Accounting Specialist

Job Title:  Accounting Specialist

Status:  Full Time Regular | Non-Exempt Employee

Summary:  The Maryland Legal Services Corporation, a nonprofit, statewide grant maker, seeks a full-time Accounting Specialist to provide day-to-day accounting operations, playing an integral role in MLSC’s internal financial controls.

Our office is in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

Following an onboarding period, the Accounting Specialist may work in a hybrid format.

About The Maryland Legal Services Corporation  

The mission of Maryland Legal Services Corporation is to ensure low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient and effective civil legal assistance through the distribution of funds to nonprofit legal services organizations.

MLSC is a legislatively created nonprofit corporation that distribute funds from the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program and other sources, for the provision of civil legal services to low-income Marylanders. In addition to IOLTA, MLSC receives funding from surcharges on certain court filing fees and a distribution from the Abandoned Property Fund. MLSC currently provides funding to 46 nonprofit grantees throughout Maryland to ensure that eligible clients in all areas of the state have access to legal assistance.  In 2021, The Maryland General Assembly established Maryland's Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) program, one of the first programs in the nation to provide tenants facing eviction with access to a free attorney.  MLSC proudly administers the ACE program, as well as several other special programs designed to increasing access to justice.

Primary Responsibilities:

Oversee and track activity in MLSC checking accounts, including daily reconciliation of all checking accounts and daily reporting of daily IOLTA Lockbox account activity.

Reconcile asset and liability accounts monthly; review activity in operating expense accounts monthly and compare actual expense to budgeted expense.

Prepare monthly bank reconciliations.

Prepare and enter monthly journal entries.

Prepare monthly financial statements.

Process and pay vendor invoices and employee expense reimbursement requests, ensuring that all necessary back-up and approvals are present before disbursements are made.  Maintain necessary files for disbursement transactions.

Assist in the preparation of the MLSC annual operating budget.

Assist in the preparation of necessary reconciliations and documents for MLSC annual Financial Audit.

Assist in the preparation of necessary reconciliations and documents for MLSC Legislative Audits, performed approximately every four years as determined by the State.

Deposit checks received as necessary, maintaining proper documentation.

Track and deposit donations received and send acknowledgement letters to donors.

Transfer donations received in the MLSC PayPal account to the Operating bank account.

Process 1099s and other tax forms.

Assist staff with upstream grant reporting, which may include creation of invoices and expenditure reports.

Prepare and send Judicare final disbursement letters to grantees.

Assist in annual reporting to the American Bar Association of grantee funding sources.

Reconcile and manage unspent funds and encumbered funds.

Prepare IOLTA Differential Letters.

Reconcile accounting records to the IOLTA database records monthly.

Perform other duties and handle projects as self-identified and/or directed by the Finance & Human Resources Director.

Qualifications/Skills:

o   Minimum level of education: Associates of Arts Degree or significant undergraduate

course work in accounting.

o   Minimum 3 years’ experience in accounting with non-profit experience preferred.

o   Excellent Excel skills required.

o   Experience with/in Microsoft Office 365, Adobe, and databases preferred.

o   Excellent attention to detail.

o   Notary Public preferred or willingness to become a Notary Public.

Reports to:  Finance & Human Resources Director

Salary/Benefits: $50,000-$60,000 salary depending on experience and skills, plus generous benefits package including health, dental, long-term disability, retirement plan and organization-paid parking/transit allowance.

To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume to Cindy Wallace, Finance and Human Resources Director, at cwallace@mlsc.org. Ensure that the subject of the email contains the job title.  Please mention where you saw this posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but please apply by May 27, 2024 for priority consideration. If selected, first round interviews will be virtual, and second round interviews will be in person at MLSC headquarters.

Reasonable Accommodations:  If you require accommodations during our hiring process, email cwallace@mlsc.org.

Equal Opportunity Employment:  The Maryland Legal Services Corporation considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant due to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.