Staff Accountant

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA), a non-profit that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families to ensure equal access to justice and strengthen Philadelphia’s communities, is seeking an experienced, mission-oriented Staff Accountant. The Staff Accountant reports to the Director of Finance, who leads a 3-person finance and accounting team and oversees the strategic and operational aspects of the financial, accounting, and budgeting functions of our organization. PLA has an annual budget of $10 million.

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant supports the day-to-day accounting operations of the organization, with primary responsibility for accounts payable, cash disbursements, and general accounting functions. This position plays an important role in maintaining accurate financial records, supporting grant compliance, and assisting with monthly close and annual audit activities. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a desire to grow into a broader accounting role within a nonprofit environment.

Responsibilities

• Process vendor invoices through Bill.com and NetSuite
• Verify coding for proper account, department, class, and funding source
• Prepare weekly payment batches
• Maintain vendor records and W-9 documentation
• Resolve vendor inquiries in a professional and timely manner
• Monitor outstanding liabilities and aging invoices
• Prepare journal entries
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts
• Assist with monthly and year-end close
• Maintain prepaid expense and fixed asset schedules
• Assist with payroll reconciliations
• Prepare supporting schedules for financial reporting
• Assist with grant expense tracking
• Review transactions for allowability under grant agreements
• Maintain documentation supporting grant expenditures
• Assist with audit requests and supporting schedules
• Support compliance with federal and state funding requirements
• Identify unusual transactions and investigate discrepancies
• Analyze account activity for accuracy and completeness
• Assist with variance analysis
• Recommend improvements to accounting processes, and internal controls.
• Participate in special projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• 2–5 years of accounting experience, preferably in the non-profit industry
• Strong understanding of GAAP
• Experience with ERP or accounting software
• Excellent Excel skills
• Strong organizational and analytical abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Grant accounting experience
• Experience with NetSuite, preferred
• Experience with Bill.com, preferred

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds to apply. PLA does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, PLA complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

PLA offers an excellent benefit package that includes fully paid health insurance premiums for employee and dependents; cash incentives for health insurance opt out; vision; dental; vacation, personal, and sick leave; thirteen (13) paid holidays; 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions; paid parental leave; life insurance; and short- and long-term disability benefits.