Senior Staff Accountant
2 days ago
Sparks
Job Description Senior Staff Accountant Department: Finance and Accounting Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) FLSA Classification: Exempt Employment Status: Full-Time Supervisory Responsibilities: None, unless assigned Position Classification: Exempt Professional POSITION SUMMARY The Senior Staff Accountant is responsible for performing and overseeing day-to-day accounting functions to ensure the organization's financial records are accurate, complete, timely, and maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable federal regulations, grant requirements, and organizational policies and procedures. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this position provides critical accounting support in general ledger maintenance, account reconciliations, financial reporting, grant accounting, month-end and year-end closing, and audit preparation. The Senior Staff Accountant is expected to exercise sound professional judgment, maintain a high level of accuracy and accountability, identify discrepancies, and independently resolve routine accounting issues. This position plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the organization's financial records and ensuring appropriate internal controls and financial accountability over tribal, federal, state, and private funding. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. General Accounting and General Ledger Management • Maintain accurate and complete general ledger records in accordance with GAAP and organizational accounting policies., • Prepare, review, and post journal entries, accruals, allocations, reclassifications, and adjusting entries., • Maintain supporting documentation for all accounting transactions., • Reconcile balance sheet accounts, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll liabilities, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, and other assigned accounts., • Review transactions for proper account coding, funding source, department, program, and grant allocation., • Identify and investigate unusual transactions, discrepancies, and variances, bringing unresolved matters to the CFO's attention., • Maintain accurate subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules. 1. Grant and Program Accounting • Assist with accounting and financial monitoring of federal, state, tribal, and privately funded grants and programs., • Ensure expenditures are properly classified by grant, program, funding source, and allowable cost category., • Review transactions for compliance with approved budgets, grant agreements, Notices of Award, and applicable funding requirements., • Monitor grant expenditures, available balances, indirect costs, and funding limitations., • Assist with preparation of grant financial reports, expenditure reports, reimbursement requests, and supporting schedules., • Reconcile grant expenditures recorded in the general ledger to grant budgets and supporting documentation., • Identify potential over-expenditures, unallowable costs, duplicate charges, and funding deficiencies., • Assist with maintaining grant documentation and financial records in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as applicable., • Coordinate with program directors and grant personnel to resolve accounting questions and obtain missing documentation. 1. Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable • Review and process accounts payable transactions for proper coding, supporting documentation, authorization, and compliance with established procedures., • Verify that expenditures are properly approved before payment., • Maintain accurate accounts payable records and assist with vendor reconciliations., • Monitor accounts receivable, outstanding invoices, grant reimbursements, and other amounts due to the organization., • Assist with cash receipts, deposits, revenue recognition, and account reconciliations., • Maintain appropriate documentation to support all disbursements and receipts. 1. Payroll and Employee Cost Allocations • Assist with payroll accounting, including recording payroll entries, reconciling payroll liabilities, and verifying payroll expense allocations., • Review payroll distributions for appropriate department, program, and grant coding., • Reconcile payroll reports to the general ledger and supporting payroll records., • Assist with identifying and correcting payroll coding discrepancies and allocation errors., • Maintain supporting documentation for payroll charges to federal and other restricted funding sources. 1. Financial Reporting and Account Reconciliations • Prepare monthly financial schedules, account reconciliations, and supporting documentation for CFO review., • Assist with preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements., • Prepare budget-to-actual reports and investigate significant variances., • Provide financial information and supporting schedules to assist the CFO and department leadership with financial monitoring., • Assist with maintaining accurate financial records by program, department, grant, and funding source., • Ensure accounting records are closed and reconciled within established monthly deadlines. 1. Month-End and Year-End Closing • Perform assigned month-end and year-end closing procedures., • Prepare accruals, adjusting entries, prepaid expense schedules, depreciation schedules, and other closing entries., • Reconcile all assigned balance sheet accounts and maintain supporting schedules., • Review general ledger activity for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification., • Assist with preparation of year-end financial statements and audit schedules., • Ensure financial records are organized and readily available for management and external auditors. 1. Internal Controls and Compliance • Follow established accounting policies, procedures, and internal control requirements., • Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and ensure transactions receive the required approvals., • Protect confidential financial, payroll, employee, vendor, and organizational information., • Identify weaknesses in accounting processes and recommend improvements to the CFO., • Maintain organized financial records and supporting documentation in accordance with applicable record retention requirements., • Support compliance with GAAP, applicable federal grant requirements, IRS regulations, and organizational policies., • Immediately report suspected irregularities, unsupported transactions, or potential financial control deficiencies to the CFO. 1. Audit Support • Assist with preparation and organization of annual financial audit workpapers and supporting schedules., • Respond to assigned auditor requests and provide requested financial documentation., • Reconcile audit schedules to the general ledger and supporting accounting records., • Assist with preparation of Single Audit schedules, including information necessary for the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), when applicable., • Research and resolve audit questions in coordination with the CFO., • Assist with implementing approved audit adjustments and correcting identified accounting discrepancies. 1. Other Responsibilities • Assist with developing and improving accounting procedures and financial reporting processes., • Support implementation and maintenance of accounting software and related financial systems., • Provide accounting guidance and assistance to program and administrative personnel as appropriate., • Maintain professional working relationships with employees, management, vendors, funding agencies, and external auditors., • Perform other accounting and financial duties as assigned by the CFO. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Education: • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field preferred., • An equivalent combination of education, accounting training, and progressively responsible accounting experience may be considered. Experience: • Minimum of eight to ten years of progressively responsible accounting experience., • Experience with nonprofit, tribal government, governmental, or grant-funded organizations preferred., • Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, financial reporting, and month-end closing., • Working knowledge of federal grant accounting and 2 CFR Part 200 preferred., • Experience preparing audit schedules and supporting external financial audits preferred., • Experience with fund accounting or accounting systems that support multiple programs, departments, and funding sources preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES • Strong understanding of GAAP and fundamental accounting principles., • Knowledge of nonprofit accounting and restricted funding requirements., • Understanding of federal grant cost principles, allowability, allocability, and documentation requirements., • Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies, and independently resolve accounting issues., • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines., • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and MIP and Microix or Sage Intacct nonprofit accounting software., • Ability to prepare accurate financial schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation., • Strong written and verbal communication skills., • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment., • Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with the CFO and other departments., • Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and accountability. SUPERVISION AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIP The Senior Staff Accountant reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is accountable for the timely and accurate completion of assigned accounting responsibilities. The CFO establishes priorities, provides direction, reviews financial work products, and evaluates performance. The Senior Staff Accountant is expected to work independently within established policies and procedures while escalating significant accounting issues, compliance concerns, unusual transactions, and unresolved discrepancies to the CFO. This position does not have independent authority to approve expenditures, authorize payments, establish financial policies, or make commitments on behalf of the organization unless specifically delegated in writing. PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS Performance will be evaluated based on the following: • Accuracy and completeness of general ledger transactions and account reconciliations., • Timely completion of assigned monthly and year-end closing responsibilities., • Accuracy of grant, program, and departmental accounting., • Compliance with accounting policies, internal controls, and applicable funding requirements., • Timely identification and resolution of accounting discrepancies., • Organization and completeness of audit documentation., • Ability to work independently and meet established deadlines., • Communication, professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability., • Demonstrated initiative in improving accounting processes and procedures. WORKING CONDITIONS • Primarily office-based accounting position., • Extended hours may occasionally be required during month-end, year-end, budget preparation, and annual audit periods., • Must be able to work collaboratively with finance personnel, program directors, management, and external auditors. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify responsibilities as organizational needs change. \nCompany Description In business for more than 35 years, Audit Business Services, Inc. provides accounting, payroll, and human resource services for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. We offer training for management personnel in multiple areas. We also have a specialty practice area for training Native American leaders, decision makers, and managers in various subject matter areas throughout Indian country. (We are certified in Indian Country sovereignty for accounting, Human Resources, safety, grants management, etc. We welcome all tribal communities to use our unique tribal services.) We want you to succeed. We partner with you to build the path for the growth of your organization. We use partners in multiple business topic areas to provide you with the best possible solutions to your challenges and desired business outcomes. In business for more than 35 years, Audit Business Services, Inc. provides accounting, payroll, and human resource services for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. We offer training for management personnel in multiple areas. \r\n\r\nWe also have a specialty practice area for training Native American leaders, decision makers, and managers in various subject matter areas throughout Indian country. (We are certified in Indian Country sovereignty for accounting, Human Resources, safety, grants management, etc. We welcome all tribal communities to use our unique tribal services.) \r\n\r\nWe want you to succeed. We partner with you to build the path for the growth of your organization.\r\n\r\nWe use partners in multiple business topic areas to provide you with the best possible solutions to your challenges and desired business outcomes.