Accounting Specialist

About the role

The Accounting Specialist supports the day-to-day financial operations of The Happier Life Project by maintaining accurate financial records, processing accounts payable, preparing reconciliations, supporting grant and contract billing, assisting with month-end and year-end close activities, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and funding requirements.

Responsibilities

• Accounts Payable & Vendor Management
• Review invoices for accuracy, completeness, supporting documentation, and required approvals
• Enter invoices into the accounting system and ensure timely processing
• Verify coding to appropriate general ledger accounts, departments, grants, contracts, and funding sources
• Prepare weekly payment batches, including ACH payments, checks, wire transfers, and vendor portal payments
• Maintain vendor records, including W-9s, payment information, contracts, and supporting documentation
• Respond to vendor inquiries and resolve payment discrepancies
• General Accounting
• Prepare journal entries and supporting documentation
• Reconcile bank accounts, credit cards, prepaid expenses, accruals, fixed assets, and assigned balance sheet accounts
• Maintain supporting schedules for assigned accounts
• Investigate discrepancies and prepare corrective entries as needed
• Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for annual audits and financial reviews
• Maintain organized financial records and audit-ready documentation throughout the year
• Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls
• Cash Receipts & Revenue Tracking
• Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls
• Grant & Contract Accounting
• Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls
• Support preparation of financial reports, budget-to-actual analyses, and financial schedules
• Support preparation of financial information required by funders and government agencies
• Communicate, Coordinate
• Coordinate with program managers regarding expenditures, budget activity, reimbursement requests, and financial documentation
• Communicate professionally with vendors, contractors, funders, auditors, and external stakeholders
• Support leadership by providing financial reports, schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation as requested
• Promote collaboration between finance, operations, and program teams
• Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered
• Minimum three years of accounting, bookkeeping, accounts payable, grant accounting, nonprofit accounting, or related financial experience, including tracking expenditures across multiple funding sources, grants, contracts, or cost centers
• Strong understanding of general accounting principles and financial reporting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines and manage multiple responsibilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Experience working in a nonprofit organization
• Experience with government-funded grants and reimbursement-based contracts
• Experience with QuickBooks Online, MIP, Sage Intacct, or similar accounting systems
• Experience supporting annual audits and financial statement preparation
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles, grant compliance, and restricted funding

Benefits

This position is classified as Non-Exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with applicable California wage and hour laws.

Pay

$32.00 - $38.00 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Schedule

Hybrid / Lake Elsinore