Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant

Reports to: Controller

Classifications: Regular, Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Union (part of a bargaining unit represented by IFPTE Local 20)

Location: Berkeley office; eligible to work on a hybrid basis, subject to DRA’s operational and programmatic needs

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a non-profit civil rights law firm, is seeking a skilled, experienced Staff Accountant to join our growing in-house finance team.  The Staff Accountant position performs all daily transactional accounting to a high degree of accuracy and consistency, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the organization’s finance policies. This role assists the Controller (supervisor) with period-end closing activities and handles all staff inquiries on day-to-day bookkeeping. The Staff Accountant should have relevant accounting experience (ideally nonprofit), and must be familiar with QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Excel, email, and web platforms, particularly online payroll service and bill pay systems. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, deadline-driven, a skillful communicator, and excited about working collaboratively to make accounting work seamless and efficient to benefit the organization.

DRA advances equal rights and opportunities for people with a wide range of disabilities through high-impact litigation utilizing federal, state, and local disability law. With offices in New York, Chicago, and Berkeley, DRA fights for equal access and dramatic improvements for people with disabilities in all areas of life, including: technology, health care, employment, transportation, education, voting, juvenile justice, and housing. With a high success rate for more than 30 years, DRA continues to take on significant and novel cases to achieve a meaningful impact for people with disabilities across the nation. For more information on DRA’s mission and impact, visit www.dralegal.org.

Core Responsibilities

Day-to-Day/Weekly Bookkeeping (40%)

• Makes bank deposits to primary checking and tracks on check log; books all deposits and accounts receivable per GAAP, nonprofit accounting best practices, and organizational finance policies
• Collaborates with development department to accurately track contributions receivable
• Manages accounts receivable, including litigation revenue and payments to co-counsel
• Books income from all bank and portfolio accounts, accounts for multiple long-term reserves
• Maintains grants schedule to properly track restricted grants and donations
• Manages accounts payable, including downloading bills, accurately coding bills in the bill payment online platform, and syncing to the accounting system
• Collects, reviews, and files W9 forms for all independent contractors prior to first payment; issues new contractor reports per state regulation(s)
• Manages credit card platform, including some downloading of receipts and ensuring correct coding and syncing to the accounting system
• Fields bookkeeping inquiries from staff, such as producing case cost reports, researching payments, and obtaining receipts
• Flags unusual bank account activity or any other unusual transactions, as well as accounting mistakes and oddities, to supervisor
• Maintains well-organized accounting files, including proper documentation

Payroll Accounting (25%)

• Manages and submits payroll on time to payroll service semi-monthly, as approved by supervisor, collaborating with HR; communicating with managers; handling withholdings (including union dues); managing the 401k plan, FSA plan, workers compensation, commuter benefits plan, and any other payroll-related services
• Submits withheld union dues to ITPFE-20 semi-monthly
• Supports HR on the financial side of all employee inquiries
• Maintains all financial payroll records in our payroll service portal and on our server

Monthly Bookkeeping (20%)

• Reconciles donations on the books to the development database monthly, working closely with the development team
• Completes monthly closing tasks timely and accurately, communicating with supervisor and tracking progress in project management application
• Supports supervisor with producing monthly financial statements for the executive leadership team

Quarterly and Yearly Bookkeeping (10%)

• Enters board-approved annual budget in QuickBooks Online
• Helps supervisor prepare accurate quarterly and annual financials for the Board of Directors and staff
• Supports supervisor with producing financial reports for grant accounting purposes
• Prepares and issues annual 1099 forms in a timely and accurate manner
• Ensures accuracy of payroll service-produced form W2s and delivers to current and former employees
• Produces reports as needed for annual benefits and other yearly compliance reports
• Assists supervisor with the annual preparation of audit materials

Systems Development (5%)

• Documents accounting procedures and assists supervisor with writing finance manual
• Builds project management software templates to document and track accounting cycle duties
• Develops workflows and new internal controls practices, working closely with supervisor
• Other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of bookkeeping experience; nonprofit accounting experience preferred
• Strong understanding of accounting principles (GAAP) and financial statements
• Comfortable handling accounting in a rapidly changing environment
• Experience creating documentation of procedures
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy
• High proficiency in QuickBooks Online and Microsoft Excel
• Proficiency with BILL AP/AR (formerly Bill.com), Bill Spend & Expense (Divvy), and online payroll service systems
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and develop rapport with staff across the organization
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, organize tasks, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Ability to hold confidentiality and act with discretion, particularly regarding payroll and financial information
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization

Compensation and Benefits

DRA offers a competitive wage of $40.58 to $47.05/hour (the annual equivalent is $84,413–$97,858), depending on experience. Comprehensive, top tier benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% paid employee premiums; 4% company contribution to 401(k); competitive paid time off; disability and life insurance; long-term care; and FSA and commuter benefit plans.

How to Apply

Please email the following to jobs@dralegal.org, with “Staff Accountant” as the subject:

1. Cover letter (including how you learned about this job opening)—applications without cover letters will not be considered
2. Resume
3. Three professional references (at least two direct supervisors)

DRA is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and inclusive culture.

DRA encourages applications from all qualified individuals and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DRA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed in the hiring process, please email jobs@dralegal.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request.”

Comprehensive, top tier benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% paid employee premiums; 4% company contribution to 401(k); competitive paid time off; disability and life insurance; long-term care; and FSA and commuter benefit plans.

How to Apply

Please email the following to jobs@dralegal.org, with “Staff Accountant” as the subject:

1. Cover letter (including how you learned about this job opening)—applications without cover letters will not be considered
2. Resume
3. Three professional references (at least two direct supervisors)