Michigan Indian Legal Services - Part-time or ¾ time Financial Administrator - Traverse City

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: MILS, is a statewide provider of free legal services to low-income Native Americans and tribes. MILS represents individuals, families, tribes and organizations in cases that span a range of tribal and federal Indian law cases.

POSITION: Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS) is seeking to fill a part-time or ¾ time Financial Administrator position to be stationed in the Traverse City office. The Financial Administrator is responsible for the non-direct client services aspects of the administration and operation of MILS, particularly in fiscal, property, and statistical matters. The Financial Administrator position is responsible for and performs a variety of technical and professional accounting work and support functions related to the operation of MILS, including such areas as accounts payable and receivable, payroll, general ledger, financial and cash reports and statements, grants and budget. Work is relatively independent, with supervision available to address complex, non-routine questions. This position performs basic and specialized accounting work that ranges from task oriented, routine and repetitive to broader, non-routine work and includes such areas as troubleshooting, reconciliation of account balances and verification of data. Work involves the application of accepted accounting processes and practices and applies knowledge to analyse and respond to general matters within established limits.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities Of Position.

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Complete technical as well as professional accounting work in areas such as accounts payable and receivable, payroll, general ledger, financial and cash reports and statements, grants and budget, cash collection and reconciliation.
• Preparation or assisting in the preparation of budgets and assist in preparation of grant applications.
• Entries into the general ledger.
• Monitor expenditures in all areas.
• Bill payments including expense reimbursement to staff.
• Processing payroll and updating staff withholdings or account information in the payroll system.
• Running monthly or quarterly reports as needed.
• Grant activity reports and grant drawdown requests.
• Monthly invoice reporting and submission regarding the tribal contracts.
• Provide timely and accurate processing of accounting functions in areas such as payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing and property taxes.
• Assists in the processing of all documents for bookkeeping purposes, in preparation of all bookkeeping reports, sorting documents for filing, recording receipts, processes invoices for payments, and preparation of checks.
• Develop and maintain reports where analysis of data is required. Identify sources and extract necessary information. Perform general and complex calculations.
• Assist with gathering information, conducting research, analysing data, identifying trends and preparing a variety of reports and statements.
• Complete special projects and studies. Produce spreadsheets, charts and tables and analyse various data and scenarios.
• Review transactions and records to ensure proper recording of transactions and compliance with employment contracts, operating budget, applicable rules, policies, regulations and laws.
• Assist in the preparation of necessary financial reports to grantor organizations. These reports require comparison of budget line items to actual expenditures, determination of current expenditures to date, and determination of amount of funds remaining by budget line item.
• Maintain confidential records and process and transmit information that requires a high degree of discretion.
• Complete general office support work including duties such as processing and mail, filing, scheduling, coordinating meetings, and ordering and maintaining supplies.
• Design and create general and complex correspondence and reports such as memorandums, staff reports, charts, tables, graphs, brochures and resolutions. Responsible for accuracy and clarity of final copy.
• Keep abreast of new developments in the field and current issues through regulatory reports and continued education and professional growth. Ensure changes, including payroll and taxes, are made to comply with necessary laws and regulations.
• Maintain corporate records including the preparation of board meeting minutes.
• May train employees in finance.
• Performs related work as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. A qualified individual with a disability must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• An associate’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field, preferably supplemented with responsible work experience in the accounting field. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may substitute for the degree requirement. An entrant into this classification who has not met the degree requirement must demonstrate acceptable progress toward attaining the degree in order to advance in the pay range.
• Must have knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Practices and the ability to think strategically and to learn about MILS’s operations and processes.
• Ability to establish effective and cooperative working relationships and to use tact, good judgment and resourcefulness when working with staff, vendors, other governmental agencies and the public.
• Detail oriented, organized and possesses ability to problem solve.
• Ability to gather and analyse data and prepare and maintain accurate and timely reports, charts, statistical analyses, memoranda, letters and responses to requests for information.
• Ability to communicate and present information effectively, both in a verbal and written manner to varied audiences.
• Ability to read and interpret contracts, including employment contracts, and to implement changes as necessary to comply with the contracts.
• Ability to use modern office equipment and information technology including software applications related to areas of responsibility and can quickly learn other technology as necessary. Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work effectively within deadlines, under stress, and with changing work priorities.
• Ability to work as a team and with minimum supervision. Possesses self-supervising attributes and a positive, congenial attitude.
• Ability to train.
• Discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to review work for accuracy.
• Ability to maintain a neat and safe workplace.
• Effective speaking abilities.
• Empathy and sensitivity for needs of low-income individuals.
  
  

BENEFITS: Benefits available depend upon whether hired as part-time or three-fourths time employee MILS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minorities, women, and persons with disabilities to apply.

Please Send Resume, Cover Letter, And References To

Cameron Ann Fraser, Executive Director

Michigan Indian Legal Services

cfraser@mils3.org

814 S. Garfield Ave., Suite A

Traverse City, MI 49686

231-947-0122

Date Posted

03/28/2025