Lead Accountant

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

11d • $96,000 - $101,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society, the nation’s largest and oldest public defense and civil legal services provider is dedicated to a simple yet powerful mission: ensuring that no individual is denied the right to equal justice. For 148 years, we have protected, defended, and advocated for those who have struggled in silence for far too long – working on the front lines and behind the scenes to offer the people we serve the exceptional legal services they deserve. Through our Civil, Criminal Defense, and Juvenile Rights Practices, we offer an unmatched depth and breadth of legal expertise to vulnerable New Yorkers every year in over 200,000 individual legal matters while also impacting millions with effective advocacy, impact litigation and legislative agenda. We are dedicated to blunting the impact of poverty on individuals, families, and communities. The Lead Accountant reports to and works closely with the Accounting Manager in overseeing and performing day-to-day accounting functions. The Lead Senior Accountant supports the accounting team comprised of four staff accountants by ensuring adherence to internal control policies and procedures as well as accounting best practices. This position will also work closely with other Finance Department teams including Accounts Payable, Payroll, Grants and Contracts and Financial Planning and Analysis.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree required, with a focus in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 5+ years of related experience
• Experience with Financial Edge, Vena and/or Oracle NetSuite preferred
• Strong Excel skills and ability to analyze large volumes of data
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Strong understanding of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Understand when to escalate critical time sensitive issues
• Demonstrate a commitment to quality, accuracy, and thoroughness
• Versatile in handling multiple tasks simultaneously in accordance with highest priority
• Ability to meet deadlines, which may require a flexible schedule, as extended working hours may be required during month-end and year-end
• Excellent written and verbal communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Sense of professionalism, confidentiality, and a strong work ethic
• Strong analytical skills and strong excel skills (pivot tables etc.)
• Excellent time management skills
• Extremely organized and ability to respond to internal and external requests
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission and values

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration or a related field
• Nonprofit experience preferred
• Experience with fiscal, compliance and program audits
• Experience in developing and implementing financial systems, tools, structures, and processes
• Experience with cross-departmental collaboration and internal communications
• Demonstrated knowledge of non-profit accounting
• Knowledge of best practices in grants and contracts strategy and process improvement
• Experience with cross-departmental collaboration and internal communications

Responsibilities

• Assist the Accounting Manager in reviewing and analyzing general ledger accounts and proactively resolving inconsistencies under minimal supervision
• Assist the Accounting Manager in preparing the monthly GAAP financial statements and supporting schedules
• Responsible for performing a portfolio of monthly balance sheet reconciliations and preparing quarterly balance sheet binder for assigned reconciliations
• Take part in the month end close and associated tasks
• Manage accounting for the endowment and investment accounts
• Participate in preparing monthly, quarterly, and year-end journal entries
• Participate in preparing 90-day and weekly cash flow analysis
• Assist in updating task procedures and documentation and in identifying process improvements
• Prepare various schedules and analyses for the annual fiscal audit
• Prepare various schedules and analyses for the annual completion of the IRS Form 990
• Assist with individual program audit requests
• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid vacation
• disability
• life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
• assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level