Accounting Specialist 1

Baptist Church Media Center; Georgia; On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Elizabeth Baptist Church seeks an Accounting Specialist I to support the Finance Department by handling AP, AR, payroll, reconciliations, and financial reporting in a nonprofit church setting. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, strong Excel skills, GAAP knowledge, and the ability to work independently and with ministry leaders to ensure accurate records and compliant processes.

Experience with church management systems is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent required.
• 0–2 years accounting experience, preferably in nonprofit, church, or government.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required; experience with accounting software and church management systems preferred.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and understanding of internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Process accounts payable accurately and timely, including vendor invoicing and 1099 reporting.
• Record accounts receivable and monthly offerings from staff payroll.
• Process payroll accurately and maintain payroll records.
• Prepare monthly journal entries and bank reconciliations; reconcile balance sheet accounts.
• Assist with month-end close, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Support audits and ensure compliance with GAAP and church policies.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

GAAP knowledge

Payroll processing

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Accounting software

Church management software

Job description

The Accounting Specialist I supports the Finance Department by performing a broad range of accounting, payroll, and financial reporting responsibilities. This position is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, processing payroll, managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, preparing reconciliations, assisting with the monthly close process, and providing analytical support to the Controller and CFO. The Accounting Specialist also assists with the annual budgeting process, assisting with external audits, and ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), internal policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accounts Payable

• Process vendor invoices and check requisitions accurately and timely.
• Verify coding and approvals before payment.
• Prepare weekly check runs and electronic payments.
• Maintain vendor files and W-9 documentation.
• Respond to vendor inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing and payment policies.
• Prepare annual Form 1099 reporting.

Accounts Receivable

• Record online giving transactions.
• Record monthly offerings from staff payroll
• Assist ministries and departments with billing questions.
• Scan manual check deposits

Payroll Administration

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule.
• Maintain payroll records.
• Process new hires, salary adjustments, deductions, and terminations.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax laws and employment regulations.
• Reconcile payroll accounts, including bi-weekly payroll journals
• Assist with year-end payroll reporting, including Forms W-2.

General Accounting

• Prepare monthly journal entries.
• Perform bank reconciliations.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts.
• Assist with fixed asset accounting.
• Maintain accounting records in accordance with GAAP and church policies.

Month-End Close

• Assist the CFO with monthly financial close.
• Prepare account reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Help prepare monthly financial reports.
• Utilize advanced Microsoft Excel functions for analysis and reporting.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports.
• Assist with budget reporting.

Special Projects

• Assist with the implementation of new accounting processes.
• Participate in software upgrades and system testing.
• Support internal control initiatives.
• Complete special assignments from the Controller, CFO, or Finance leadership.

Supervisory responsibilities

None.

Work environment

Professional church office environment with frequent interaction with employees, ministry leaders, vendors, and executive leadership.

Primarily sedentary work with occasional lifting up to 25 pounds and movement throughout church facilities.

Minimal local travel for meetings, training, conferences, and ministry events.

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Experience

• 0 to 2 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit, church, or governmental environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required; experience with accounting software, church management and financial systems is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required; experience with accounting software, church management and financial systems is preferred.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of payroll processing.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High degree of integrity and confidentiality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Faith-Based Employment Statement

Elizabeth Baptist Church is a Christ-centered ministry committed to advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a religious organization, the Church reserves the right to employ individuals whose beliefs, values, and conduct are consistent with its mission, Statement of Faith, and sincerely held religious beliefs, as permitted by applicable federal and state law. All employees are expected to support the mission and ministry of Elizabeth Baptist Church and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects Christian character and biblical principles.

4245 Cascade Rd SW
City of South Fulton, GA 30331
(404)-691-3146
Service Times
Sundays: 7:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. (In-person and Online)
6:00 p.m. (Online Only) @ live.elizabethbaptist.org