Senior Staff Accountant

Alternatives Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 58,225 - 78,775; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Cross Medical/Dental/Vision

403(b) retirement plan

Holidays

Paid Time Off

10 weeks Paid Parental Leave

EAP

Leadership Pipeline

Job summary

Alternatives Inc. in Chicago, IL seeks a Senior Staff Accountant to support day-to-day accounting for government grants and corporate finance functions. You will prepare vouchers, assist with month-end close, and ensure accurate funder invoicing.

The role emphasizes integrity, cross-department collaboration, and compliance with GAAP. Experience with government grants and SAGE Intacct is highly valued, with a focus on not-for-profit accounting.

Qualifications

• Experience in not-for-profit accounting is required.
• Ability to work across departments and maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of government grants and compliance is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day accounting tasks including grant vouchers and month-end close.
• Track government contract submissions and grant payments and follow up.
• Review bills and prepare payable entries and ensure proper funder invoicing.
• Maintain balance sheet schedules and assist with accounts payable.

Skills

Not-for-profit accounting

GAAP

Experience with government grants

Education

Bachelor's degree in accountancy

Tools

SAGE Intacct

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Senior Staff Accountant Reports to: Controller

Status: Full-time; Exempt,

Benefits Eligible: Blue Cross Medical/Dental/Vision, 403(b) retirement plan, Holidays, Paid Time Off, 10 weeks Paid Parental Leave, EAP, Leadership Pipeline

Salary

$68,500

Alternatives

Overview Our mission is to inspire young people to create a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems. Since 1971, Alternatives has modeled innovative alternatives to the status quo in Chicago's youth services field. Our school and community-based therapy, prevention and leadership development programs support young people to individually and collectively to address causes of substance abuse, grief and trauma while building social-emotional, career and social change skills. In addition to working directly with young people, we train, coach and advocate for youth-serving institutions like Chicago Public Schools to be restorative and trauma-informed.

Purpose Overview

The Senior Staff Accountant is to help with the day-to-day activities of the accounting department; this includes preparation of the vouchers for government grants. Tracks governmental contract submissions and payments and follow up. Perform other entries as assigned by the Controller. Review of bills before submission to funders for billings that are not grant related such as Chicago Public Schools for services rendered by Training and Coaching staff. Assists with the month end close; and assists with the accounts payable process.

Responsibilities

Perform the following from a racial, gender, sexuality, and ability equity lens:

• Meet weekly with the Supervisor to discuss workflow and receivables.
• Prepare vouchers for grants, which include City of Chicago, State of Illinois, Cook County, CPS and other contracts as assigned.
• Timely submission of all approved vouchers to funders
• Full cycle process of accounts receivable including collections, reconciliations, revisions, and recording
• Supports Controller and program management tracking monthly budgets
• Works with program staff to ensure that expenses for contracts are properly accounted for in the accounting system.
• Maintains on-going schedules on Balance Sheet, including but not limited to depreciation, accounts receivables, prepaid expenses, restricted revenue and payroll.
• Build positive workplace relationships and work as a collaborative and reliable team member within Alternatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in not-for-profit accounting.
• Bachelor's degree in accountancy
• Organized
• Have the ability to work well across departments.
• Experience working with government grants is mandatory.
• Knowledge of GAAP based accounting
• Experience in SAGE Intacct accounting software is wanted but not required
• 3 - 5 years of accounting experience is required
• Consistently learning and working within the following frameworks: Anti-oppression, Positive Youth Development, Trauma-informed and Balanced and Restorative Justice.
• Committed to working in a community-based, youth-centered organization, with flexibility, cultural responsiveness, and a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all employees to the full extent permissible under applicable law.
• Salary Description
• 68,500