Accountant 1 At The Salvation Army Alaska Divisional Headquarters

Mission Statement: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Title:                  Accountant I

Department:                   Finance, Divisional Headquarters

Reports to:                       Division Finance Manager                                       

FSLA Status:                     Full-Time/ 40 hours per week; Non-Exempt                                                                   

Scope of Position: The Accountant I’s main duties are to assist the Division Finance Manager (DFM) with managing and analyzing the Alaska Division’s financial performance, assist with budget preparation, assist with financial grants management and reporting, work in cohesion with the with Salvation Army Northwest (NW) Division Finance department, which maintains all of financial accounting records related to the operations of the Alaska Division as well as prepares all account reconciliations. Accountant I will follow internal policies and procedures as well as Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) principles for not-for-profit accounting.   Accountant I is also to be cross-training on Medicaid billing and serve as a back-up.

Education and Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required.
2. Two years of prior accounting experience is preferred.
3. Prior experience in the areas of non-profit, grant, and fund accounting, including the use of non-profit accounting software, is preferred.

1. Proficient in use of computer, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), multiline telephone system, and general office equipment; ability to perform general and complex mathematical computations using Excel.
2. Basic ability to read and understand non-profit financial statements.
3. Knowledge of general accounting policies, practices, and procedures.
4. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
5. Ability to work professionally and harmoniously with others. 
6. Ability to do research and solve problems independently.
7. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
8. Ability to complete multiple projects with a high degree of accuracy while remaining detail oriented.
9. Current Alaska driver’s license with acceptable driving and criminal history backgrounds.   

Essential Functions:

1. Perform monthly financial analysis, explain major variances, and go over the financials results with Corps Officers, providing additional detail, as needed.
2. Work in conjunction with NW Finance in assisting the Corps Officers regarding financial records, including grants-related transactions.
3. Run various reports on demand, for internal and external users.
4. Review the AK Division general ledger (GL) for old transactions and miscoded activity (GL scrubbing).  Reach out to NW Finance for any reclassifications.
5. Review expense coding and allocations for all programs and address discrepancies.
6. Prepare monthly and quarterly grant financial reports.
7. Assist Corps and Programs with annual budgets preparations.
8. Assist with the preparation of Financial Statements and UGG audits deliverables.
9. Assist with annual assessments and allocations to various Corps and programs.
10. Facilitate local check printing with NW.
11. Assist with review of Divisional Headquarter (DHQ) cash deposits batch headers to ensure proper coding.
12. Cross-train with DFM on other duties, to serve as back-up.
13. Cross-train with Billing Manager on Medicaid billing and collections, to serve as back-up.
14. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a well-lighted, heated, and ventilated office setting.  The noise level is generally low.

Physical Demands:

1. Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, stoop, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead.
2. Ability to operate proficiently all general office equipment and to lift up to 25 lbs.
3. Ability to spend long periods at computer accessing and producing information.
4. Ability to understand and clearly communicate written and verbal information.
5. Ability to work in a deadline driven business environment during regular business hours and occasionally work additionally as needed to accomplish the demands of the position.
6. Ability to operate a motor vehicle in daylight, darkness, and during periods of inclement weather.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Software-related Skills:  Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook familiarity preferred. Ability to use new software programs with basic training.

Language Skills:  Must be able to understand, follow and give both written and oral instructions and be comfortable working with diverse individuals in face-to-face contact and over the telephone. The employee must be able to use speech and hearing for ordinary and telephone conversation.

Mathematical Skills:  Must be able to perform simple calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and apply concepts such as ratios and percentages in practical situations.

Performance Skills:  Must be punctual, organized, self-motivated, flexible, and possess a desire to learn and assist those he/she interacts with.

Protect the Mission:  Must complete the online course for this area and pass the Background Checks required by The Salvation Army for employment.

Driver Requirements:  Must be a licensed driver with acceptable driving history. Must also complete and pass The Salvation Army Driver Safety Course.

Acknowledgement of Religious Purposes of The Salvation Army:  The employee acknowledges that he/she has been informed and understands The Salvation Army’s religious purpose and status as a church. The employee agrees that he/she shall do nothing to his/her relationship with The Salvation Army as an employee to undermine its religious mission. The employee agrees and understands that his/her services are a necessary part of The Army’s religious purposes, and his/her work-related conduct must not conflict with, interfere with, or undermine such religious programs or The Army’s religious purposes.

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.