Staff Accountant - Compliance and Internal Control

Salvation Army Careers•San Francisco, CA

13d•$90,000 - $94,000

About The Position

The Staff Accountant supports accounting, financial reporting, and compliance functions across the Golden State Division. The position manages month-end, quarterly, and year-end close activities; prepares reconciliations and financial analyses; supports budgeting and audits; and ensures accurate accounting for funds, grants, and donations. It also evaluates financial controls, identifies risks, monitors compliance with internal policies and external regulations, and follows up on audit recommendations. Through financial reviews, site visits, training, and collaboration with divisional headquarters and corps/units, the position promotes financial accuracy, accountability, operational efficiency, and stewardship of organizational resources. Regular travel throughout the division is expected, though the description gives differing estimates: approximately 30–50% in the duties section and approximately 20–30% in the work environment section.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Three to five years of progressive accounting experience, preferably including general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end or year-end closing.
Knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal control practices.
Experience reviewing financial records, analyzing variances, investigating discrepancies, and maintaining audit-ready supporting documentation.
Experience with accounting systems, financial reporting tools, and general ledger applications.
Strong general accounting skills, including journal entries, reconciliations, closing procedures, and financial reporting.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and investigative skills, including the ability to identify discrepancies and recommend practical solutions.
Knowledge of internal controls, risk management, and financial compliance practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain accounting requirements and control procedures to non-finance personnel.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and appropriately handle sensitive financial information.
Ability to work collaboratively with divisional headquarters and corps/units while maintaining professional independence when evaluating financial controls and compliance.
Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the division and work independently with corps/units.
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs., usually file boxes.
Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties with or without accommodation.
The employee must acknowledge and not undermine The Salvation Army’s religious mission; work-related conduct must not conflict with or interfere with its religious purposes.

Nice To Haves

Experience in internal audit, internal controls, risk assessment, or compliance is desirable.
Nonprofit or faith-based organization experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing activities, including journal entries, accruals, prepaid and deferred expenses, and other adjusting entries.
Prepare and reconcile general ledger accounts, bank accounts, interdivisional balances, and other balance sheet accounts; investigate discrepancies and maintain supporting schedules and documentation.
Prepare and analyze financial statements, general ledger reports, budget-to-actual comparisons, and other financial analyses to identify unusual transactions, variances, and potential accounting issues.
Support accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll accounting, fixed asset accounting, and other general accounting functions as needed.
Review financial transactions and supporting documentation for correct account coding, fund allocation, authorization, and compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
Assist with accounting, tracking, and reconciliation of restricted funds, designated funds, grants, donations, and other fund balances.
Support annual budgeting, financial forecasting, external audits, and preparation of audit schedules and other financial documentation.
Collaborate with divisional headquarters and corps/units to assess and address risk areas.
Evaluate controls and procedures and provide training to mitigate operational vulnerabilities.
Provide financial analysis and reports to corps/units, identifying concerns and recommending changes or improvements.
Conduct site visits to evaluate current practices and support implementation of corrective actions.
Provide hands-on training and support to corps/units on systems and procedures.
Coordinate with corps/units receiving governmental funds to support compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
Follow up on internal and external audit recommendations and THQ Risk Department items with corps/units.
Travel to corps/units as needed; travel estimates vary within the posting.
Perform other related duties as assigned.