Staff Accountant
Position Summary
The Staff Accountant plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of the organization's financial operations. This position is responsible for supporting the monthly close process, account reconciliations, budget management, financial reporting, grant and program billing, and audit preparation. The Staff Accountant collaborates closely with program staff, finance team members, and leadership to maintain strong internal controls, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote sound financial management practices across the organization. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and committed to maintaining accurate financial records while supporting compliance with organizational policies, funding requirements, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and applicable regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
- General Accounting & Month-End Close
- Prepare and complete weekly and monthly balance sheet account reconciliations, ensuring transactions are properly recorded and discrepancies are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
- Participate in the month-end and year-end close processes, including gathering occupancy documentation, preparing cost allocations, posting journal entries, and ensuring the completeness and accuracy of financial data.
- Assist in maintaining the general ledger and supporting schedules to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Monitor financial transactions for compliance with accounting policies and internal control procedures.
- Financial Reporting
- Prepare financial statements, balance sheets, income and expense reports, cash flow analyses, and other supporting schedules for management review.
- Analyze financial data and identify trends, variances, or potential issues requiring attention.
- Assist with preparing reports for internal stakeholders, management, funding sources, and regulatory agencies as required.
- Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Enter, maintain, and update budgets within Blackbaud and other financial systems as necessary.
- Support the development, monitoring, and maintenance of budgets and budgetary controls.
- Collaborate with finance staff and program leadership to review budget performance and identify significant variances.
- Assist with financial forecasting and budget analysis activities.
- Billing & Revenue Management
- Prepare and distribute monthly invoices for a variety of programs and funding sources.
- Review billing documentation with program staff to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with contractual and grant requirements.
- Assist in monitoring accounts receivable activity and serve as backup support for Accounts Receivable functions as needed.
- Compliance & Internal Controls
- Support compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, funding agreements, GAAP, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Participate in daily fiscal operations at a level sufficient to maintain appropriate segregation of duties and strengthen internal financial controls.
- Review fuel assistance program (FAP) checks and related documentation prior to release to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established procedures.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, strengthen controls, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with finance staff and systems users to improve financial workflows and support ongoing system enhancements.
- Audit & Monitoring Support
- Assist in preparing schedules, reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for annual financial audits.
- Gather and organize documentation required for grant monitoring, program reviews, compliance examinations, and regulatory audits.
- Maintain organized financial records that support audit readiness and transparency.
- Respond to auditor and monitor requests in a timely and professional manner.
- Team Support
- Work collaboratively with program staff and finance team members to ensure accurate financial information and effective communication.
- Provide backup support for critical accounting and fiscal functions as assigned.
- Participate in special projects, system implementations, and process improvement initiatives.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, and reconciliation processes.
- Understanding of internal controls, compliance requirements, and segregation of duties concepts.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- 2-5 years of accounting experience, preferably within a nonprofit, healthcare, or grant-funded environment.
- Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge or similar accounting systems.
- Knowledge of grant accounting, program billing, and audit preparation.