Description

Summary of Position: The Staff Accountant is responsible for maintaining the financial health of the organization by providing professional accounting oversight and analysis across grant accounting, accounts payable, cash management, and financial reporting to ensure accuracy, compliance, and sound financial controls. This role collaborates closely with the Finance Coordinator and other staff to support accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulations, and efficient financial operations. The Staff Accountant plays a key role in the preparation of financial statements, budgets, and audits and exercises independent judgment in resolving accounting issues and supporting compliance and reporting requirements.

Specific Duties:

Accounts Payable

• Oversee the accounts payable process, including review of invoices for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate authorization.
• Ensure proper recording of invoices in the accounting system (Financial Edge) in accordance with accounting standards.
• Coordinate payment processing (checks and ACH), ensuring appropriate review and approval by the Accounting Manager and adherence to internal controls.
• Maintain oversight of vendor records and resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Reconcile company credit cards and resolve invoice discrepancies.
• Prepare and distribute annual 1099 forms.
• Maintain electronic and paper vendor files, including archiving and file destruction per retention policies.
• Ensure timely posting of accounts payable in the general ledger and resolve discrepancies.

Case Management and Accounts Receivables

• Oversee petty cash activity, including review of documentation, reconciliation, and compliance with internal controls.
• Review and reconcile cash and check receipts from revenue centers to ensure accuracy and proper recording.
• Analyze and reconcile monthly cash and EFT activity and address discrepancies.
• Review monthly client rent statements for accuracy.

Grant Accounting

• Prepare and review monthly vouchers for grants and contracts.
• Post journal entries to the general ledger to ensure correct allocation of grant revenues.
• Analyze and monitor grant expenditures and ensure proper documentation.
• Maintain grant documentation to support compliance and audit requirements.
• Serve as a fiscal resource to program leadership to support compliant grant management and reporting.
• Collaborate with various divisions on government grant management, program budgets, and financial reports.
• Ensure compliance with applicable local, federal, state, and other regulations.
• Prepare year-end SEFA and state reports.
• Manage funder audits and maintain communication with program directors regarding grants.
• Review biweekly payroll timesheets to maximize staff grant allocation and ensure proper matching activity.
• Assist with the preparation of the annual agency budget, monthly close, quarterly forecasts, and the annual agency audit.
• Participate in continuous improvement and system enhancement projects.

Monthly Closing, Financial Reporting, and Audit

• Assist in budget preparation and entry into Financial Edge.
• Perform monthly reconciliation for all agency bank accounts.
• Prepare, review, and analyze monthly journal entries to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Analyze financial data and assist in the preparation of monthly and year-end financial statements.
• Support external and grant audits by compiling documentation and responding to queries.

Other Duties

• Compile information for annual liability insurance renewal.
• Perform related administrative tasks in support of accounting and compliance functions, as needed.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Core Values of Connections for the Homeless.

Requirements

The following qualifications are requirements for the position:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or accounting, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in accounts payable and grant accounting.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial management skills.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 with strong Excel skills.
• Familiarity with fund accounting software, preferably Blackbaud Financial Edge.
• Experience in non-profit bookkeeping and working in a team environment is highly desirable.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are a plus.

Other Requirements:

• Must submit to a criminal background check
• Must submit to or provide evidence of a recent test for tuberculosis
• Willingness to work extended hours as needed to close out monthly books.

For nearly 40 years, Connections for the Homeless has served and catalyzed our community to end homelessness, one person at a time. Each year we provide eviction prevention, shelter, and housing services to 4,000 people from across north suburban Cook County. Beyond providing direct services we also operate a robust advocacy and community organizing program to address the root causes of homelessness. The COVID pandemic accelerated our growth in the depth and breadth of services we offer and the organizational infrastructure to sustain this highly impactful organization. Connections is a radically reshaped organization deeply committed to demonstrating our core values in all relationships with participants, colleagues, donors, partners, and volunteers.

Join our dedicated team at Connections for the Homeless, where we blend a commitment to making a difference with a competitive rewards package. Our full-time employees enjoy a range of benefits, consciously crafted through an equitable lens, to support their well-being and professional growth.

At Connections for the Homeless, we recognize that supporting our employees is essential in achieving our mission. We are ready to invest in you as you make a difference in our community. We can't wait for you to join us!