Staff Accountant

cdcb•Brownsville, TX

4d•$48,000 - $50,000

About The Position

The Staff Accountant maintains accurate and complete accounting records for assigned programs and financial activities, with primary responsibility for YouthBuild accounting, notes receivable, home sales, and assigned account reconciliations. The role supports monthly closing and financial reporting by reviewing account activity, researching discrepancies, preparing supporting schedules, and ensuring transactions are recorded accurately and on time. The position also contributes to improving Finance Department operations by evaluating processes, identifying efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities, strengthening internal controls, and developing and maintaining standard operating procedures. This includes analyzing financial products, vendors, payment methods, and recurring processes and recommending improvements that reduce costs or increase organizational value. The Staff Accountant is expected to work independently and take ownership of assigned areas. Additional accounting functions, projects, and responsibilities may be delegated as proficiency is demonstrated and departmental needs evolve. The position generally operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment, computers, accounting systems, and telephones. The employee must be able to communicate effectively, work at a computer for extended periods, and perform frequent keyboarding and document review; occasional movement or organization of accounting records and files may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

At least two years of bookkeeping, general ledger, staff accounting, or related financial experience is preferred.
Strong understanding of general accounting principles.
Experience preparing account reconciliations and journal entries.
Ability to maintain subsidiary ledgers and reconcile them to the general ledger.
Understanding of accounts receivable, notes receivable, cash transactions, and month-end closing procedures.
Ability to review financial transactions and supporting documents for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification.
Familiarity with internal controls and accounting process documentation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including identifying discrepancies, investigating causes, and recommending corrections.
Ability to analyze account activity and recognize unusual or inconsistent transactions.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Ability to organize and manage multiple recurring deadlines and work independently while recognizing when an issue should be escalated.
Willingness and ability to learn new accounting functions and accept additional responsibilities over time.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and reconciliation schedules.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to communicate accounting information clearly to financial and nonfinancial staff; prepare organized financial reports, schedules, and written explanations; and request missing documentation and follow up professionally.
Ability to work collaboratively with staff across multiple departments and programs.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field preferred.
An associate degree in accounting or a related field combined with relevant accounting experience may be considered.
Experience with nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, loan accounting, grant accounting, construction accounting, or home sales is beneficial.
Experience with MIP Fund Accounting, QuickBooks, Yardi, or similar accounting systems is preferred.
Experience improving or automating accounting processes is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Maintain complete and accurate accounting records for YouthBuild, including revenues, expenses, receivables, cash activity, and intercompany or due-to/due-from transactions.
Prepare YouthBuild reconciliations and supporting schedules, monitor expense coding and documentation, prepare financial statements, assist with budget-to-actual reporting, and explain significant variances.
Coordinate with YouthBuild staff to obtain invoices, payroll information, approvals, and other documentation; support grant reimbursements, financial reports, audits, and monitoring reviews.
Maintain the notes receivable subsidiary ledger; record notes, payments, interest, adjustments, and other activity; reconcile balances to the general ledger; investigate differences; and prepare schedules and management reports.
Coordinate with lending, servicing, and program staff to ensure loan activity is recorded accurately and on time.
Maintain accounting records for home sales, including general ledger entries that match operating account activity; review closing statements and supporting documents; and record sale proceeds and related transactions.
Reconcile home sale activity to closing documents, cash receipts, inventory records, and the general ledger; maintain organized files; resolve missing or inconsistent information with relevant staff; and prepare home sale schedules and reports.
Prepare monthly reconciliations for assigned bank, cash, receivable, liability, intercompany, and general ledger accounts; investigate reconciling items; prepare and post documented journal entries; and review accounts for unusual balances, duplicate transactions, coding errors, and discrepancies.
Assist with monthly and year-end closing and prepare supporting schedules for financial statements, audits, tax filings, and management reporting.
Ensure accounting records and supporting documentation are complete, accurate, and organized.
Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures for assigned accounting and Finance Department processes; update procedures as systems, responsibilities, regulations, or processes change.
Review procedures and workflows and recommend improvements to efficiency, accuracy, consistency, documentation, and internal controls, including segregation of duties.
Identify and evaluate cost-saving opportunities; review financial products, services, vendors, payment methods, and credit card and purchasing processes for costs, rewards, fees, controls, and administrative efficiency.
Lead or assist with approved cost-saving and efficiency initiatives, evaluate alternatives, and monitor realized savings.
Develop and maintain accounting procedures, checklists, reconciliation templates, and closing schedules; assist with standardizing and automating recurring accounting processes.
Improve information flow between accounting, lending, development, property management, and program operations; assist with accounting system implementations, upgrades, conversions, and related process changes.
Respond to financial information requests from management, auditors, program staff, and external partners; assist Finance Department staff with accounting system questions and special projects.
Maintain confidentiality, follow accounting procedures and internal controls, meet recurring reporting deadlines, and perform other duties or assume additional accounting responsibilities as assigned.