Staff Accountant

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) - Seattle, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

COVID-19 vaccination required

Travel reimbursements

Hybrid work model

Job summary

A nonprofit organization focused on immigrant rights is seeking a full-time Staff Accountant for their Seattle office. The role involves managing accounts payable and receivable, processing payroll, and assisting with audits. Candidates should have accounting experience and a commitment to the organization's mission. Proficiency in MIP accounting software is preferred. The position supports the financial operations of multiple offices and requires excellent organizational skills along with a commitment to a diverse work environment. A minimum two-year commitment is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1+ year accounting experience, preferred in nonprofit sector.
• Knowledge and experience with GAAP accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and payroll.
• Ability to organize information in a clear and concise manner.

Responsibilities

• Manage accounts payable and receivable for the organization.
• Process bi-weekly payroll and prepare necessary tax filings.
• Assist with annual audits and tax preparation.

Skills

Commitment to immigrant rights

Accounting experience

Excellent communication skills

Strong organizational skills

GAAP knowledge

Ability to work independently

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in accounting

Tools

MIP accounting software

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

SUMMARY

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a full-time Staff Accountant to join our Finance Team based in our Seattle office. Our dedicated team of four is the backbone of financial support for all four offices of our organization, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. A minimum two-year commitment to the position is expected.

The staff accountant will share the responsibilities for accounts payable and accounts receivable functions on an accrual basis, including payments to suppliers, contractors, and employee reimbursements as well as payroll functions. Proficiency in payroll processing software, SAP Concur, and MIP accounting software is highly desirable.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accounts Payable (AP)
  • Receive and record invoices, employees’ reimbursement and check request forms with proper supervisor approval and backup documentation.
  • Pay invoices, check requests and employees’ reimbursement requests by printing checks (or uploading ACH payments). Obtain authorized signatures for checks and distribution.
  • Ensure all expenses have proper backup, received either in hardcopy or electronically before payment (invoice, check request, supervisor approval, and documentation of goods received or services performed) and coordinate proper coding of expenses.
  • Set up new vendors before payment, obtaining W-9 forms and coding as 1099 vendors when appropriate and setting up to receive ACH payments when requested/authorized. Issue 1099-MISC forms annually.
  • Receive monthly downloaded credit card expenses and send out to cardholders using the credit card expense form for coding into MIP. Communicate with staff on missing receipts and descriptions.
  • Ensure accurate filing/recordkeeping for all AP payments and backup documentation whether via check, ACH or online payments. Whenever possible/practical promote conversion to electronic format.
  • Maintain security of check stock and order as needed.
  • Reconcile quarterly and ensure the correct contents/balance of General Ledger balance sheet accounts for which one of the Staff Accountants is the primary user, e.g., prepaid expenses, credit card payable, employee receivables.
  • Review stale checks and reprocess as necessary.
• Accounts Receivable (AR)
  • Record cash receipts activity to ensure proper coding, booking of all revenues and receivables, in coordination with Development and the Finance Director.
  • Record pledges receivable and reconcile the same with the subsidiary records in the Raiser’s Edge fundraising software in coordination with the Development Unit; ensure proper period and year end cut-off for posting of pledge revenue.
  • Write-off of pledges receivable to the allowance for doubtful accounts, in coordination with the Development Unit and with Finance Director approval. Generate and record billings for other receivables as requested by the Finance Director.
  • Reconcile bank and investment accounts monthly to the general ledger to ensure proper coding and documentation.
  • Prepare and maintain a monthly investment roll-forward schedule.
  • Maintain and record in-kind contributions for internal volunteer hours in coordination with the Grants and Contracts Director for attorney in-kind services.
  • Maintain orderly electronic and paper records of AR transactions, and work with the other staff accountants to help to implement records organization, retention, and storage.
  • Reconcile balance sheet accounts for accounts receivable and payroll accounts at least quarterly, as well as assisting with other reconciliations as requested by the Finance Director.
• Other Responsibilities
  • Prepare, process and review bi-weekly payroll for all staff, including calculating step increases, compensatory and overtime payout, vacation payout, supervision bonuses and retroactive pay when necessary.
  • Assist with the annual audit and tax preparation, including preparation of audit and tax schedules, compiling documents for review and responding to requests from auditors and tax preparers, as requested by the Finance Director.
  • Record accounting entries for, and maintain spreadsheet summaries of, fixed assets and depreciation annually.
  • Prepare quarterly tax filings (L & I and B & O) and annual filings with the State and local governments for corporate and charitable registrations; maintain the list of all required quarterly and annual required government filings.
  • Coordinate with the Finance Director to ensure fiscal deadlines and timelines are met.
  • Prepare adjusting journal entries as needed or at the request of the Finance Director.
  • Other duties and tasks as assigned by the Finance Director.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and eagerness to support NWIRP’s mission, vision and values.
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in accounting preferred, but equivalent experience will be considered;
• Minimum of 1+ year accounting experience, accounting experience in nonprofit sector preferred;
• Knowledge and experience with GAAP accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and payroll;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to organize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work with detailed information with a high degree of accuracy;
• Ability to be accurate and meet deadlines in a high-volume setting;
• Ability to learn and follow procedures quickly;
• Commitment to working in a diverse working environment;
• Embraces process improvement and is comfortable making recommendations;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to work independently and as a team player;
• Familiarity with MIP (or ability to learn), online payroll systems, web-based software, MS Word and Excel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; utilize a phone, computer, keyboard, pen, and paper. Occasional work on night and weekend hours. Travel may be required. Travel reimbursements apply.

COVID POLICIES

Under NWIRP’s current COVID policies, new staff members must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (unless eligible for an exemption). Staff may choose to wear a face mask in the workplace, but it is not currently required. At the time of this posting, NWIRP staff is operating in a hybrid model, and some in-office work will be expected of this position (at least two full days per week).

REPORTS TO

Finance Director

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please upload a single-file document on our Careers Page containing your cover letter, resume, and a list of (3) references.

In your cover letter, please address: How your personal or professional experiences qualify you for this role.

Please note that only applications containing all three required documents as a single file document will be reviewed and considered.

Full consideration will be given to those who apply by September 27, 2024, but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.