and physically 
• Use technologies to automate workflow and streamline department and institutional processes
• Maintenance of accounting programs, including the interoperability of sub-ledger systems such as Ascentis Payroll, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Financial Edge NXT, and POS platforms (Active, Mindbody, EMS, Counterpoint, Big Commerce)
• Identify process inefficiencies within the Finance department, if present, and recommend improvements

SCHEDULE: This is a full-time exempt 40 hour per week position; Monday - Friday, flexible schedule, on-site most days

You will be successful in this role if you:

• Consider yourself to be a “power user” of accounting software
• Are a forward-thinking leader and administrator, with the ability to ensure and maintain the accuracy and integrity of the Dance Group’s financial operations while being flexible amidst continuous growth and change 
• Possess the ability and perspective to evaluate and implement opportunities for improvements and efficiencies in financial administration, reporting, and analysis
• Are someone with initiative, creativity, energy, and a sense of humor, who enjoys working as a team player to reach shared departmental and organizational goals 
• Have a deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access and are inspired by Mark Morris’ work and our programs

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4-6 years of accounting experience; Associates/Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or equivalent
• Have a strong knowledge of accounting principles pertaining to not-for-profit entities
• Supervisory experience required
• Ability to work on a variety of tasks simultaneously, to establish effective timelines for accomplishing long-range goals, and to complete tasks on a timely basis.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Accuracy and rigorous attention to detail
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Advanced Excel
• Knowledge of accounting software applications required; familiarity with Blackbaud Financial Edge is a plus
• Compliance with MMDG COVID-19 Safety Plan and Vaccination Policy

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: General mobility in office areas. Ability to operate data processing and other office equipment. Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Annual Salary: $55,000 - $63,000
• Paid vacation, sick/personal leave, holidays and bonus days
• Comprehensive benefits package includes Employee Health and Life insurance covered 100%, Flexible Spending Plan, Voluntary vision and dental coverage, Pre-tax commuter benefit, 403(b) retirement plan, and 100% paid family leave
• Access to special events and MMDG performances (when available)
• Access to free and discounted classes at the Dance Center and online

• Invitations to cultural events extended to staff members by community partners.

APPLICATIONS:

• Applications accepted through our website (portal opens 08/17)  
• Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.
• Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• You will be asked to submit the following as part of your online application:
  • 1-page Cover Letter addressed to Elizabeth Fox, Chief Financial Officer    
  • Complete résumé highlighting relevant experience.
• The cover letter should include answers to each of the following questions:
• Why are you interested in working at the Mark Morris Dance Group?
• The Accountant must be able to work accurately and efficiently under hard deadlines while also juggling last minute requests and information. How have you exhibited this skill in your life experience?
• MMDG is a values-driven organization; please review our core values of Community, Excellence, Creativity, and Access and discuss two instances in your professional career where you have demonstrated at least two of them.

DEADLINE:

• The position is open until filled.
• Please note that some interviews will be conducted by video using the Zoom (https://zoom.us/) video communications application. Please download the application in advance and have a functioning camera and speaker on your device. MMDG can also provide candidates with reasonable accommodations, if needed.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status. It is the policy of MMDG to comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). MMDG does not discriminate against any qualified employees or job applicants with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment because of a person’s physical or mental disability. MMDG makes reasonable accommodation wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

The internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) has received “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity.” (Bloomberg News). Founded in 1980, the Dance Group performs the repertory of choreographer Mark Morris, hailed as the “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (The New York Times), whose work is acclaimed for its ingenuity, musicality, wit, and humanity. Live music and community engagement are vital components of the Dance Group. It has toured with its own musicians, the MMDG Music Ensemble, since 1996, and regularly collaborates with orchestras and opera companies around the world. In addition to 16 full-time dancers, the organization currently employs 34 full-time staff and 75 part-time staff, teaching artists, and musicians.

In the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, the Mark Morris Dance Center, founded in 2001, is the hub of dance and music education in Brooklyn. The nine-studio building provides affordable classes in multiple genres for people of all ages, levels, with and without disabilities, accompanied by live music. The studios, a performance space, a Wellness Center, and ancillary spaces are all available to the community and to nonprofit organizations at subsidized rates. MMDG’s Education and Community Engagement Programs partner with public and private schools and community centers to provide customized classes. MMDG also offers customized dance workshops for persons with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers in 10 locations in all 5 boroughs.

MMDG programs in NYC and worldwide engage over 100,000 people annually. Propelled by core values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, MMDG is committed to ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion work to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.