Sr. Accountant

Talentify; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 61,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Retirement fund participation

Inclusive and equitable work culture

Career advancement opportunities

Employee discounts and memberships

Job summary

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is seeking a Senior Accountant to ensure financial integrity and donor compliance. You will perform reconciliations, manage capital expenditures, and support grant accounting and financial reporting under GAAP.

This is a full-time role in Chicago with generous benefits. Under the VP of Accounting/Controller and Grants Administration, you will interact with external auditors and government agencies, contributing to a strong control environment and reliable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA designation desirable but not required.
• 3–5 years in accounting, nonprofit experience preferred.
• GAAP knowledge and nonprofit/fund accounting understanding.
• Experience with grant compliance (Uniform Guidance / 2 CFR Part 200).

Responsibilities

• Perform monthly reconciliations for bank, investment, and grant accounts.
• Administer capital expenditure approvals and track related funding.
• Record fixed assets, depreciation, and grant-related capitalization.
• Prepare journal entries and assist month-end/year-end close.
• Support audit processes and grants management reporting.
• Strengthen internal controls over cash handling, investments, and capex.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Excel proficiency

Data organization

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Blackbaud

NetSuite

Great Plains

Job description

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is dedicated to creating long-lasting positive change, whether it’s through health and wellbeing, early education, violence prevention, or one of our other programs and services. We’re looking for talented individuals who are committed to empowering our community by creating a safe and welcoming environment that encourages growth and support — individuals like you!

Under the direct supervision of the VP of Accounting/Controller and Grants Administration, the Senior Accountant will be responsible for providing excellent customer service to internal and external clients. The Senior Accountant is also externally facing with government agencies, external auditors, and bankers.

The Senior Accountant supports the financial integrity of the organization by performing detailed reconciliations of bank and investment accounts and managing the full lifecycle of capital expenditures. This role ensures compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, donor restrictions, and grant requirements, while maintaining accurate financial records and strong internal controls. The position collaborates closely with finance, grants management, and program teams.

Salary starts at $72,000 per year, includes full-time benefits, and opportunities to grow within the organization

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and the passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Opportunity for eligible employees to participate in the Y's retirement fund
• Be part of a team that is passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all staff, volunteers, and members
• Do meaningful work and contribute to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities
• Complimentary Adult YMCA membership and an employee discount on select programs
• Career advancement opportunities - grow your career at the Y!

Responsibilities

Cash & Investment Reconciliations:

• Perform monthly reconciliations for all bank accounts, including operating, restricted, and grant-specific accounts.
• Reconcile investment accounts and endowments, including tracking purchases, sales, earnings (interest/dividends), unrealized gains/losses, and fees.
• Ensure proper classification of restricted vs. unrestricted funds in reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Maintain detailed reconciliation support for audit and donor compliance purposes.
• Coordinate with external investment managers, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders.

Capital Expenditure (CapEx) & Fixed Asset Management

• Administer and monitor the capital expenditure approval process in alignment with internal policies and grant/donor restrictions.
• Ensure capital purchases are allowable under grant agreements and properly documented.
• Track CapEx budgets, funding sources (including restricted funds), and expenditures.
• Record fixed asset additions, disposals, and transfers, ensuring proper funding source classification.
• Maintain fixed asset schedules with clear linkage to grants or donor-restricted funds, where applicable.
• Calculate and record depreciation in compliance with nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP).

Grant & Fund Accounting Support

• Ensure capital expenditures and investment activity are accurately recorded in accordance with fund accounting principles.
• Support tracking and reporting of restricted funds related to capital assets and investments.
• Assist with grant reporting requirements related to capital spending and asset use.
• Collaborate with the grants management team to ensure compliance with federal, state, and donor requirements.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Prepare journal entries for cash activity, investments, and fixed assets.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes.
• Assist in preparation of financial statements and supporting schedules, including statements of financial position and activities.
• Provide audit support, including preparation of schedules for auditors and compliance reporting (e.g., Uniform Guidance, if applicable).
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, internal controls, and organizational policies.
• Prepare daily cash related reports
• Update annual and monthly trust/LIC reports
• Assist in the preparation of reports as required

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Strengthen internal controls over cash handling, investments, and capital expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with donor restrictions and grant agreements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline reconciliation and CapEx processes.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation of accounting procedures and workflows.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Preferred 3-5 years or more work experience in accounting (non-profit sector). Payroll and Accounts Payable experience is a plus.
• CPA designation desirable, but not required.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, with understanding of nonprofit/fund accounting principles.
• Experience managing restricted funds and grant compliance requirements.
• Ability to organize data and prioritize multiple, competing priorities to maximize personal and team effectiveness.
• Experience with grant compliance (e.g., Uniform Guidance / 2 CFR Part 200).
• Preferred experience with ERP systems such as Blackbaud, NetSuite, Great Plains and or similar nonprofit accounting platforms.
• Proficiency in Excel is a must
• Experience in Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint is desirable.
• Commitment to, and a passion for, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s mission
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Team competencies in previous experience or practice

Child Abuse Prevention

Support the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training, as required

Qualifications

Education

Preferred

Bachelors

Behaviors

Preferred

Functional Expert:Considered a thought leader on a subject

Detail Oriented:Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

Financial:Inspired to perform well by monetary reimbursement

Goal Completion:Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.