Accountant

ORGANIZATION: SHELTER, Inc. is an independent, community-based non-profit organization created in 1986 to lead Contra Costa County's effort to eliminate homelessness. We now serve Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano Counties.

MISSION: To prevent and end homelessness among low-income, homeless, and disadvantaged families and individuals by providing housing services, support and resources that lead to self-sufficiency.

JOB TITLE: AP Accountant

STATUS: Non-Exempt/Full Time

TEAM: Finance

REPORTS TO: Accounting Manager

SUPERVISES: None

PURPOSE of ROLE: Provide specific accounting functions in an accurate, timely manner as directed to support the Finance team in expediting financial transactions required to fulfill the agency’s mission, vision and values.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• Processes check requests and invoices for payment, validating appropriate expense coding.
• Coordinates gift card distribution and tracking.
• Conducts bank account reconciliations.
• Performs data entry for various functions.
• Prepares Invoice History and A/P Aging reports for review to mark obligations for scheduled payment processing.
• Prepares check vouchers for signature by authorized signers and prepares check register for file and reference and records paid amount in the Monthly Check Payment Report.
• Maintains vendor files and ensures that W-9s on file are kept current.
• Assists in the preparation of annual 1099/1096 reporting to IRS.
• Records daily receipts and deposit in to accounts.
• Prepares, enters and validates journal entries.
• Assists senior team members in account analysis and reconciliations.
• Develops and submits analytical financial data as needed by supervisor.
• Assists in completing and compiling financial support documentation for budget and Board of Director/Finance Committee meetings.
• Supports the annual financial audit and all contract monitoring requests as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EXPECTED PROFICIENCIES:

• At least three years of experience working in a comparable accounting role in a non-profit agency.
• Knowledge of accounting and finance principles and practices.
• Ability to understand excel spreadsheets and formulas and ability to import data to and export data from them.
• Ability to communicate issues and escalate discrepancies using strong oral/written communication skills and listening abilities.
• Ability to communicate across multiple teams and with governmental, foundations and other agencies.
• MUST MEET DEADLINES and be able to independently interpret and balance priorities between competing demands on time and resources.
• Strong computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, InfoPath and general familiarity with databases.
• Self-motivated and accountable for timely follow-through.
• Quality control: demonstrates accuracy/thoroughness in monitoring own work to ensure quality and seeks/applies feedback to improve performance.
• Clear/firm-yet-flexible boundaries, consistent energy level and positive demeanor.
• A high level of integrity and strong ethical values and maintains the highest standards of confidentiality with all records, including organizational and individual information.

MINUIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate of Arts degree in business administration or certificate in accounting or finance principles.
• Minimum five years of office or clerical experience.
• Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of personalities and roles - staff, clients, local agencies, contractors, lenders, etc.
• Access to reliable transportation required.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, business administration or related fields.
• Experience with Intacct or similar fund accounting software system.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel objects. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.The work environment is that in an office and or clerical in nature.

There are no unusual environmental conditions. Typically, the noise level in the work environment is quiet.