Accounting Specialist

Position Summary:

The Accounting Specialist leads finance processes related to the expenditures of the organization, including accounts payable, tracking and recognition of prepaid expenses, maintaining fixed asset and depreciation schedules, credit card entry and import, and preparation of annual 1099 forms. This role also supports the mail intake process and performs other finance related administrative tasks as assigned.

Organizational Values:

Kids’ Food Basket pursues a future in which all children have access to the nourishment that fosters their lifelong health and limitless potential. Our core belief is that healthy food is a right, not a privilege, for every child.

Since 2002, Kids’ Food Basket has grown from serving 125 students in Kent County to providing 11,000 meals every weekday to 62 schools in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties through our flagship Sack Supper program. Access to good food is the foundation of good health, and we combine this access with education and agriculture to create lasting change in our community.

Kids’ Food Basket’s educational programming connects learners to where healthy food comes from and why it matters. We use our sustainable farmland as experiential classrooms to create meaningful educational experiences and host community volunteerism that connect us to each other. Through these efforts, our farms provide thousands of servings of fresh produce to underserved neighbors in West Michigan. Together, we are working toward a more nourished future.

Kids’ Food Basket offers a hybrid work environment, and a minimum of three days a week are required to work in office at one of our locations (Kent, Muskegon, or Ottawa Counties). Regardless of office location selected, occasional travel to other locations will be required a few times a month for all staff meetings and professional development trainings.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Primary finance team point person for organization credit cards, including allocating funds, assisting in coding, uploads into Business Central, and provides training to card holders and users as necessary.

2. Responsible for gathering invoices, accurate coding, and sending approvals in accordance with the Accounting Policies and Procedures handbook and Internal Controls based on development of electronic workflow processing. Follows up on outstanding items to ensure timely payment and accurate reporting. Enters into Business Central and prepares for payment.

3. Processes check and ACH payments on payables once posted in accordance with cash flow and payment policies, including printing checks and routing to check signers.

4. Maintains, schedules, and processes journal entries to ensure expenses are recognized on accrual basis, including tracking pre-paid expenses and recognizing when incurred.

5. Thoroughly reviews mileage and staff reimbursement requests, ensuring accurate coding and accordance with the mileage reimbursement policy.

6. Prepares cash deposit to bank institution when necessary and gives to administrative assistant to complete physical deposit.

7. Maintains W-9 forms and prepares annual 1099 forms.

8. Maintains fixed asset listing for all locations and calculates monthly depreciation.

9. Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received:

General Direction: Plans and arranges own work. Uses a wide range of procedures to accomplish assigned objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Informal leading: Project management of team members and interns working within department. Responsible for assigning and scheduling project-based work. Provides training and coaching.

Education & Experience:

1. Associates degree required. Bachelor's degree preferred.

2. Four (4) or more years of relevant experience.

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel. Business Central or Dynamics experience preferred.

2. Experience with fund accounting and cost allocations highly desired.

3. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

5. Strong organizational skills, excellent attention to detail, strong attention to follow through.

6. Willingness to adapt and pivot between tasks and projects with varying time constraints

7. Thrives on problem solving with excellent critical thinking skills, able to analyze systems and data to make suggestions for continuous improvement.

8. Sensitivity to handle confidential financial information and ensure that sensitive files are properly secured.

9. A sense of optimism and an assets-based way of viewing people and situations.

10. Ability to effectively interact with a diverse population from a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

11. Have a desire to develop a basic understanding of hunger and poverty issues in West Michigan.

Physical Requirements:

Average Daily Physical Requirements

• Work in stationary position: More than 5 Hours
• Move about work area: On Occasion
• Use hands/fingers to handle or feel: More than 5 Hours
• Reach with hands and arms: On Occasion
• Ascend/Descend (stairs/ladder/etc.): On Occasion
• Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: On Occasion
• Communicate with various parties: More than 5 Hours
• Detect flavors or smells: None
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 30 pounds: On Occasion
• Visual acuity: More than 5 Hours
• Read and understand written word: More than 5 Hours
• Drive/Travel: On Occasion
• Operate computer and general office machines: More than 5 Hours
• Operate Machines: None
• Other:

Environmental Conditions:

Average Daily Environmental Conditions

• Normal office environment: No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise or chemicals or hazardous equipment. More than 5 Hours
• Warehouse environment: Exposure to dust, warehouse equipment, varied temperatures, and noise. On Occasion
• Farm: Regular and continuous exposure to outside elements such as weather, animals, insects, etc. On Occasion
• Travel: Limited exposure to outside elements. On Occasion
• Other: