Senior Grant Accountant

ABOUT PLS:

Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS) is a non-profit legal services organization providing civil legal services to indigent individuals in New York State correctional facilities where no other counsel is available. Founded in 1976 in response to the Attica uprising, PLS engages in civil rights advocacy and litigation primarily in cases involving claims of unconstitutional conditions of confinement, prolonged placement in solitary confinement, deliberate indifference to serious mental health and medical needs, excessive use of force, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, access to education, child visitation and support, immigration, and sentence computation issues. PLS has regional offices in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, and Newburgh.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Senior Grant Accountant leads the preparation and submission of NYS vouchers (e.g., reimbursement requests through state agency portals/SFS), ensures compliance with OSC requirements, maintains accurate accounting records, supervises accounts payable functions, and may assist on other finance issues as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• The Senior Grant Accountant job responsibilities include assisting the Finance Director with the following tasks: Prepare, review, and submit NYS grant reimbursement vouchers, supporting documentation, and required schedules; monitoring approvals and resolving exceptions.
• Interpret grant contracts, award letters, MWBE/EEO reporting requirements, and allowable cost rules; ensure all charges are compliant and properly coded.
• Maintain detailed grant sub-ledgers including budget, obligations, and receivables; reconcile grant activity to the general ledger monthly.
• Coordinate with HR/payroll to validate timekeeping, salary allocations, PTO/sick usage, and fringe rates; ensure compliance with sponsor requirements.
• Partner with program management to forecast spending, prepare budget modifications, and prevent lapses or disallowances.
• Lead audit-ready documentation practices for voucher packets and procurement support.
• Maintain and enforce AP policies and strengthen internal controls.
• Perform monthly close tasks: journal entries, allocations, accruals/deferrals, and account reconciliations.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and grant-level reports.
• Support annual financial statement audit, single audit, and state agency desk reviews.
• Assist with cash flow forecasting, indirect cost rate calculations, and cost allocation methodologies.
• Contribute to budget development cycles and grant budget narratives.
• Champion process improvements and train staff in finance policies.
• Such other tasks as may be assigned by the Finance Director or Executive Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience supervising or performing Accounts Payable operations and strengthening internal controls.
• Strong knowledge of fund accounting, cost allocation, accrual accounting, and grant compliance.
• Proficiency with payroll/timekeeping reconciliation for grant allocations.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to translate financial requirements for non-finance staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

· A minimum of 4 years of accounting experience in a nonprofit or government setting, including grant accounting and NYS voucher submissions.

· Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups), experience with ADP Workforce Now or other comparable payroll systems, NYS Statewide Financial System (SFS), and QuickBooks platforms.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

PLS is a unionized workplace, and salaries for union members are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. This is a non-union position.

SALARY TRANSPARENCY: The anticipated annual salary range for this position is

$75,000 to $85,000. The specific salary offer will be dependent on candidate qualification.

PLS also offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and a 401(k)-retirement plan.

PLS’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, pregnancy or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter, resume, and at least three (3) references by email to careers@plsny.org No phone calls please. Due to the volume of applications expected, only people who are contacted for interviews will receive a response. The position will remain open until filled.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Accounting in Nonprofit: 4 years (Preferred)
• Advanced Excel : 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000