Lead Accountant

The Legal Aid Society, the nation’s largest and oldest public defense and civil legal services provider, is dedicated to a simple yet powerful mission: ensuring that no individual is denied the right to equal justice. For 148 years, we have protected, defended, and advocated for those who have struggled in silence for far too long – working on the front lines and behind the scenes to offer the people we serve the exceptional legal services they deserve.

Through our Civil, Criminal Defense, and Juvenile Rights Practices, we offer an unmatched depth and breadth of legal expertise to vulnerable New Yorkers every year in over 200,000 individual legal matters while also impacting millions with effective advocacy, impact litigation and legislative agenda. We are dedicated to blunting the impact of poverty on individuals, families, and communities.

• Assist the Accounting Manager in reviewing and analyzing general ledger accounts and proactively resolving inconsistencies under minimal supervision
• Assist the Accounting Manager in preparing the monthly GAAP financial statements and supporting schedules
• Perform a portfolio of monthly balance sheet reconciliations and prepare quarterly balance sheet binder for assigned reconciliations
• Participate in the month end close and associated tasks
• Manage accounting for the endowment and investment accounts
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and year‑end journal entries
• Prepare 90‑day and weekly cash flow analysis
• Assist in updating task procedures and documentation and in identifying process improvements

• Assist the Accounting Manager in reviewing and analyzing general ledger accounts and proactively resolving inconsistencies under minimal supervision
• Assist the Accounting Manager in preparing the monthly GAAP financial statements and supporting schedules
• Perform a portfolio of monthly balance sheet reconciliations and prepare quarterly balance sheet binder for assigned reconciliations
• Take part in the month end close and associated tasks
• Manage accounting for the endowment and investment accounts
• Participate in preparing monthly, quarterly, and year‑end journal entries
• Participate in preparing 90‑day and weekly cash flow analysis
• Assist in updating task procedures and documentation and in identifying process improvements

• Prepare various schedules and analyses for the annual fiscal audit
• Prepare various schedules and analyses for the annual completion of the IRS Form 990
• Assist with individual program audit requests

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

• BA/BS degree required, with a focus in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• 5+ years of related experience
• Experience with Financial Edge, Vena and/or Oracle Net Suite preferred
• Strong Excel skills and ability to analyze large volumes of data
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Strong understanding of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration or a related field
• Nonprofit experience preferred
• Experience with fiscal, compliance and program audits
• Experience in developing and implementing financial systems, tools, structures, and processes
• Experience with cross‑departmental collaboration and internal communications
• Demonstrated knowledge of non‑profit accounting
• Knowledge of best practices in grants and contracts strategy and process improvement
• Experience with cross‑departmental collaboration and internal communications

• Understand when to escalate critical time‑sensitive issues
• Demonstrate a commitment to quality, accuracy, and thoroughness
• Versatile in handling multiple tasks simultaneously in accordance with highest priority
• Ability to meet deadlines, which may require a flexible schedule, as…