Staff Accountant/Benefits Administrator

WFAE; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

WFAE is seeking a detail-oriented Staff Accountant to support our financial operations in Charlotte, NC. You will handle transactional accounting, membership revenue management, and employee benefits administration while ensuring accuracy and compliance.

This role requires collaboration across departments and a commitment to public service journalism. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in accounting and at least 3 years of nonprofit accounting experience, with familiarity in payroll and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive accounting experience; nonprofit accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with membership or donor database systems is preferred.
• Experience administering employee benefit programs is preferred.
• Familiarity with payroll processes and related accounting transactions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Process and maintain accounts payable, including invoice review, coding, approval tracking, and payment processing.
• Prepare and record journal entries and maintain supporting documentation.
• Reconcile bank accounts, credit card accounts, investment accounts, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Process cash receipts and ensure accurate recording of all revenue transactions.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities.
• Maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation records.
• Monitor and reconcile prepaid expenses, accrued liabilities, and other general ledger accounts.
• Assist in the preparation of financial reports and supporting schedules for management, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
• Support annual audit activities and preparation of audit workpapers.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Administer membership and donor database transactions, ensuring accurate and timely recording of contributions and membership activity.
• Reconcile membership revenue between fundraising systems and the general ledger.
• Process membership receipts, recurring gifts, pledge payments, and donor adjustments.
• Collaborate with Development and Membership teams to resolve discrepancies and improve data accuracy.
• Assist in preparing membership revenue reports and analytics.
• Support monthly reconciliation of donor and membership records to accounting records.
• Maintain documentation related to membership revenue and donor transactions.
• Assist with audit requests related to membership and contributed revenue.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and other benefit plans.
• Coordinate employee enrollments, changes, terminations, and annual open enrollment activities.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee benefit questions and vendor communications.
• Review and reconcile benefit invoices and ensure accurate payroll deductions.
• Maintain employee benefits records and documentation in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Coordinate with payroll and human resources to ensure benefit-related transactions are properly processed and recorded.
• Support compliance activities related to benefit plans and employee records.

Skills

GAAP

Excel

Analytical

Organization

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

3+ years nonprofit accounting experience

Job description

Position Summary

WFAE is seeking a detail-oriented and mission-driven Staff Accountant to support the organization's financial operations. This position is responsible for a broad range of accounting functions, including transactional accounting, financial recordkeeping, membership revenue administration, and employee benefits administration. The Staff Accountant plays a key role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial information while supporting WFAE's commitment to public service journalism and community engagement. The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, service-oriented, and comfortable working collaboratively across departments.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Transactional Accounting

• Process and maintain accounts payable, including invoice review, coding, approval tracking, and payment processing.
• Prepare and record journal entries and maintain supporting documentation.
• Reconcile bank accounts, credit card accounts, investment accounts, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Process cash receipts and ensure accurate recording of all revenue transactions.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities.
• Maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation records.
• Monitor and reconcile prepaid expenses, accrued liabilities, and other general ledger accounts.
• Assist in the preparation of financial reports and supporting schedules for management, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
• Support annual audit activities and preparation of audit workpapers.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and nonprofit accounting standards.

Membership Administration

• Administer membership and donor database transactions, ensuring accurate and timely recording of contributions and membership activity.
• Reconcile membership revenue between fundraising systems and the general ledger.
• Process membership receipts, recurring gifts, pledge payments, and donor adjustments.
• Collaborate with Development and Membership teams to resolve discrepancies and improve data accuracy.
• Assist in preparing membership revenue reports and analytics.
• Support monthly reconciliation of donor and membership records to accounting records.
• Maintain documentation related to membership revenue and donor transactions.
• Assist with audit requests related to membership and contributed revenue.

Employee Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and other benefit plans.
• Coordinate employee enrollments, changes, terminations, and annual open enrollment activities.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee benefit questions and vendor communications.
• Review and reconcile benefit invoices and ensure accurate payroll deductions.
• Maintain employee benefits records and documentation in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Coordinate with payroll and human resources to ensure benefit-related transactions are properly processed and recorded.
• Support compliance activities related to benefit plans and employee records.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Prepare special reports and analyses as requested.
• Support cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive accounting experience; nonprofit accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with membership or donor database systems is preferred.
• Experience administering employee benefit programs is preferred.
• Familiarity with payroll processes and related accounting transactions is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting software systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Commitment to WFAE's mission and public service values.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment.
• Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods.

Work modality

• Hybrid with weekly 16 hours of in-person and 24 hours of work-from-home.