Director, Revenue Accounting and Special Projects

About The Kennedy Center

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As the nation's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts. 

Why Join Us

We offer a total rewards package to all full-time employees to include: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2024 staff video!

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $108,000 - $130,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate’s skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description

The Director of Revenue Accounting and Special Projects is responsible for recording and reconciling all areas of the Center’s contribution and grant revenue, endowment activity, box office sales and other earned revenues, auxiliary services, investments, fixed assets and debt. The individual will lead a team of accountants to record the revenues of the Kennedy Center (including affiliated/related entities) and other financial activity in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and other regulatory requirements as applicable to facilitate the organization’s internal and external reporting needs.

The Director of Revenue Accounting and Special Projects will support the preparation of the organization’s audited financial statements; the schedule of expenditures of Federal Awards; Forms 990 and 990T; financial reports to the Board of Trustees, donors or grantors; and periodic ad hoc reporting, research, and analysis for internal and external stakeholders. The individual will assist the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Accounting with the development of and conformity with corporate practices, policies and procedures in an effort to promote greater efficacy and transparency around the Center’s revenues.

This position will oversee the work of up to five direct reports and coordinate with others on the Finance Team in fulfillment of this key accounting function.  Additionally, the Director of Revenue Accounting and Special Projects will frequently collaborate and communicate with others outside the Finance Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the staff responsible for the Center’s contribution and box office accounting and reconciliation processes. Supervise the regular journal transfer from Tessitura of contribution and box office information into the Finance ERP.  Ensure proper controls are in place and operating effectively to record these revenues in compliance with GAAP and to meet management’s internal and external reporting needs.  Collect and organize documentation in support of the proper accounting for transactions.  Resolve all erroneous entries, open items, and reconciliation issues with relevant staff from the Development department in a timely manner, preferably within 30 days. Review and post regular journal entries and supervise preparation of staff reconciliations as a part of the monthly closing procedures.
• Oversee the monthly accounting of endowment and board designated funds including additions, spend, and changes in the share of endowment investment asset market values. Support administration of the spending policy in keeping with the Investment Policy Statement and Board action. Effectively and efficiently account for the investments of the endowment with external servicer providers, fiduciaries, and/or endowment software.  When required, review new endowment agreements for language, payment schedules, proposed restrictions, and feasibility issues. Track cash due to and from the endowment, and project changes in months ahead.  Perform routine analysis, including calculations, budgets, and projections. Work with programmers to identify activities that meet restricted revenue purposes.
• Oversee federal and private grant accounting and reporting function staffed by the Senior Grants Accounting Manager who review charges against the grant for allowable and unallowable costs, track the Federal source for allowable costs, work with Programming and Development personnel during pre-Award, Award, Implementation, and Close out phases of the Grant Cycle, maintain the organization’s Grants Administration Architecture (SAM, G5, Grants.gov, etc.), and lead the institution’s annual Indirect Cost Recovery Rate negotiation process.
• Oversee compliance with the Center’s capitalization policy, maintenance of fixed asset and depreciation subsidiary ledgers, evaluation of repairs and maintenance expense, and support FP&A’s efforts to create and stand up a capital budget.  Manage debt activity and amortization schedules, to include recording all related financial transactions and preparing financial reports. Ensure compliance with all debt related reporting requirements and covenants. Manage compliance with the Treasury Collateral Management and Monitoring regulations and reporting requirements.
• Lead the Revenues and Special Projects team with and contribute to the annual financial statement preparation and audit, the uniform guidance audit (compliance with Federal regulations), and preparation of the Center’s and its affiliates’ Forms 990 and 990T; financial reports to management, the Board of Trustees, donors or grantors; and periodic ad hoc reporting, research, and analysis for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop revenue recognition and capitalization policies and procedures and train staff on the above functions as needed. Determine the most optimal methods and procedures on new assignments and coordinate the work of senior accountants or staff accountants as directed by Finance leadership. Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or an active CPA license is required.
• Experience: At least 10 years of private or 5 – 7 years of public not-for-profit accounting experience with 5 – 10 years of progressive experience with contributions, endowments, grant compliance, restricted net assets, and tax preparation required.  Performing arts industry experience is a plus.
• Critical skills: Strong Excel and other Microsoft Office/Teams experience. Good written-oral communication and interpersonal skills; proficiency in use of general ledger applications.
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided. 
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.