About the Position & Awana:

This position works to advance the ministry of Awana by maintaining and developing financial and compliance practices for the purpose of helping the organization comply with policies, legal and accounting rules/guidelines and audit/requirements. Collaborating with internal staff, international staff, auditors and other consultants, this position’s primary focus will initially be on sales and use tax compliance, international audit/financial reviews, the annual audit and 990 tax return, and assisting the controller with projects as needed. This role is intended to grow in scope with the growth of the organization. 

At Awana, we believe true change happens in the communities when children and youth are transformed by the gospel and engaged in Biblical discipleship in the presence of a caring adult. We believe that kids can come to know, love and serve Jesus, following Him for a lifetime. This is why, for 70 years, Awana has been working with leaders in local churches in the US and around the world, providing solutions that equip these women and men to make disciples in children and youth. 

Today, God is using Awana to reach over 6.4 million kids in 135 countries around the world. With over 500,000 equipped leaders in 68,000 clubs/churches, Awana is able to play a vital role in global evangelism and discipleship of children and youth. If you are passionate about being integral to reaching kids with the gospel, join us, and become a part of our global cause. 

What We Are Looking For:

• Exemplary team member and collaborator who can work well with a global and diverse team of internal and external partners, and whose work exceeds the standards of operational and cultural excellence.

• Detail-oriented thinker with ability to understand and communicate big picture ideas as they pertain to accounting and tax matters.

• A hands-on and motivated self-starter capable of driving tax, audit and compliance processes forward with minimal assistance. 

TAX COMPLIANCE

• Audit the Awana complete sales tax collection and reporting process and implement changes to optimize the process and bring all states into compliance. 

• Monitor sales and use tax requirements and monitor/maintain the Awana systems (Avalara) and transactions to ensure compliance. Manage the recording and reporting/filing of sales tax and help with sales tax exemption certificates and/or related tax credits during peak seasons.

• Process owner for Avalara (tax filings, setup and tax rates) and ECM (tax exemption certificate management) systems and processes. 

• Drive the process for completing Awana annual 990 tax returns and functional expense allocations.

• Identify and implement appropriate means of sales tax collection and reporting as ACI begins to sell products and events internationally.

AUDIT COMPLIANCE

• Responsible for international audits and desk reviews - compliance with Awana international audit policy.

• Facilitate international banking/treasury compliance. 

• Prepare audit workpapers and assist the Controller with the annual financial audit.

• Ensure compliance around annuities, trusts and royalty contracts.

• Prepare unclaimed property returns.

ACCOUNTING SUPPORT

• Research issues and best practices to drive compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Awana policies and processes, and maintain financial policies and processes accordingly.

• Assist the Controller and VP of Finance with maintaining Intacct dimensions, hierarchies, report groupings, standard reports and other system parameters.

• Support controller and accounting managers as backup during peak seasons and vacations. Perform other related duties as assigned in support of financial or ministry objectives.

• Prepare and maintain monthly financial reports to missionaries and department managers on a timely basis and in accordance with guidelines. Respond to questions and research/record any needed corrections.

• Assist the VP of finance with the annual budget.

What You Need:

• Minimum 8 years experience as an accountant – GL, transactions, inventory, reporting, financial systems, budgeting, etc. 

• Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) in Accounting or Finance from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred.

• Prior experience with sales tax and tax compliance required.

• Non-profit and prior experience with 990 tax returns highly desired.

• Strong systems knowledge and experience – maintaining system tables, hierarchies and report groupings/parameters, and experience developing reports.

• Proficient Excel and Google Sheets skills/knowledge/experience with emphasis on pivot tables, lookups, conditional formulas, etc. Must be able to efficiently manipulate data for analysis purposes.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills - the ability to assimilate, summarize and communicate technical information in non-technical terms.

• Analytical and highly curious mindset – strong desire to understand how systems, transactions and processes work and willingness to help others gain the same understanding. Must have a strong aptitude for quantitative analysis.

• Willingness to jump into projects that are not clearly defined to move them to a process outcome.

• Desire and willingness to grow with the organization.

• Experience with Awana Club, curriculum, resources, & solutions is a plus!

• Occasional local and out-of-town, overnight travel may be required.

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS: While performing the duties of this job, you are regularly required to communicate. You are also required to regularly utilize computer equipment (e.g., screens and keyboards) to perform work, and routinely required to move about the work environment (St. Charles office, home office, etc.). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for extended periods of time. This position requires the ability to read, type and interpret numbers efficiently and accurately - and often in high volume.

• Eligibility to work in the United States is required; this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

What We Offer: 

As a global ministry that equips leaders to reach kids with the gospel and engage them in lifelong discipleship, we also consider how our workforce and employment culture impact the lives of our team members. 

• Mission-driven work that changes the lives of children and youth around the world. 

• Values of intentional connection, flexibility, family, and community engagement in our culture.

• Remote-first / hybrid work environment, allowing you to do the majority of your work from where it is you call “home”. In this role you will have in-person responsibilities which require some of your work to be done in our St. Charles office 1 - 2x per week.

• Competitive benefits package, including a variety of programs you can choose from to meet you and your family’s needs. Some of these include medical, dental, & vision medical insurance, HSA, 401(k) (pre-tax & Roth) retirement saving plans with an organizational match, life and disability insurance, paid vacation & holidays, an employee wellness program, and more! 

This Job Description reflects the current assignment of essential functions and is not meant to be all-inclusive. Responsibilities may be assigned or reassigned to this job at any time based on the needs of the organization and may be modified to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability or for other reasons.