Senior Accountant

Description

Join a Mission that Matters:

Connecting people with disabilities to ever-greater possibilities for learning, jobs and safe places to call home...

Reporting directly to the Controller, the Senior Accountant plays a critical role in managing the organization’s day-to-day financial operations, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records. This position leads month-end and year-end close activities, prepares and analyzes financial reports, coordinates audit and compliance efforts, and ensures adherence to GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.

The Senior Accountant collaborates closely with the AP & Payroll Manager, Entitlement Specialist, and Grant Compliance Specialist to strengthen financial controls, support informed decision-making, and advance the organization’s mission. This is an ideal role for a detail-oriented, mission-driven accounting professional who thrives in a collaborative nonprofit environment.

Key Responsibilities

The following responsibilities represent the primary duties of the position. Other related duties necessary to meet the needs of the organization may be assigned, including location or shift assignments.

General Accounting & Financial Operations (50%)

· Partner with the Controller to execute monthly reconciliations of general ledger accounts in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards

· Prepare, review, and post monthly journal entries, including accruals, allocations, and adjusting entries

· Lead the execution of monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes

· Independently perform monthly bank, credit card, and balance sheet reconciliations

· Produce and analyze internal financial statements and management reports

Budgeting & Financial Analysis (20%)

· Collaborate with the Controller on budget development, forecasting, and variance analysis

· Monitor and analyze departmental spending, identifying variances, trends, and potential risks

· Implement and maintain cost allocation methodologies across programs and funding sources

Audit & Compliance (20%)

· Coordinate annual financial audit preparation and serve as a primary liaison for auditor requests

· Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of restricted funds in collaboration with the Finance team

· Prepare and review grant reporting, including expenditure support and reconciliations, in compliance with funder, state, and federal requirements

· Maintain and strengthen internal controls and financial documentation to ensure compliance with organizational policies

· Drive process improvements to enhance financial controls, accuracy, and operational efficiency

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support (10%)

· Work closely with the AP & Payroll Manager to ensure accurate expense coding and payroll allocations

· Coordinate with the Entitlement Specialist to reconcile client-related revenue and benefits

· Provide accounting support and guidance to program and administrative staff as needed

Requirements

Required Qualifications

· High School diploma or GED plus a minimum of three (3) years of accounting work experience

· Knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles

· Experience with general ledger accounting and account reconciliations

· Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

· Valid Illinois driver’s license with a good driving record

Preferred Qualifications

· Associate’s Degree in Accounting

· Experience working with grants, restricted funds, or government contracts

· Familiarity with nonprofit financial statements, including Statements of Financial Position, Activities, and Functional Expenses

· Experience with accounting systems such as MIP, Intacct, NetSuite, or similar platforms

Competencies & Behaviors

· Communication: Effectively communicates at all levels of the organization through oral, written, and presentation formats

· Attention to Detail: Demonstrates strong accuracy and precision in recording and analyzing financial information

· Customer Orientation: Passion for providing responsive, high-quality internal customer service and follow-up

· Collaboration: Works effectively as part of a team with shared goals and mutual accountability

· Organization & Time Management: Ability to prioritize, multitask, and perform effectively in an environment with frequent interruptions

· Project Management: Sets clear goals, creates structured plans, manages timelines, meets deadlines, and seeks continuous improvement

· Interpersonal Skills: Engages respectfully and professionally with team members, families, and external partners

Aspire Values (POWER):

P = We believe anything is possible

· Empower others to achieve their dreams

· Be open to new ideas 

· Offer solutions to solve problems

O = We all own it 

· Be a team player and lend a hand to others

· Speak up when you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right 

· Show pride and take care of Aspire

W = We welcome everyone 

· Greet everybody and be friendly

· Embrace diversity and celebrate belonging

· Treat others how you would like to be treated

E = We evolve and try new things 

· Help think of new ways to make Aspire better

· Seek feedback from others to improve

· Accept mistakes and learn from them. 

R = We build powerful relationships

· Show respect and build trust

· Be timely in responding to one another

· Take the time to get to know one another