Senior Accountant

Overview

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) is a private, non‑profit, human service agency providing a variety of services throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Over the years, LSS has grown to become one of the largest human service agencies in the two state area, serving more than 125,000 clients annually. We are looking for passionate, mission‑driven individuals to help provide services including outpatient behavioral health management, international, domestic and special needs adoptions, older adult services, support services for children, youth and families, community corrections programs, and support services for adults with disabilities and/or mental health concerns.

Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI is currently seeking a Senior Project Accountant to join our team. This is a full‑time, benefit‑eligible, hybrid opportunity with office hours required in West Allis or Eau Claire every Thursday. For payroll purposes, all hybrid employees must reside in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, or Minnesota.

Under the direction of the Director of Accounting, the Senior Accountant provides excellent customer service to all those needing financial data to make decisions within the Agency. The Senior Accountant is a member of the LSS Financial Services Team and provides fiscal management services for program directors, supervisors, managers, and team leaders. The Senior Accountant is responsible for assisting in the recording of accurate and timely financial information and other projects and duties as assigned.

The position works in concert with Financial Services Team members.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all‑inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary.

• Works in a collaborative team environment, working towards common strategic goals.
• Under general direction, apply principles of accounting to record financial information and prepare financial reports, including compliance with GAAP, Government Auditing Standards, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Design, recommend, and coordinate implementation of internal control procedures to ensure proper transaction recording.
• Obtain and maintain a thorough understanding of the accounting software, financial reporting and general ledger structure, including consolidated and non‑consolidated entities and intercompany and elimination accounting, mapping to financial reports and statements.
• May be responsible for multiple HUD or tax credit projects, which include all accounting processes and procedures, reporting, and leading an audit with an external firm, and financial statement entry into the HUD Real Estate Assessment Center system.
• Initiate and oversee various day‑to‑day banking transactions.
• Complete 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax) tax forms accurately and timely.
• Prepare and document general ledger entries, including proper support.
• Complete and resolve assigned complex account reconciliations independently.
• Prepare monthly expense‑based invoices and supporting documentation for the funders of various programs and follow through with collecting timely payments.
• Compile and prepare financial data, analysis and reports using various software and financial applications.
• May proactively assist in the preparation for the LSS consolidated annual financial and single audits, including preparation of schedules and reports.
• Assist in the creation of standardized policies and procedures to support accounting practice within the general ledger shared across the agency.
• Support in the preparation of annual budgets as needed.
• Initiate, establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships, including partnering with programs and project personnel by providing financial support, fluctuation analysis and responding timely to inquiries.
• Stay abreast of and be actively engaged in implementation of employee training for changing business requirements, including documentation of processes and procedures.
• Be a resource to finance team members.
• Be proactive and facilitate project assignments.
• Mainta…