Senior Accountant

Overview

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.

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

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, Net Suite, or similar platforms

• 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

• 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…