Senior Accountant

ALA Brand; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

PTO

Retirement plan

PSLF program

Job summary

American Library Association in Chicago seeks a Senior Accountant to maintain the integrity of the general ledger, prepare journal entries, and perform analytical reviews. You will participate in the annual audit, document internal controls, and help convert to a new ERP system.

You will supervise a staff accountant and support the CFO with budgeting and special projects, in a hybrid work environment with a strong emphasis on processes and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of senior accountant–level GL experience, not-for-profit preferred.
• Strong GAAP knowledge, including net asset classification.
• Experience supporting financial statement audits and audit schedules.
• Proficiency with accounting/ERP systems and advanced Excel.
• Analytical judgment to identify discrepancies and resolve issues.
• Excellent organization to balance recurring close deadlines with ad hoc work.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly and annual balance sheet reconciliations and journal entries including prepaid expenses, grants, travel, and fixed assets.
• Analyze general ledger accounts and related activity; identify discrepancies and propose corrective actions.
• Coordinate all aspects of the annual financial statement audit and support external auditors.
• Document accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls; support system improvements.
• Assist the CFO with budgeting, HR analyses, and monthly/quarterly/annual projects.
• Serve as backup for routine accounting functions during staff absences.

Skills

Analytical judgment

General ledger analysis

Organization & prioritization

GAAP knowledge

Audit support

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting or Finance

CPA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

Excel (advanced)

ERP systems

Job description

The Senior Accountant maintains the integrity of ALA's general ledger through account reconciliation, journal entry preparation, and analytical review, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting for the Association. This position plays a key role in the annual financial statement audit and in developing and documenting accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls. This position will also supervise a staff accountant. The Senior Accountant also provides analytical and administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer in budgeting, human resources, and special projects, exercising independent judgment to identify and resolve accounting discrepancies.

This is an exciting time to join the Finance team: ALA is transitioning to a new ERP system, and this role will play a hands‑on part in the conversion, helping reconcile data across platforms and shape improved processes for the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Account Reconciliation and Journal Entries: Prepare monthly and annual balance sheet account reconciliations; prepare recurring and ad hoc journal entries, including prepaid expenses, grants, travel, and fixed assets (40%)
• General Ledger Analysis and Review: Analyze general ledger accounts and related activity; identify discrepancies and recommend corrective action; calculate selected budgeted data (20%)
• Audit Coordination and Support: Participate in all aspects of the annual financial statement audit; prepare schedules and documentation, and serve as a resource for external auditors (15%)
• Process Documentation and Internal Controls: Coordinate standardized documentation of finance and accounting policies, procedures, and job responsibilities; support system enhancements, process improvements, and the F&A staff support site (10%)
• CFO and Organizational Support: Assist the CFO with human resources analyses, benefits calculations for budgeting, budget preparation, and monthly, quarterly, and annual projects as assigned (10%)
• Backup Coverage and Other Duties: Serve as backup for routine accounting functions during staff absences; perform other duties as assigned (5%)

This is a regular full-time, exempt position based in our Chicago office.

ALA staff are currently working on a hybrid schedule. Please note that although we have a generous telecommuting policy for our employees, we do not have fully remote positions outside of our workplace sites.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Salary & Benefits

Starting salary range is negotiable from $85k based on relevant experience. ALA offers an excellent benefits package that includes flexible work schedules, medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, a retirement annuity and a 35-hour work week. You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Requirements

• Degree in Accounting or Finance required; advanced degree or CPA a plus
• 5 years of senior accountant -level general ledger accounting experience, preferably in a not-for-profit environment
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, including nonprofit concepts such as net asset classification, restricted and unrestricted funds, and functional expense allocation
• Experience supporting financial statement audits, including preparation of audit schedules and work papers
• Proficiency with accounting/ERP systems and advanced Excel skills
• Strong analytical judgment: able to identify discrepancies, form a hypothesis about the cause, and know when to resolve independently.
• Excellent organization and prioritization skills; able to balance recurring close deadlines with ad hoc projects and audit requests

The American Library Association is an equal opportunity employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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