Senior Accountant

Title: Senior Accountant

Reports To: Controller or Grants and Contracts Financial Manager

Department: Finance and Accounting

Location: Oakland, CA

Schedule: Monday through Friday

Travel: Local travel may be required

Salary: $98,000-$105,00 DOE

Employee Status: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

Union: N/A

Supervises: N/A

Benefits:

Two weeks of paid vacation a year, sick time, 14 holidays, up to five floating holidays based on employee status, medical and dental benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, life insurance policy at no cost to employee (with the option of increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer match, and other benefits. We foster a joyful workplace and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.

Agency Summary

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with a 60-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.

Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 11,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include: early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Concord. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 350 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant performs the full range of accounting functions for assigned areas of responsibility which could include General Accounting and Banking, Grants Accounting, Real Estate and Property Management Accounting, or Budgeting and requires knowledge of accounting principles and practices as well as specific principles and practices related to the assigned functional area of responsibility.

The Senior Accountant class is distinguished from positions in lower Accountant classifications in that the Senior Accountant assumes responsibility for a wider scope of operation and is involved in many phases of complex accounting and financial management, which may involve supervising professional and clerical staff. The Senior Accountant may also serve as a subject matter expert in a particular area and is held accountable for complete proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and directs the work of subordinate employees engaged in the preparation and maintenance of varied accounting and financial functional areas and programs, which may include accounting ledgers, banking and cash management, investments and debt management, grants and donations, real estate financing, fixed assets, budgets, payroll ledgers, and associated financial and accounting systems to ensure integrity and accuracy of systems, accounts, and reporting.
• Performs the more complex accounting work involved in maintaining accounting controls, procedures and processes, and preparing detailed financial reports in conformance with funding and compliance requirements.
• Maintains and reconciles a variety of ledgers, registers, journals, systems, and other records necessary for the accounting activities of the assigned function, programs and areas of responsibility.
• Maintains current knowledge of accounting, auditing and reporting regulations, policies and procedures related to assigned areas of responsibilities; recommends changes to accounting structures, policies, procedures, and systems to ensure compliance with funders and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates activities such as development processes and procedures for accounting period and fiscal year-end closing, and preparation of financial statements. Develops and implements policies and procedures and prepares documentation for accounting and financial systems to maintain accuracy and conformance to legal and procedural requirements.
• Coordinates activities with representatives of external auditors, funders, compliance/regulatory agencies, vendors and contractors, and others.
• Serves as consultant with departments by responding to inquiries concerning accounting methods and procedures; confers with department personnel on accounting, and financial reporting, and budgeting questions and problems. Explains the implications of complex accounting matters to non-financial managers and decision makers.
• Recommends the selection of subordinate professional and clerical staff and evaluates their performance, and plans, assigns, reviews, and approves their work.
• Provides orientation and training on accounting processes and procedures, user training for financial systems, and financial reporting and compliance requirements for subordinate employees and staff of other departments/programs to assure knowledge transfer and conformance to organization, funder, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepares reports with recommendations and makes presentations for assigned areas. Maintains accurate records and files related to areas of assignment.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

• The knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through possession of a bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, Auditing or a closely related field; and four (4) years of professional experience in accounting or auditing work.
• Possession of a master's degree in accounting, master's degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting, or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, may substitute for one (1) year of experience; or;
• Possession of sixty (60) semester units or ninety (90) quarter units of college of which twelve (12) semester units or fifteen (15) quarter units must be in accounting and/or auditing; and six (6) years of professional experience in accounting or auditing work, at least four (4) years of which should be at a journey level accountant.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to obtain and maintain a County driver authorization.
• Some positions may require Live Scan screening as part of the background check process.
• Theory, principles and practices of accounting and auditing along with their application to governmental accounting and budgeting.
• Laws and regulations governing the financial operations of the County, special districts and the assigned department.
• Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and specifically Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements, Interpretations, and Technical Bulletins.
• County financial policies and procedures and applicable departmental policies and procedures.
• Concepts, systems and terminology of accounting and budget systems.
• Office management practices and procedures, including recordkeeping systems.
• Principles and practices of supervision and personnel management.
• Accounting systems, software applications and spreadsheets.

Ability to

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with subordinates, co-workers, management, the public and others contacted in the course of work.
• Plan, direct and evaluate the activities of the accounting function.
• Identify, analyze and evaluate complex problems and propose solutions.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Plan and direct the work of others.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Understand and apply relevant principles, laws, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Audit, analyze and evaluate complex financial and statistical data.
• Prepare, maintain and reconcile a variety of complex accounting and financial records, documents and reports.
• Use various computer applications and software in support of accounting activities.

Essential Functions

Physical position requirements; machines and/or equipment used:

• Regularly required to operate standard office equipment (personal computer, photocopier, calculator, fax machine, etc.);
• Ability to work on a computer for up to 8 hours per day;
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, with periodic breaks;
• Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and other office equipment;
• Occasionally you may be required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and carry or lift files and/or one or two reams of copy paper.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Background Check

This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time.

Please submit your cover letter and resume.

The Unity Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.