Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant

Department: Finance
Reports To: Controller
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $60,000–$80,000 annually
Supervisory Responsibility: None

POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Accountant supports the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of Lifeline Connections. Responsibilities include general ledger accounting, reconciliations, journal entries, grant and contract accounting, payroll accounting entries, month-end close activities, financial reporting, audit preparation, and financial system support.

The position also assists with monitoring nonprofit grants and contracts, including budget-to-actual reporting, invoicing, reconciliations, financial reporting, and grant application budget support. The Staff Accountant works closely with the Controller, Finance team, Payroll, Human Resources, and program leadership to maintain accurate financial records and support compliance with organizational, contractual, and funding requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Prepare and post routine journal entries.

• Maintain assigned general ledger accounts and supporting schedules.

• Complete bank, balance sheet, payroll, and other assigned reconciliations.

• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities.

• Assist with preparation of financial reports and supporting schedules.

• Maintain fixed asset records and related reconciliations.

• Research accounting discrepancies and make or recommend appropriate corrections.

• Maintain organized and complete supporting documentation for financial transactions.

Grant & Contract Accounting

• Maintain financial records for assigned grants, contracts, and funding sources.

• Monitor budget-to-actual expenditures and available funding balances.

• Calculate and report contract underspending and overspending percentages for departments such as Housing and Medication Assistant Treatement.

• Identify significant budget variances and communicate concerns to the Controller and appropriate program leadership.

• Prepare grant and contract invoices, reimbursement requests, and routine financial reports.

• Reconcile grant and contract revenue, expenses, receivables, and funding balances.

• Maintain documentation necessary to support grant and contract expenditures.

• Assist with contract and grant budget modifications, closeouts, monitoring reviews, and audits.

• Support financial Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) related to contracts or grants as directed by the Controller.

• Assist with tracking CAP deadlines and documentation related to assigned financial findings.

Grant Application Support

• Assist the Controller and program leadership with the financial components of nonprofit grant applications and renewals.

• Prepare grant budget worksheets, personnel calculations, cost projections, and supporting financial information.

• Assist with budget narratives and financial documentation required for grant applications.

• Maintain organized records of grant budgets, awards, amendments, and financial reporting requirements.

Payroll Accounting

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries and reconciliations.

• Assist with PTO, workers' compensation/L&I, and other payroll accrual entries.

• Reconcile payroll activity to the general ledger.

• Work with Payroll and Human Resources to research and resolve accounting discrepancies.

Audit, Tax & Regulatory Support

• Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for financial audits, grant monitoring, and other external reviews.

• Assist with applicable sales/use tax and state filings.

• Support annual 1099 preparation and reconciliation.

• Respond to routine audit documentation requests under the direction of the Controller.

• Maintain records in an organized and audit-ready manner.

Financial Systems Support

• Support day-to-day use of Acumatica, Divvy, and other assigned financial systems.

• Assist with vendor setup and maintenance.

• Maintain accurate financial system records and account coding.

• Assist employees and program leaders with routine financial system questions.

• Identify system or data issues and escalate concerns to the Controller or appropriate resource.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

The Staff Accountant is expected to demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Accounting Knowledge: Applies generally accepted accounting principles and basic nonprofit accounting practices to assigned responsibilities.

• Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, complete, and appropriately documented financial work.

• Grant & Contract Accounting: Understands grant budgets, restricted funding, invoicing, reconciliations, and financial reporting requirements.

• Financial Analysis: Identifies discrepancies, budget variances, and potential financial concerns and appropriately escalates issues.

• Technology: Demonstrates proficiency with accounting software, Microsoft Excel, and other required financial systems.

• Organization & Time Management: Manages multiple deadlines and maintains organized financial records.

• Communication & Collaboration: Communicates effectively with Finance, program leadership, Payroll, Human Resources, and other stakeholders.

• Confidentiality & Professionalism: Protects sensitive financial and employee information and demonstrates sound professional judgment.

• Accountability: Completes assigned work accurately and timely and follows established accounting procedures and internal controls.

• Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve financial processes, documentation, and efficiency.

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Performance will be evaluated based on assigned responsibilities, demonstrated competencies, and measurable outcomes established by the Controller. Key measures may include:

• Contract Budget Monitoring: Timely identification and reporting of percentage underspending or overspending for assigned contracts and grants.

• Financial Reporting: Percentage of assigned grant and contract financial reports completed accurately and by established deadlines.

• Corrective Action Plans: Timely completion of assigned financial documentation or action items associated with contract-related CAPs.

• Reconciliations: Percentage of assigned accounts, grants, and contracts reconciled accurately and within established timelines.

• Month-End Close: Timely and accurate completion of assigned journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.

• Audit Readiness: Accuracy, completeness, and accessibility of financial documentation requested for audits or monitoring reviews.

• Data Accuracy: Accuracy of information entered and maintained within assigned financial systems.

Performance related to contract variances or CAPs will consider the employee's ability to identify, report, document, and assist in addressing financial concerns within the scope of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. Relevant accounting experience may substitute for education.

• Minimum of two years of accounting or directly related financial experience preferred.

• Experience with journal entries, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and month-end close preferred.

• Experience in a nonprofit, healthcare, behavioral health, human services, or grant-funded environment preferred.

• Experience with grant or contract accounting and financial reporting preferred.

• Experience assisting with nonprofit grant budgets or grant applications is a plus.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting software.

• Experience with Acumatica, Divvy, or comparable financial systems preferred.

• Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies, and maintain accurate documentation.

• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Employees are expected to perform their responsibilities in accordance with Lifeline Connections' mission, values, policies, confidentiality requirements, applicable laws and regulations, funding requirements, and accreditation standards. Employees are responsible for completing required training and maintaining the competencies necessary to successfully perform their assigned responsibilities.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Duties may be modified based on organizational, regulatory, funding, or operational needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.