Accounting Associate

The Legal Action Center (LAC) seeks a full-time Accounting Associate to support day-to-day accounting operations, including bank reconciliations, accounts receivable, funder billing, grant tracking, cash receipts, timekeeping, and audit preparation. This is a hands-on accounting role for someone with prior nonprofit bookkeeping or accounting experience who is accurate, organized, comfortable working with detailed financial records, and able to meet recurring deadlines. The position reports to the Chief Financial Officer.

The position is based in New York City. LAC has a hybrid work model that includes the opportunity to work remotely part of the time. COVID-19 vaccination and booster are preferred.

About the Legal Action Center

The Legal Action Center uses legal and policy strategies to fight discrimination, build health equity, and restore opportunities for people who use drugs, are in recovery, are living with HIV/AIDS or mental health conditions, and people with arrest or conviction records.

With offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., LAC uses a multifaceted approach to create systemic change, including impact litigation, legal services, education, and policy advocacy. LAC is also committed to advancing racial justice and equity and to centering individuals and communities directly affected by mass incarceration and health inequity in all aspects of its work.

Applicants are encouraged to learn more about LAC and its special projects by visiting our website.

Job Responsibilities

Core Accounting Responsibilities

• Reconcile organizational bank accounts, including investment accounts, and prepare related journal entries.
• Prepare and submit accurate vouchers, billings, and invoices to funders.
• Record accounts receivable invoices in the accounting system.
• Record cash receipts and electronic payments received from clients, funders, government agencies, and other sources.
• Support the monthly close of accounts receivable accounts.
• Assist with grant analysis, spenddown tracking, and grants receivable monitoring.
• Assist with cash flow reporting and analysis.
• Reconcile monthly and quarterly accounting reports with development and fundraising records.

Payroll and Timekeeping Support

• Monitor employee time reporting and follow up on incomplete or late timesheets.
• Support payroll and timekeeping activities.
• Prepare time-allocation worksheets using payroll data and grant-funded full-time equivalent percentages.
• Maintain accurate records related to payroll and grant-funded time allocation.

Audit and Compliance Support

• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation related to accounts receivable and grants receivable.
• Assist with audit preparation and respond to requests for supporting financial records.
• Prepare bi-monthly reports related to lobbying activities.
• Assist with state registration compliance.
• Coordinate documentation related to insurance renewals.
• Support grant registration and compliance requirements.
• Perform other related accounting and administrative duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least three years of nonprofit bookkeeping, accounting, or finance experience.
• Hands-on experience with accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, invoicing, and journal entries.
• Experience working in a grant-funded or fund-accounting environment.
• Intermediate Excel skills, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and reconciliation worksheets.
• Experience using accounting software.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to meet recurring deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, follow through on assigned responsibilities, and raise questions or concerns promptly.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with nonprofit compliance, state registrations, or insurance renewal processes.
• Experience preparing government funder vouchers or billings.
• Experience with nonprofit grant reporting, grants receivable, and spenddown tracking.
• Experience supporting payroll, employee timekeeping, or grant-funded time allocation.
• Experience preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation.

This Role May Be a Good Fit for You If You Have Worked As a:

• Junior Staff Accountant
• Accounting Associate
• Accounting Assistant
• Bookkeeper
• Accounts Receivable Specialist
• Grants Accounting Assistant
• Nonprofit Finance Coordinator

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. The salary range is $70,000 to $75,000 per year.

LAC offers excellent benefits, including:

• Medical insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Flexible pre-tax benefits

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF to humanresources@lac.org and write “Accounting Associate” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please briefly describe your experience with nonprofit accounting, bank reconciliations, accounts receivable, and funder billing.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only complete applications will be considered. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Legal Action Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Members of LAC’s stakeholder populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Medical Insurance, Dental, Vision, 403B, Flexible pre-tax benefits