Senior Accountant
union station homeless servicesPasadena (CA)
Senior Accountant
Posted today
union station homeless servicesPasadena (CA)
SENIORITY
Senior
About the role
Senior Accountant Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Accountant is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the organization's financial records by overseeing general ledger activities, leading the monthly and year-end close processes, preparing financial reports, ensuring compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards, supporting audits and grant reporting, and improving accounting processes and internal controls. The Senior Accountant serves as a key resource to the Finance team by providing financial analysis, technical accounting expertise, and guidance to accounting staff while collaborating across departments to support the organization's mission. Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following: Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process, ensuring accurate and timely completion. Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting documentation prepared by accounting staff. Maintain responsibility for the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts. Prepare monthly financial statements, management reports, and financial analyses for the Chief Financial Officer and executive leadership. Monitor grant expenditures and assist in ensuring compliance with federal, state, county, and private funding requirements. Prepare and reconcile grant reimbursement requests and related financial schedules. Assist the Controller with the preparation of the annual operating budget and periodic financial forecasts. Lead preparation of audit schedules and serve as the primary contact for external auditors during the annual financial statement audit. Recommend and implement improvements to accounting procedures, workflows, and internal controls. Research technical accounting issues and prepare accounting memoranda as needed. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, GAAP, Uniform Guidance (where applicable), and nonprofit accounting standards. Assist in developing accounting policies and standard operating procedures. Provide guidance, training, and technical support to Staff Accountants and other Finance team members. Support special projects, financial system implementations, and process improvement initiatives as assigned by the Controller.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Strong knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), with emphasis on nonprofit accounting standards.
- Working knowledge of fund accounting, grant accounting, restricted funding, and cost allocation methodologies preferred.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret financial data and identify trends.
- Strong understanding of internal controls and financial reporting processes.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and complex formulas.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and accounting software systems. Experience with nonprofit ERP or accounting software (such as Sage Intacct, MIP Fund Accounting, Blackbaud, or similar systems) is highly desirable.
- Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to research technical accounting issues and recommend appropriate accounting treatment.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment. Ability to exercise sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive financial information.
- Strong customer service skills with the ability to build productive working relationships across departments.
- Commitment to continuous learning, process improvement, and professional development.
- Education, training and experience: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field required.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of nonprofit accounting experience preferred.
- Demonstrated experience preparing financial statements, leading month-end and year-end close, and supporting annual audits.
- Experience with grant accounting, fund accounting, and government funding highly preferred.
- Experience with accounting software such as Sage Intacct, MIP Fund Accounting, Blackbaud Financial Edge, or similar ERP systems preferred. CPA license or CPA candidate strongly preferred.
- Physical and mental requirements and work environment: Ability to work in a temperature controlled office environment The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
- See, hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions
- Ability to interact with other employees, clients, vendors, donors, and members of the public
- Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints
- Ability to work effectively under time constraints and stressful work conditions, prioritize work, multi-task, and adapt to changing work demands
- Complex reading and writing skills, memorization skills, analytical/perception/comprehensive capabilities, judgment, and decision-making capability
- Ability to work independently and with others, prioritize work, and make decisions
- Gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information
- Perform arithmetic operations
- Transcribe, enter, and post data
- High level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time
- Requires use of a computer keyboard for long periods of time
- Able to travel to off-site meetings
Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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