What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounting Specialist position at United Way Greater Kansas City?
Overview
OVERVIEW
Mission: To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Greater Kansas City
We’re more than fundraisers. We’re hand-raisers and game-changers. We go looking for the tough issues in our community, and with your help, we go solve them. United Way of Greater Kansas City unites donors, volunteers, businesses, nonprofits and community leaders to help change the lives of those in need. We are making Kansas City and the surrounding area better…100 years and counting.
We are a team of adaptive, driven, focused and flexible innovators working to solve and support some of the biggest challenges in our community. Our team culture is collaborative, and our office environment is flexible – with a hybrid virtual and in-office environment. We believe that working hard and playing hard are essential to a job well-done. Come be a part of the pinnacle nonprofit in our community!
JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title: Accounting Specialist
Department: Finance, Accounting Services
POSITION SUMMARY
The Accounting Specialist will support the Director of Finance and Accounting Services by assisting with a wide range of financial operations, including accounts payable, banking, accounting services, and maintaining operational excellence. This role is ideal for a proactive individual with a minimum of two years of work experience in accounting or finance, who has a strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team. The ability to adapt to evolving processes within a fast-paced environment is crucial.
Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES
Position Duties & Responsibilities:
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Accounts Payable
- Serve as a backup for Accounts Payable Specialist processing and paying accounts payable invoices as assigned.
Banking:
- Serves as backup for Accounts Payable Specialist completing daily cash management processes as assigned.
- Reconcile corporate purchasing card expenses (obtain proper approvals, prepare journal entries and ensure accuracy in the general ledger).
- Reconcile and record monthly Amazon Business and American Express activity, ensure transactions are properly documented and approved, prepare and enter general ledger transactions.
- Monthly bank account reconciliations of all checking, savings and investment accounts to the general ledger.
Accounting Services:
- Process employee expense reimbursements (obtain proper approvals, ensure proper account coding and record in general ledger)
- Process daily journal entries for Salesforce transactions and ensure accurate coding and reconciliation between general ledger and Salesforce.
- Prepare and post routine adjusting journal entries including deferred revenue, prepaid expenses, bad debt, designations, indirect costs, lease amortizations, and other adjusting journal entries assigned.
- Assist Director, Finance and Accounting Services in monthly general ledger reconciliations by researching and resolving questions related to adjusting journal entries.
- Maintain data accuracy and ensure integrity in the accounting system.
- Collaborate on year-end reporting and assist with annual audit requests as assigned.
Operational Excellence:
- Support departmental success with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
- Provide excellent customer service and maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
Skills and Competencies:
- Basic understanding of accounting principles (GAAP) and the ability to apply them to real-world situations.
- Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail and flexibility in handling multiple tasks.
- Proficient in accounting software, with strong problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills.
SUCCESS FACTORS
Metrics of Success:
- Accurate and timely reconciliations of cash and balance sheet accounts.
- High employee compliance and satisfaction with credit card and reimbursement management.
- Consistency between Accounting and CRM systems for optimal real time financial reporting.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
- Minimum of two years of experience in accounting or finance, with a preference for familiarity with accounting software and banking platforms.
- Basic understanding of accounting principles (GAAP) and the ability to apply them to real-world situations.
- Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail and flexibility in handling multiple tasks.
- Experience with CRM, accounting software, Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to communicate knowledgeably and credibly.
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive data.
Core Competencies:
- Catalyst: A change agent who actively convenes partnerships with others who offer diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to drive community transformation and foster mission goals.
- Achievement: Driven to make a difference – actively sets challenging stretch goals – passionately and purposely aims to achieve them; demonstrating adaptability and perseverance.
- Responsive: Can be counted on to do what he or she says will be done. Models a consultative engagement approach in all interactions developing relationships both internally and externally, brings the “right” stakeholders into decisions and actions; and resolves conflicts respectfully.
- Excellence: Invests in continuous learning, generously shares knowledge and strives to do the right thing in all endeavors to positively reflect the UWGKC brand and mission.
- Solutions: Exhibits fierce resolve to understand root issues that impact achievement of results. Collaborates to devise creative, innovative solutions to optimize outcomes for those we serve.
KEY DATES
If you are interested, please apply by: April 4, 2025
We plan to begin interviewing candidates by: April 7, 2025
UWGKC Value Proposition
Work Environment: Hybrid (combined virtual and in-person office)
Benefits: Full health and dental coverage; Flexible Paid Time Off; HSA, 403B with company match; paid parental leave and paid extended medical leave, flexible office culture; employee development opportunities.
Position Leader: Director, Finance and Accounting Services
Position Leads: Accounting Services
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
United Way of Greater Kansas City - Equal Opportunity Employer
http://www.unitedwaygkc.org/about/careers
About United Way of Greater Kansas City
United Way of Greater Kansas City serves the six-county metropolitan area of Kansas City, partners with 145 agencies and serves more than 25,000 donors. The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Greater Kansas City. Its focus is to improve the health, education and financial stability of every person in the community. United Way of Greater Kansas City’s partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information, please visit www.UnitedWayGKC.org.
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