Senior Staff Accountant in Chicago, Illinois at Franciscan Outreach

FLSA Status: Full-time Exempt
Monday through Friday

Organizational Summary
Franciscan Outreach is a leading provider of homeless services in Chicago. We operate as a system of support for people who are marginalized and experiencing homelessness, and we empower them to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing.

Position Description
The Senior Accountant provides fiscal and accounting support and is responsible for maintaining accurate financial information in accordance with GAAP. The Senior Accountant is responsible for general accounting functions, preparing and entering journal entries, preparing general ledger account reconciliations, and assisting with the month-end and year-end closing process. This position also prepares monthly grant invoices, and assists in financial analysis and ad hoc reporting requests on an as needed basis. Attention to detail and accuracy are paramount. Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage organizational financial risk by following established accounting policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Assist with the monthly and year-end financial close process, including preparation of journal entries and balance sheet account reconciliations.
• Prepare, submit, and track reimbursement vouchers, grant billings, invoices, and financial reports for government and private funders in accordance with approved grant agreements and funding requirements.
• Review approved grant budgets, contracts, and funding agreements to ensure expenditures submitted for reimbursement are allowable, properly documented, and within approved budget limits.
• Maintain complete and audit-ready grant billing files, reimbursement requests, supporting schedules, and required documentation.
• Monitor Accounts Receivable utilizing the A/R Aging Report; investigate outstanding balances, follow up with funders and other customers as appropriate, and assist in collection efforts.
• Monitor Accounts Payable utilizing the A/P Aging Report; review outstanding obligations, ensure timely processing of vendor payments, and resolve discrepancies.
• Review vendor invoices for accuracy, supporting documentation, and proper coding. Ensure expenses submitted through reimbursable grant vouchers are accurately allocated to the appropriate funding source, grant budget line item, and program prior to payment processing and reimbursement submission.
• Reconcile expenses in RAMP on a daily basis, ensuring accurate coding, supporting documentation, and timely approvals. Reconcile the monthly RAMP credit card statement to the general ledger and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Reconcile vendor statements for employee benefits reimbursed through grant vouchers, including health, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance. Reconcile vendor invoices and statements to payroll deduction reports and payroll journals, identify discrepancies, research variances, and prepare a written summary memorandum with findings and recommended actions for the Director of Finance.
• Reconcile and record in-kind contributions and related supporting documentation based on ASC 958 -065.
• Assist with annual budget preparation, forecasting, and periodic budget-to-actual analysis for selected grants.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of accounting records and supporting documentation based on approved naming convention.
• Assist and file annual Forms 1099 and 1096 and maintain related documentation.
• Participate in finance department meetings and organization-wide meetings as required. Ability to demonstrate processes for cross training.
• Assist with special projects involving accounting, financial analysis, process improvement, compliance, and reporting.
• Prepare and report Forms 1099 and 1096 at year-end. Maintain files throughout the year.
• Cross train and support department, including accounts payable, cash receipts, accounts receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, etc.
Skills needed
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated focus on providing accurate information, analysis and schedules
• Detailed-oriented; meticulous attention to detail, including the ability to perform detailed analytical tasks
• Precision in account reconciliation and report generation
• Comfortable with a very busy, widely varied position
• Highly skilled in dealing with financial and numeric data
• Ability to manage time according to changing priorities
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a deadline-oriented environment required
• The required quality of work output requires a special emphasis on accuracy, attention to detail and flexibility in prioritization
• Experience using a computerized accounting system, inclusive of general journal entries, cost allocations and reporting required, with skills in G/L and financial statements.
• Working knowledge of QuickBooks in the context of a non-profit or fund-accounting organization.
• Strong computer skills with emphasis on Microsoft Excel, and specific fund-based accounting software
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, project management and communication (written and verbal) skills
• Ability to communicate to multiple constituents and to collaborate effectively with people at all levels of authority
• Enthusiastically able to provide calendar and deadline driven results
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to lift 20 lbs., and walk up and down stairs
• Must pass applicable background check

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Finance or commensurate experience.
• 3 – 5 years of experience with fund accounting in a non-profit or government entity is required.

Benefits We Offer
• Generous vacation program based on years of service.
• Paid holidays based on position and eligibility
• Paid Sick Leave days annually
• Paid Leave days annually
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Accident & Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage
• Complimentary life insurance
• Complimentary short-term disability
• 403b retirement savings plan
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additional Requirements:
All staff are expected to abide by the policies of Franciscan Outreach including, but not limited to rules governing ethics, confidentiality, dual relationships, honesty, and integrity. All staff are expected to always act in good faith and in keeping with the mission and values of Franciscan Outreach. Staff must have a commitment to serving the guests of Franciscan Outreach and to contributing to a positive, respectful, and accepting environment.