Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Qualified candidates from underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.

Position: Client Accounting Specialist

Responsible to: COO

Employment Status: Full-time hourly staff; Battle Creek office.

General Description: The Client Accounting Specialist is responsible for maintaining accurate client financial information, preparing reports for internal and external usage, and representing the Agency as a liaison to Probate Court.

Specific Responsibilities: The person in this position is ultimately responsible for the following duties:

1. External Reports / Court Activity: Prepares a variety of reports for external contacts including the courts, government agencies, and regulatory authorities:

A) Maintains the Accountings Due Report on the shared Google drive by adding all new clients, removing discharged clients, and notating the progress of all annual accounts, final accounts, and inventories due for all Conservator, Personal Representative and trust clients.

B) Maintains the Master Tracking Spreadsheet saved on the shared Google drive to ensure all court petitions, court accountings and court orders are filed in an accurate and timely manner.

C) Prepares petitions, inventories, annual & final accountings for allowance of the Probate Court and review by Veterans Administration, guardian ad litem, the ward, Michigan Department of Human Services (for Special Needs Trust clients), Social Security (for Special Needs Trust clients) and other interested parties. Provides documentation and explanation as requested by courts, government agencies, and regulatory authorities.

D) Manages the court hearing process for all Conservator clients.

E) Coordinates with Intake/Discharge Specialist to keep Interested Parties informed on the status of the file as needed and per agency guidelines.

F) Manages the disposal of assets for deceased Conservator clients. Coordinates with outside legal counsel to file Personal Representative Petitions to Probate Court, representing the Agency at Probate Court hearings as requested and releasing assets to heirs, updating the Escheat tab in the Master Tracking Spreadsheet as necessary.

G) Coordinates the purchase and discharge of all bonds required by the court or Veterans Administration. Updates the client database with all new, closed or modified bond information. Updates the bond worksheet saved to Google drive.

2. Client Internal Account Maintenance & Reporting: Assists in establishing and discharging client accounts, while adhering to internal control standards at all times:

A) Creates and files an Inventory for all Conservator clients.

B) At time of Inventory, calculates Conservator fees, enters a manual bill on the Legal Tab if non-standard fee, enters catch-up bill for any fees owing to date.

C) Enters bill for Conservator fees allowed on annual and final accountings.

D) Adjusts and posts client investment statements monthly.

E) Reviews and posts statements when outside funds are brought in by workers.

F) Posts all real estate closings.

G) Enters journal entries to close out all discharged client accounts.

H) Enters all funeral checks and posts pre-existing funerals to ETB as requested.

I) Enters Guardian and Conservator closing fees when notified those authorities have ended.

J) Enters bills to close Small Estates as requested by worker.

K) Receives asset information from the Trust Officer and completes Trust and SNT inventories within the established time and notices Interested Parties.

a. Prepares all Trust & SNT inventories as requested by Trust Officer or at the time of first annual accounting.

b. Prepare all Trust & SNT annual accountings.

c. Prepare all Trust & SNT final accountings when requested by Trust Officer or at time of annual accounting.

3. Performs any other tasks as assigned.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that the incumbent will be required to perform. It shall not be held to exclude other duties of a similar nature, which may be requested by the supervisor but not specifically mentioned.

Qualifications:

· Associate degree and/or three years accounting experience required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

· Familiarity of basic accounting principles and procedures.

· Experience with data entry and accounting software.

· Experience in the bookkeeping setting, including work with payables and receivables.

· Good organizational and communication skills working within a busy office environment.

Compensation: This position’s salary range is $15 to $18 to start, based on experience. Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services provides an excellent benefits package with a generous PTO policy and holiday schedule.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Dependent care reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Battle Creek, MI 49015: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person