Nonprofit Staff Accountant - Month-End Close

ALA Brand; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Medical and dental coverage

Paid time off

Retirement annuity

35-hour work week

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The American Library Association (ALA) is seeking a detail-oriented Staff Accountant to support the Finance & Accounting department in Chicago. You will prepare journal entries, perform reconciliations, and assist with month-end close and the annual audit, ensuring accurate financial records and reliable reporting.

This full-time, exempt role operates in a hybrid Chicago office environment with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and cross-department collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
• A minimum of two years of relevant accounting experience
• Strong attention to detail and analytical ability
• Solid working knowledge of GAAP and accounting principles
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting systems, with experience in Microsoft Dynamics GP preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadline-driven priorities, particularly during month-end and year-end close
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential financial and membership data
• Nonprofit or association accounting experience
• Experience with membership or CRM systems such as iMIS

Responsibilities

• Preparing and submitting journal entries and monthly account reconciliations, serving as liaison between Accounting and other ALA departments, and ensuring assigned transactions are recorded accurately to support the month-end close process
• Performing daily ecommerce reconciliation, reviewing and reconciling credit card payments, and researching and resolving credit card charge inquiries
• Overseeing credit report activity in iMIS and recording banking activity related to monthly entries
• Performing reconciliations of select Balance Sheet accounts and responding to accounting questions, concerns and requests from staff and members
• Assisting with year-end close and the annual audit by preparing requested reports and supporting schedules and projects
• Serving as backup support for other Accounting/Finance staff as needed to maintain continuity of department operations

Skills

Journal entries

GAAP

Microsoft Excel

Accounting systems

Month-end close

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Job description

The American Library Association (ALA) is seeking a detail-oriented Staff Accountant to support the Finance & Accounting department in Chicago. You will prepare journal entries, perform reconciliations, and assist with month-end close and the annual audit, ensuring accurate financial records and reliable reporting.

This full-time, exempt role operates in a hybrid Chicago office environment with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and cross-department collaboration.