Position Summary The Staff Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate and complete accounting records for assigned programs and financial activities, with primary responsibility for YouthBuild accounting, notes receivable, home sales, and assigned account reconciliations. The position supports the Finance Department’s monthly closing and financial reporting processes by reviewing account activity, researching discrepancies, preparing supporting schedules, and ensuring transactions are recorded accurately and timely. The Staff Accountant is also expected to take an active role in improving Finance Department operations by evaluating existing processes, identifying efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities, strengthening internal controls, and developing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs). This includes analyzing financial products, vendors, payment methods, and recurring processes to recommend improvements that reduce costs or increase organizational value. This position requires strong accounting, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned areas. Additional accounting functions, projects, and responsibilities will be delegated as the employee demonstrates proficiency and as the needs of the Finance Department evolve.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities YouthBuild Accounting
- Maintain complete and accurate accounting records for YouthBuild.
- Record and review YouthBuild revenues, expenses, receivables, cash activity, and intercompany or due-to/due-from transactions.
- Prepare monthly account reconciliations and supporting schedules.
- Monitor expenses for proper coding, allocation, and supporting documentation.
- Prepare financial statements and assist with YouthBuild budget-to-actual reporting and explain significant variances.
- Coordinate with YouthBuild staff to obtain invoices, payroll information, approvals, and other required documentation.
- Support grant reimbursement requests, financial reports, audits, and monitoring reviews related to YouthBuild.
Notes Receivable
- Maintain the organization’s notes receivable subsidiary ledger.
- Record new notes, payments, interest, adjustments, and other account activity.
- Reconcile notes receivable balances to the general ledger each month.
- Research and resolve differences between loan records, payment histories, and general ledger balances.
- Prepare monthly notes receivable schedules and management reports.
- Coordinate with lending, servicing, and program staff to ensure loan activity is recorded accurately and timely.
Home Sales
- Maintain accounting records for all home sales, including posting the general ledger entries to match the operating account activity.
- Review closing statements and supporting documents to ensure each sale is recorded correctly.
- Record sales proceeds, receivables, closing costs, inventory reductions, construction costs, subsidies, and other related transactions.
- Reconcile home sale activity to closing documents, cash receipts, inventory records, and the general ledger.
- Maintain an organized accounting file for each home sale.
- Coordinate with development, lending, and program staff to resolve missing or inconsistent information.
- Prepare home sale schedules and reports for management, auditors, and other stakeholders.
Reconciliations and Monthly Close
- Prepare assigned bank, cash, receivable, liability, intercompany, and general ledger account reconciliations each month.
- Investigate and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
- Prepare and post journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation.
- Review assigned accounts for unusual balances, duplicate transactions, coding errors, and other discrepancies.
- Assist with the monthly and year-end closing processes.
- Prepare supporting schedules for financial statements, audits, tax filings, and management reporting.
- Ensure accounting records and supporting documentation are complete, accurate, and properly organized.
Process Improvement and Internal Controls
- Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assigned accounting and Finance Department processes.
- Review existing procedures and recommend changes to improve efficiency, accuracy, consistency, and internal controls.
- Ensure SOPs are updated as systems, responsibilities, regulations, or departmental processes change.
- Work with other Finance Department staff to standardize recurring accounting processes and establish clear documentation, responsibilities, and review procedures.
- Review accounting workflows and identify opportunities to improve accuracy, consistency, documentation, and efficiency.
- Proactively identify and evaluate cost-saving opportunities within the Finance Department and across organizational financial processes.
- Review financial products, services, vendors, and payment methods to identify opportunities to reduce costs, increase rebates or cash-back rewards, and improve overall financial efficiency.
- Lead or assist with implementation of approved cost-saving and efficiency initiatives, including evaluating alternatives and monitoring realized savings.
- Periodically review organizational credit card and purchasing processes, including card programs, rewards, cash-back opportunities, fees, controls, and administrative efficiency, and recommend improvements when appropriate.
- Help develop and maintain accounting procedures, checklists, reconciliation templates, and closing schedules.
- Recommend improvements to internal controls and segregation of duties.
- Assist with the standardization and automation of recurring accounting processes.
- Work with Finance Department staff to improve the flow of information between accounting, lending, development, property management, and program operations.
- Assist with accounting system implementations, upgrades, conversions, and related process changes.
- Take on additional accounting responsibilities as proficiency is demonstrated and departmental needs evolve.
General Responsibilities
- Respond to requests for financial information from management, auditors, program staff, and external partners.
- Assist Finance Department staff with accounting system questions and special projects.
- Maintain confidentiality of financial, employee, borrower, and organizational information.
- Follow established accounting procedures and applicable internal controls.
- Meet recurring monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting deadlines.
- Perform other duties and assume additional accounting responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to complete each essential duty accurately and satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the position.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field preferred.
- An associate degree in accounting or a related field, combined with relevant accounting experience, may be considered.
- At least two years of bookkeeping, general ledger, staff accounting, or related financial experience preferred.
- Experience with nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, loan accounting, grant accounting, construction accounting, or home sales is beneficial.
- An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
Accounting Knowledge
- Strong understanding of general accounting principles.
- Experience preparing account reconciliations and journal entries.
- Ability to maintain subsidiary ledgers and reconcile them to the general ledger.
- Understanding of accounts receivable, notes receivable, cash transactions, and month-end closing procedures.
- Ability to review financial transactions and supporting documents for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification.
- Familiarity with internal controls and accounting process documentation.
Analytical and Reasoning Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to identify discrepancies, investigate their causes, and recommend appropriate corrections.
- Ability to analyze account activity and recognize unusual or inconsistent transactions.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to organize and manage multiple recurring deadlines.
- Ability to work independently while recognizing when an issue should be escalated.
- Willingness and ability to learn new accounting functions and accept additional responsibilities over time.
Technology Skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and reconciliation schedules.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other Microsoft 365 applications.
- Experience with MIP Fund Accounting, QuickBooks, Yardi, or similar accounting systems is preferred.
- Ability to learn and use additional accounting, lending, and reporting systems.
- Experience improving or automating accounting processes is preferred.
Communication Skills
- Ability to communicate accounting information clearly to both financial and nonfinancial staff.
- Ability to prepare organized financial reports, schedules, and written explanations.
- Ability to request missing documentation and follow up professionally.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff across multiple departments and programs.
Core Competencies
- Accounting proficiency
- Financial analysis
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Account reconciliation
- Problem-solving
- Process improvement
- Internal control awareness
- Organization and time management
- Professional judgment
- Confidentiality
- Adaptability
- Continuous learning
Work Environment This position generally operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment, computers, accounting systems, and telephones. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Physical Requirements The employee must be able to communicate effectively, work at a computer for extended periods, and perform frequent keyboarding and document review. The employee may occasionally be required to move or organize accounting records and files. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Acknowledgment This job description summarizes the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every duty. Responsibilities may be added, removed, or modified based on organizational needs, the employee’s demonstrated capabilities, and the evolving responsibilities of the Finance Department.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary – $48,000 - $50,000 (Based on Experience)
- Bonus – 10% Based on production goals met
- 100% of premium for health, vision and dental benefits paid by cdcb.
- Life Insurance
- 401K retirement plan (no match required)
- 16 paid holidays
- Vacation Days - Based on Length of Service
- Personal Days - Based on Length of Service
- FLSA Status: Exempt
