Project Accountant, Finance

Location: Washington, DC

Application Deadline: When filled

*Please Note: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework/in-person schedule. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.

Summary

This is a mid-senior-level position responsible for all aspects of accounting related to field office program expenses for the assigned projects and/or departments. This individual will be the primary contact for field office accountants regarding all financial matters and the Program Officers regarding project-related financial and budgetary matters.

The Project Accountant (Level P2 or P3 depending on experience) will independently audit field office financial reports to ensure that all expenses incurred are in accordance with USG regulations and Solidarity Center’s Field Office Accounting policy and procedures; and within grant and budgetary guidelines. This individual will provide guidance and instructions in writing or verbally to local accountants on various accounting matters to comply with Field Accounting policy and procedures (and at the P3 level will develop necessary training for them).

This individual will independently process travel expense reports for the assigned region’s staff, reconcile advance accounts, and resolve any potential problems with advance outstanding. The Project Accountant will lead meetings between finance and program staff on a regular basis, and assist and advise program officers in providing overall financial management of their assigned projects.

Qualifications:

• Detailed knowledge of accounting theory and federal grant regulations including the Uniform Guidance, OMB 2 CFR 200, and other funders’ specific requirements, and be able to apply the knowledge in their daily tasks. Detailed knowledge of U.S. GAAP and ADS are required for the P3 level.
• Six years (for a P3 level) or four years (for a P2 level) of experience in processing and auditing field office accounting is preferred.
• Advanced skills and knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Word are required. Extensive working experience in Accounting software with Deltek Costpoint, Deltek Costpoint Enterprise Reporting, Deltek Time & Expense, and Quickbooks.
• Ability to communicate persuasively in writing and orally.
• Ability to complete routine tasks with limited supervision (preferred for a P2 level; required for P3).
• Ability to complete various account analysis, research and provide solutions to the Controller on problems encountered.
• Ability to independently create pipeline projection, account reconciliation and analysis, and/or budget preparation.
• Ability to achieve advanced knowledge of Solidarity Center’s internal controls system, advanced understanding of Solidarity Center’s policies and procedures, and be able to explain them to others (preferred for a P2 level; required for P3).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Finance with eighteen credit hours in Accounting courses.

This position requires an individual who is well organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented, able to produce accurate work, willing to learn, and able to work in a team environment. At a P3 level, the Project Accountant must be able to work independently, obtain new skills and knowledge, and capable of offering strategic advice and solutions.

Specific Duties:

1. Review electronic Monthly Financial Reports received from the field offices; ensure the accuracy of the reports prior to entering the reports data into the Accounting System
2. Process and audit monthly financial reports from field offices (and from subgrantees, and partners at the P3 level) according to required audit checklist; ensure audit of the financial reports are completed monthly in a timely manner
3. Reconcile Field Office’s account balances to General Ledger balance and resolve any differences on a monthly and yearly basis. The accounts to be reconciled include field office advance accounts, union/partner’s advances, prepaid/deposit accounts, liabilities accounts (taxes withholding, all accrued expenses, etc.);
4. Independently review, and process travel expense reports related to assigned projects in a timely manner; reconcile advance accounts for employees (including corporate credit card charges) promptly; resolve any delinquent accounts with the staff
5. Serve as primary contact for field office’s accountant; instruct and train local accountants in all aspects of the field office’s financial transactions, accounting software, and reporting in accordance with the Field Office Accounting Policy and Procedures Manual
6. Review local staff’s personnel compensation worksheets prepared by the field offices on a monthly basis. Reconcile and provide necessary guidance to local accountants to ensure compliance and update with local labor law for all the accrued severance calculations
7. Assist the Finance Department (P2 level) or take the lead (P3 level) in performing field office’s desk review and/or internal audit. Where appropriate, travel to the assigned field office to provide financial compliance training and work with the local accountant to review the field office’s operations and processing
8. Organize (P3 level) and lead the quarterly financial reports meeting with Program Officers and the respective thematic Global Leads, RPDs, and/or Deputy RPDs, and point out projects which may be in need of attention or on the verge of being overspent and/or need to be reprogrammed with the funding source
9. Prepare monthly summary analysis of financial reports for Program Officers/Managers, flag any potential or actual budget overruns, analyze the cause of budget overruns, and recommend solutions to Program Staff to stop and prevent the over-runs
10. Assist program and grant staff in the preparation of budgets for new proposals or modifications of current grants; provide program staff with the financial information needed such as field office’s fixed cost information, local staff compensation, etc;
11. Prepare pipeline analysis or cost projections as requested by Program Staff to assist Programs in monitoring and managing program spending on their projects;
12. Assist in the annual audit by providing reconciliation worksheets for field office’s advance accounts and other associated balance sheet accounts
13. Serve as backup Project Accountant where needed and appropriate

Additional Duties at the P3 Level:

• Develop strategies to detect and prevent fraud through data analysis and business insight
• Provide data analytics on a monthly and/or quarterly basis to identify fraud, waste, or abuse, and prepare statistical/financial analysis reports with graphic presentation for notification of findings
• Take the lead in following through on all pending financial issues (e.g. outstanding travel and credit card advances, monies owed to the SC, pending reclass, etc.) and bring them to closure so that they are in compliance with donors’ requirements and/or SC’s policies and procedures
• Bring issues to the attention of the Controller or the Director of Finance or their designee as needed and be prepared to offer solutions to move things forward

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This is a collective bargaining unit position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary starting at approximately $81,755-95,662 USD based on experience. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.

About Us:

The Solidarity Center cultivates the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion among its staff and partners. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at information@solidaritycenter.org.

For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO: Solidarity Center works in partnership with the AFL-CIO on recruiting and filling positions. Our policy is to notify the AFL-CIO prior to interviewing any of its current employees.