Accountant

montanalegalservices; Helena (MT); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Montana Legal Services is seeking an Accountant to support daily operations of a nonprofit legal aid organization. You will handle general ledger activities for grant-funded programs, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and proper reporting.

The role favors candidates who are organized, detail-oriented, and dedicated to expanding access to justice for underserved communities. Responsibilities include closing processes, bank reconciliations, grant expenditure monitoring, payroll allocations, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2–5 years of accounting experience, preferably nonprofit/grant accounting.
• Proficiency in Excel and accounting systems (MIP, Sage Intacct, Blackbaud or similar).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple grants and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with closing processes, including accruals, adjusting entries, and financial statement prep.
• Reconcile bank and balance sheet accounts monthly and resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor grant expenditures to ensure compliance with budgets, cost principles, and funding restrictions.
• Assist with payroll process, including allocations between funding sources.
• Cross-train with accounts payable, payroll and reviewing to serve as backup.
• Support annual audits and grant-specific audits by preparing schedules, documentation, and responses.
• Ensure expenses align with grant agreements and maintain supporting documentation for audits.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Grant accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

MIP

Sage Intacct

Blackbaud

Job description

The Accountant plays a key role in supporting the daily operations of a nonprofit legal aid organization dedicated to expanding access to justice. This role focuses on general ledger activities to support the financial management of grant-funded programs while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and proper reporting. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to the mission of legal aid, with a genuine interest in serving underserved communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with closing processes, including accruals, adjusting entries, and financial statement preparation.
• Reconcile bank accounts and other balance sheet accounts monthly and resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor grant expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budgets, cost principles, and funding restrictions.
• Assist with payroll process, including allocations between funding sources.
• Cross train with accounts payable, payroll and reviewing, to serve as a backup.
• Support annual audits and grant-specific audits by preparing schedules, documentation, and responses.
• Ensure expenses align with grant agreements and regulations; maintain supporting documentation for audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2–5 years of accounting experience, preferably in nonprofit or grant accounting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting systems (e.g., MIP, Sage Intacct, Blackbaud, or similar).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple grants and deadlines simultaneously.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Knowledge of fund accounting and cost allocation methodologies.
• Familiarity with nonprofit financial reporting and restricted funds.
• Experience working in a nonprofit, legal, or social services environment.

Mission Alignment

• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the mission of legal aid and expanding access to justice.
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially with multiple timelines within a decentralized statewide law firm.
• Sensitivity to the needs of low-income and vulnerable populations.
• Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Respect for confidentiality and strong ethical judgment.

Work Environment

• Hybrid work environment.
• Primarily sedentary and performed in an office environment, requiring regular computer use and the ability to alternate between sitting and standing at a workstation for most of the workday.