Senior Accountant

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Senior Accountant (Accounts Payable) in the Finance Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

Responsible for safeguarding the financial resources of the organization, the Finance team manages the financial activities of the National ACLU. From paying vendors to forecasting budgets, and everything in-between, we take pride in providing the resources and platform for informed financial decision-making.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

Reporting to the Accounting Manager, the Senior Accountant (Accounts Payable), will be responsible for performing specific accounting functions in accordance with ACLU standard procedures, and GAAP, regulations and industry best practices. Our ideal candidate will an exceptional attention to detail and analytical skills, an orientation towards being of service, and a passion for the work of the ACLU.

The Senior Accountant job responsibilities are generally focused on one or two functional areas, but cross-training to support the work of additional functional areas is also done as needed. The following overview of responsibilities is intended to describe the type of work which will be assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all specific duties required by the employee:

Functional Area: Accounts Payable

• Analyze, review, and reconcile expense schedules to ensure they are properly coded and in accordance with accounting policies, including rent and lease schedules.
• Asist with the review of payments, voids, vendor credits and reversals, ensuring timeliness and that internal procedures and GAAP are followed.
• Prepare monthly vendor and aging reports.
• Assist with preparing monthly and annual closing entries including recurring entries, reclassifications, allocations and intercompany transactions.
• Assist with affiliate payments, including compilation of monthly schedules.
• Prepare schedules and other reports for annual audit and tax filings.
• Perform periodic account reconciliations and analyses (monthly, quarterly or annually, as applicable).
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from National staff, affiliate staff and others.
• Collaborate with AP staff to prepare annual 1099 filings, including the review of vendor records for accuracy.
• Maintain confidentiality of information related to sensitive financial and board related matters.
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date recording system for paper and electronic files, utilizing established internal best practices and document warehouses for file storage
• Complete ad hoc projects as requested,

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy while processing large volumes of data in a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of basic accounting fundamentals with the ability to apply them to daily work 
• Demonstrated ability to review, organize and reconcile financial information with accuracy
• Ability to learn and navigate accounting systems, financial tools and new software and applications quickly
• Clear and effective written and oral communication skills
• Strong time management, prioritization and follow-through skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, vlookups, if statements)

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or other analytical focus with related work experience
• Prior experience in an accounting role, preferably at a non-profit organization

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.