Homeless Action Center (HAC) is a community-based legal services program founded in 1990 to provide legal services to homeless people in Alameda County. Over time, HAC’s specialty became public benefits advocacy, with a focus on Social Security disability benefits. The process of qualifying for disability benefits can be lengthy and difficult. Employing a client-centered focus and harm reduction principles, Staff Attorneys work closely with other legal services programs and social services programs to assist clients in meeting their emergency and longer-term needs during this process. HAC represents over 2,000 clients at a time. Please refer to www.homelessactioncenter.org.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Homeless Action Center is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Staff Accountant. The Staff Accountant will play a crucial role in managing the financial operations of the organization, including accounts receivable, contract compliance, and general accounting tasks. In this role, you will have the opportunity to not only make a significant impact on our mission but also to expand your professional horizons, as the position offers substantial growth potential within our dynamic and evolving organization.
The ideal candidate will be intuitive, self-starting, dedicated, and possess a passion for numbers. This position requires a minimum of 2-4 years of relevant experience.
This is a full-time exempt position with 35-hour workweeks, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and a one-hour unpaid lunch each day. This position has a hybrid schedule of 3 days on site in our Berkeley Office. The Staff Accountant will report directly to the CFO.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Accounts Receivable:
- Oversee the organization’s accounts receivable function, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, receipts, and collections.
- Monitor and reconcile accounts receivable transactions, investigating and resolving any discrepancies.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure proper recording of revenue and assist in resolving any billing or payment issues.
- Contract Compliance:
- Assist with the reviewing contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with financial terms, funding restrictions, and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with program managers and project leads to track expenditures and monitor budgetary compliance.
- Prepare financial reports for funding agencies and assist in audits related to contract compliance.
- General Accounting:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and general ledger entries.
- Assist in month-end and year-end closing activities, including financial statement preparation and analysis.
- Collaborate with the finance team to develop and implement efficient accounting processes and procedures.
- Assist with the preparation for external audits.
- Assist with preparation of tax returns and filings including 1099 Forms and annual 403(b) plan filings.
- Financial Analysis and Reporting:
- Assist in the preparation of financial reports, budgets, and forecasts to support decision-making processes.
- Provide support for grant reporting, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and accurate financial reporting.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (preferred).
- 2-4 years of experience in accounting or financial management, preferrably in a nonprofit environment.
- Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
- Proficient in using accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with acute attention to detail.
- Self-starter with ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Passion for numbers and dedication to accuracy in financial reporting.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Frequent: bending, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, and walking.
- Intermittent lifting, pushing, and pulling. Frequent repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
- The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and extensive reading.
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.
- Contact with clients who may have behavioral and psychiatric problems including shouting, use of profanity and inappropriate behavioral choices.
- Supervision: assigned duties according to specified procedures and receives detailed instructions. Work is reviewed frequently. The employee performs a variety of routine work within established policies and procedures, and receives instructions on assignments, new policies, or projects.
- Our offices have open spaces, and thus can be loud and chaotic. While we are a working law office, the layout, as well as the nature of our work, can mean that it is louder than a “typical” office space.
- We have animals – cats and dogs – in our offices.
- Occasional need to interact with clients that may be expressing anger both appropriately and inappropriately.
- The worker is occasionally exposed to perfume or scents in personal care products used by employees, clients, and visitors.
- The worker is occasionally exposed to cleaning products.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
- The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000 depending on experience.
- Employer-paid insurance: health, vision, and dental, as well as $150,000 basic term life insurance policy, long-term disability insurance, and employee assistance program. Coverage includes 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependent spouse/domestic partner or children; when adding spouse/domestic partner and children, 100% of the child premiums and 50% of the spouse/domestic partner premiums are paid by HAC. Additional optional life insurance short-term disability, accident, and critical illness plans available.
- Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare or dependent care available.
- Subsidy for Commuter Check program.
- Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) in the amount of $200 subsidy per month for all staff who have student loans, regardless of salary or loan amount.
- 403(b) account available with employer contribution of up to 4% of annual salary.
- Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time.
TO APPLY:
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and list of three references IN ONE PDF DOCUMENT to recruitment@homelessactioncenter.org.
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
HAC is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal domicile status, veteran status, disability or AIDS/HIV status, or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.