Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant
About the Client

A nonprofit organization offering residential, mental and behavioral health, educational, trauma recovery, and case management services for youth and families.


Position Summary

The Staff Accountant is a hands-on accounting role that supports monthly close, general ledger, and financial reporting. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, this person will prepare journal entries, reconcile accounts, and support special projects across the finance function.

The role also serves as the key link between Human Resources and payroll, managed through Ignite. The Staff Accountant makes sure payroll activity is recorded accurately, reconciled on time, and reflected correctly in the general ledger. This is a true accounting position for a detail-oriented professional who wants to build expertise in a complex nonprofit environment.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End Close and General Ledger

• Carry out assigned month-end and year-end close tasks accurately and on schedule
• Prepare, document, and post journal entries in Sage Intacct, including accruals, prepaids, reclasses, depreciation, and allocations
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations, researching and resolving variances promptly
• Keep the general ledger accurate and well organized across programs, departments, and funding sources
• Help prepare monthly financial statements and variance analysis for the Director of Finance

Payroll Accounting and HR Liaison

• Serve as the main finance contact between Human Resources and payroll (Ignite)
• Review payroll registers and reports each pay period for accuracy before posting to the general ledger
• Record payroll, payroll taxes, benefits, and related accruals in Sage Intacct
• Reconcile payroll clearing, tax, benefit, and withholding accounts every month
• Work with HR to resolve discrepancies involving new hires, terminations, pay changes, deductions, and benefit elections
• Make sure payroll costs are allocated correctly to programs, departments, and funding sources

Revenue, Grants, and Program Accounting

• Support accurate recording of program revenue, contributions, and grant activity
• Help track restricted funds and prepare supporting schedules
• Help with cost allocations and program-level reporting as needed

Audit, Compliance, and Reporting

• Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for the annual financial audit and Form 990
• Help maintain strong internal controls and documented accounting procedures
• Provide support for regulatory, funder, and internal reporting requirements

Special Projects

• Take part in process improvement, system optimization, and reporting initiatives within Sage Intacct
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and ad hoc analysis requested by the Director of Finance
• Help document and standardize close checklists and accounting workflows

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field
• 2+ years of progressive, hands-on accounting experience, including month-end close, journal entries, and account reconciliations
• Solid working knowledge of U.S. GAAP
• Experience with payroll accounting and reconciliation
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and reconciliation workbooks
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through
• Clear, professional communication with finance, HR, and program staff
• Ability to work onsite in Baltimore five days per week

Preferred

• Experience with Sage Intacct
• Experience with Ignite or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform
• Nonprofit, fund, or grant accounting experience, including net asset restrictions
• Experience in healthcare, human services, education, or government-funded organizations
• Experience supporting annual audits and Form 990 preparation
• Progress toward a CPA

Core Competencies

• Accuracy and Ownership: Takes full responsibility for deliverables and keeps a high standard of quality
• Timeliness: Meets close deadlines consistently in a structured, recurring cycle
• Collaboration: Builds productive working relationships with HR, payroll, and program leaders
• Problem Solving: Looks into variances thoroughly and identifies root causes
• Mission Alignment: Cares about work that supports youth, families, and communities