Senior Accounting Manager

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 America's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across the United States and around the world, connecting the greatest living artists with audiences of every stripe, no matter their background. We welcome all Americans and creators and visitors from across the globe to discover, experience, learn about, be inspired by, 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
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $110,000 - $120,000, 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 Accounts Payable function is embedded in the Accounting Operations area of the Finance Department of the Kennedy Center. It reports to the Director of Accounting Operations and serves the payables-related needs of buyers and employees across the Center. Additionally, the Accounts Payable function safeguards Center funds through compliance with relevant policies and completes important compliance tasks. The Accounts Payable function includes this role, an Accounts Payable Manager, two Accounts Payable Clerks, and temporary staff. The Accounts Payable department is a fast-paced, high-volume (between 100-200 payments a week), and complex work environment which settles non-payroll related liabilities on a weekly basis. The Accounts Payable function of the Kennedy Center supports incredibly talented staff with some of the most exciting initiatives of the Center, many of which find their way on stage.

The Senior Accounting Manager, working closely with the Director, Accounting Operations, will primarily be responsible for the personnel, systems, and activities of the accounts payable function at the Kennedy Center. This position will also be expected to approve general journal entries prepared by Accounting Operations and Accounts Payable staff and prepare account reconciliations for payables-related general ledger accounts.

The Senior Accounting Manager will work closely with the Accounts Payable staff to ensure timely and accurate processing of invoices and payments, upkeep of open purchase orders, compliance with tax reporting requirements, and adherence to company policies involving accounts payable, company credit cards and employee reimbursements. The Senior Accounting Manager will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the systems used in association with the above business processes, including maintenance of departmental approval processes, trouble-shooting transactions with errors, and ensuring a high-level of customer service to buyers and vendors using the system.

The Senior Accounting Manager will provide training and guidance to other operating departments in support of the decentralized purchase order and invoice entry system.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Accounts Payable: Oversee the day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month function of the Accounts Payable department ensuring a high-level of internal and external customer service, accurate and timely processing of payables-related transactions, and maintenance of systems in support of the function. The Senior Accounting Manager will set goals for the team to reduce processing errors and delays, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency.
• Accounts Payable Systems Administration: Assume responsibility for the accurate maintenance of the Center's accounts payable related systems: procure to pay system, employee reimbursement system, and Center credit card program. As administrator, this position will oversee approval hierarchy setup and changes across all systems, be responsible for clearing support tickets associated with each program, ensure integration with Finance ERP system, and reporting. Other important maintenance tasks include: vendor onboarding and updates, open purchase orders, contract database management, process and policy documentation, and process improvement. The position will work with other persons in Information Technology in fulfillment of this important task.
• General Ledger Maintenance: Assume responsibility for the accurate maintenance of general and subsidiary accounts/ledgers for all payables-related accounts. Reconcile and report such information in keeping with monthly closing deadlines. These include accounts payable aging's, payables-related clearing accounts, open purchase orders, and support of monthly bank account reconciliations performed by Accounting Operations staff. Oversight includes preparing/reviewing/posting journal entries; preparing/reviewing reconciliations; and ensuring all are done in a timely manner.
• Compliance Initiatives: Lead the Center's compliance efforts related to the 1042 and 1099 reporting. This effort requires on-going maintenance in addition to annual reporting to the IRS. Assume responsibility for and delegation of payables-related information needed to file the Center's annual Form 990 and related schedules. Oversee and delegate yearly project tasks for the annual audit including the preparation of financial statement schedules and foot notes. Prepare regulatory and compliance documents including, but not limited to, the form 990 schedules, BEA Analysis, Cultural Data Project.
• Training and Organization-wide support: Provide training and guidance to support a decentralized purchase order and invoice entry process both as part of a transition to a new procure-to-pay (P2P) system and then ongoing as a subject matter expert.
• Other: (a) Act as back-up and provide periodic coverage for the Accounts Payable supervisor and the Director, Accounting Operations (b) Suggest improvements in processes to increase effectiveness and compliance as well as assist with any procedural changes as they arise; (c) Special Projects and other duties as assigned; (d) Maintain accurate process documentation; and (e) Manage records retention process for accounting files.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• CPA certification is a strong asset.

Experience Requirements

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance, with a focus on accounts payable.
• 3-5 years in a supervisory or managerial role, overseeing AP teams or accounting operations.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Sage Intacct) and expense management platforms like Concur.
• Prior involvement in audit preparation, compliance reporting, and financial statement support.

Technical Accounting & Compliance

• Deep understanding of GAAP and internal controls related to payables.
• Knowledge of IRS reporting requirements (Forms 1099, 1042, 990).
• Experience with reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close processes.

Systems & Process Management

• Proficiency in accounts payable automation tools and workflow management systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot system errors, maintain approval hierarchies, and support ERP transitions.
• Familiarity with vendor management, purchase order systems, and credit card reconciliation.

Leadership & Communication

• Strong team leadership and staff development skills.
• Ability to train cross-functional teams on decentralized invoice and PO processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, especially for compliance documentation and audit coordination.

Additional Requirements

• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided.
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.