Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Our family of ten programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under general supervision of the accounting manager, provides varied, responsible, technical fiscal office support in the following areas: payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Performs associated bookkeeping, journal entry, report preparation, and computer processing duties; works independently to reconcile a variety of accounting problems; instructs accounting assistants; performs related work as required.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Accounting:
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Accounting:
- Performs a varied combination of ongoing transactions related to the following fiscal functions:
- Payroll—prepares a bimonthly payroll, which includes verifying information submitted and balancing computer-generated reports and checks; maintains employee payroll records; reconciles balance sheet accounts; prepares required tax, workers' compensation, and related insurance 401(k) retirement reports and records; ensures that all payroll procedures are consistent with agency personnel policies.
- Accounts Receivable—prepares submits and monitors requests for funds, and reports on expenses to funding agencies; receives all program monies, prepares bank deposits, and reconciles bank statements for a variety of accounts; reviews budget detail for accuracy and completeness; administers collection of monies from diverse sources due to agency for services provided; maintains cash flow; reconciles all balance sheet accounts; develops and maintains necessary accounting records for printing and similar ancillary agency services.
- Accounts Payable—verifies signatures, account and budget numbers for each invoice, reconciles incoming bills with approved purchase orders or contracts; prepares vouchers or checks for payment; obtains authorized signatures and distributes payments to vendors and contractors; verifies that all journal entries are current prior to generating monthly budget reports; maintains complete vendor, voucher, and other files as required; reconciles balance sheet accounts; prepares special vendor history reports, and 1099 forms.
- Performs a varied combination of ongoing transactions related to the following fiscal functions:
- Prepares journal entries for all functions; reconciles such entries as required.
- Inputs data to and retrieves data from a PC-based accounting system and the Excel spreadsheet program; utilizes the computer, following established procedures, to create and maintain files and prepare periodic and special reports.
- Maintains manual and computerized bookkeeping systems, records, logs, and files; prepares reports and performs a variety of office support and general clerical duties as required.
- Uses standard office equipment such as a calculator and copy reproduction equipment.
Technical Leadership:
- Confers with accounting manager and other staff to offer criticisms and suggestions regarding existing and proposed computer software, record keeping systems, and procedures relating to the assigned function(s).
- Prepares and maintains written internal procedures related to the assigned functions, ensuring that such procedures are consistent with other agency functions.
- Instructs and provides hands-on training to accounting assistants; provides task oversite of accounting assistants.
Special Projects:
- Provides special reports as requested.
- As directed by the accounting manager, reconciles errors and questionable records.
- May assist to monitor and analyze budgets on an ongoing basis to assure that available funds are properly expended and budgetary limits are observed.
- Assists with the preparation and maintenance of internal financial reports.
Professional Conduct:
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other agency staff members.
- Communicates effectively and respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups and from different backgrounds and lifestyles; demonstrates a knowledge of and sensitivity to their needs.
Job descriptions are intended to be illustrative only; they are not designed to be restrictive or to define each and every assigned duty and responsibility. In an organization of this nature; each employee is expected to perform such duties as necessary to fulfill the stated goals of the agency.
We screen all applicants, require background checks on final candidates consistent with funding regulation requirements and are a Drug-Free Work Place.
UNION:
The staff accountant position is represented by the SEIU bargaining unit.
OTHER JOB DETAILS:
- This is a FLSA non-exempt position.
- Typical hours of work will be Monday-Friday, between 9am and 5pm.
- Regular onsite attendance is required of this position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
- Computerized bookkeeping, journal entry and reconciliation, and related accounting office procedures and practices, including the functions of payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable;
- Basic budget analyses techniques;
- General office practices, including filing, report preparation, and the use of standard office equipment;
- Computer processing applications and techniques for smaller agencies; and
- Basic accounting principles.
Skill in:
- Preparing, researching, and maintaining a variety of records, reports and forms related to an assigned accounting function;
- Training employees in various accounting functions and reconciliation techniques;
- Reconciling data and solving fiscal problems;
- Assisting to monitor and analyze budgets;
- Reading and interpreting regulations and policies;
- Making accurate arithmetic calculations;
- Rapidly learning the specific policies and procedures of the agency;
- Using sound independent judgment, prioritizing work, and meeting critical deadlines;
- Using a variety of standard office equipment, including a personal computer to input, generate, retrieve and manipulate data;
- communicating effectively with other agency staff and with representatives of funding organizations, banks, insurance companies and vendors; and
- Dealing tactfully, cooperatively, and effectively with other agency staff members, community organizations, and the public, including people from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups and from different backgrounds and lifestyles.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Several years of technical or clerical experience in an accounting office, which includes experience working and, a complete understanding of at least two of the following functions: Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable or Payroll.
- Experience must have included use of an in-house computer system.
- Accounting and/or grant accounting degree preferred, but not required.
- Must pass a criminal background check and maintain a clean record.
- Must be able to work at a computer for full workdays; some routine lifting and reaching requirements.
Skills Required
- Knowledge of computerized bookkeeping, journal entry and reconciliation procedures
- Knowledge of payroll functions including payroll preparation, payroll records, tax and 401(k) reporting
- Knowledge of accounts receivable procedures including fund requests, deposits, and bank reconciliations
- Knowledge of accounts payable procedures including invoice verification, voucher/check preparation, and 1099 preparation
- Basic budget analysis techniques and ability to assist monitoring budgets
- Proficiency with PC-based accounting systems and Excel
- Several years of technical or clerical accounting office experience (including full understanding of at least two: AR, AP, Payroll)
- Experience using an in-house computer system
- Ability to prepare, research, and maintain accounting records, reconcile data, and solve fiscal problems
- Ability to train and provide oversight to accounting assistants
- Ability to read and interpret regulations and policies and make accurate arithmetic calculations
- Ability to use standard office equipment and work at a computer for full workdays; some routine lifting
- Must pass a criminal background check and maintain a clean record
- Accounting and/or grant accounting degree
What We Do
Community Bridges is a nonprofit human-services organization serving Santa Cruz County, California. Through a family of ten programs, it provides essential support and equitable access to resources for children, families, and older adults. Its services include family resources, childcare, meals, transportation, nutrition education, senior care, and referrals, while it also advocates for health, dignity, and stronger community conditions across every stage of life.
