Accounting Specialist

About the Organization

United Way of Greater Kansas City unites donors, volunteers, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders to help change the lives of those in need. We serve the six-county metropolitan area, partnering with 145 agencies and serving over 25,000 donors. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Greater Kansas City, focusing on health, education, and financial stability for every person in the community.

About the Role

The Accounting Specialist will support the Director of Finance and Accounting Services by assisting with a wide range of financial operations, including accounts payable, banking, accounting services, and maintaining operational excellence. This role is ideal for a proactive individual with strong attention to detail, the ability to work independently, and a collaborative mindset. Adaptability to evolving processes in a fast-paced environment is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Accounts Payable: Serve as a backup for the Accounts Payable Specialist, processing and paying accounts payable invoices as assigned.
• Banking:
  • Serve as backup for the Accounts Payable Specialist in completing daily cash management processes.
  • Reconcile corporate purchasing card expenses, including obtaining proper approvals, preparing journal entries, and ensuring accuracy in the general ledger.
  • Reconcile and record monthly Amazon Business and American Express activity, ensuring transactions are properly documented and approved, and prepare general ledger entries.
  • Perform monthly bank account reconciliations for all checking, savings, and investment accounts to the general ledger.
• Accounting Services:
  • Process employee expense reimbursements, including obtaining proper approvals, ensuring proper account coding, and recording in the general ledger.
  • Process daily journal entries for Salesforce transactions, ensuring accurate coding and reconciliation between the general ledger and Salesforce.
  • Prepare and post routine adjusting journal entries, including deferred revenue, prepaid expenses, bad debt, designations, indirect costs, lease amortizations, and other assigned entries.
  • Assist the Director of Finance and Accounting Services in monthly general ledger reconciliations by researching and resolving questions related to adjusting journal entries.
  • Maintain data accuracy and ensure integrity in the accounting system.
  • Collaborate on year-end reporting and assist with annual audit requests as assigned.
• Operational Excellence:
  • Support departmental success with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
  • Provide excellent customer service and maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years of work experience in accounting or finance.
• Basic understanding of accounting principles (GAAP) and the ability to apply them to real-world situations.
• Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail and flexibility in handling multiple tasks.
• Proficiency in accounting software, with strong problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills.

Metrics of Success

• Accurate and timely reconciliations of cash and balance sheet accounts.
• High employee compliance and satisfaction with credit card and reimbursement management.
• Consistency between Accounting and CRM systems for optimal real-time financial reporting.