Senior Accountant

JOB TITLE: Senior Accountant 

DIVISION: Finance 

DEPARTMENT: Finance/Fiscal Department 

LOCATION: 9301 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48210

REPORTS TO: Director of Finance

FLSA STATUS: Exempt/Salary

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Regular

APPROVED DATE: 09/05/2025

JOB SUMMARY: Performs advanced accounting duties including compliance oversight, audit coordination, risk mitigation, and financial analysis. Supports the Director of Finance in leading and enhancing financial operations, while driving process improvement and maintaining fiscal integrity across all organizational units. Plays a key role in upholding regulatory compliance and implementing best practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Adheres to the mission of SER Metro-Detroit and Subsidiaries.
2. Oversees corporate, charter school, and 401(k) audits by coordinating with external auditors and internal teams, ensuring timely completion and resolution of findings.
3. Monitor contractual and regulatory compliance across funding sources (e.g., WIOA, TANF, SNAP, Michigan Department of Education), proactively mitigating risk and addressing discrepancies.
4. Ensure proper implementation and documentation of internal controls; recommend enhancements to strengthen organizational accountability and transparency.
5. Prepares complex financial reports required by government entities, grantors, and management for strategic decision-making.
6. Leads month-end and year-end closings of the general ledger; ensures accuracy and adherence to GAAP.
7. Supports and reviews accounting operations in multiple regions, including payroll journal entries, non-cash service transactions, and monthly billing.
8. Lead the development and revision of annual budgets; analyze budget-to-actuals, provide variance explanations, and support data-driven decisions..
9. Maintain and monitor cost allocation methodologies with rigorous attention to accuracy and regulatory alignment.
10. Performs high-level balance sheet reconciliations, including bank accounts and interfund transactions; identifies and resolves discrepancies.
11. Generates and reviews detailed financial statements; investigates anomalies and distributes to internal stakeholders.
12. Posts high-impact transactions to the general ledger; maintains audit-ready documentation in compliance with organizational policies.
13. Champions financial process improvements through automation, documentation, and system enhancements to improve efficiency and accuracy.
14. Evaluate and enhance accounting procedures and practices to align with organizational growth and sector best practices.
15. Provides informal guidance to junior staff; promotes cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing across finance units.
16. Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or Master’s Degree strongly preferred.
2. Minimum six (6) years of progressive experience in general accounting, audit leadership, risk management, and government/non-profit financial operations.
3. Advanced knowledge of WIOA, TANF, SNAP, Michigan Department of Education, and other related compliance regulations.
4. Expertise in GAAP, internal controls, and fiscal risk assessment.
5. Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and audit coordination.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver quality work under tight deadlines.
7. Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with MIP and QuickBooks required; automation or reporting tool experience a plus.
8. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills; proactive in identifying and addressing issues.
9. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial data clearly.
10. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends as required.
11. Valid Michigan driver’s license.   Incumbent must also have reliable means of transportation to travel to various locations outside of the office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Must have physical ability to occasionally sit in one position for extended periods of time when data entering information. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend, stand or walk as necessary.   Employee must be able to drive for extended periods of time. Employees must occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, must be able to set up a display area as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. -This job operates in a normal school environment with a noise level, which is at times, moderately loud with little discomfort due to noise, dirt, dust and the like. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities that may be performed by a person so classified. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Salary : $65,000 - $90,000