Accounting Manager I

Accounting Manager I

Location: 1825 I (Eye) Street, Suite 800, NW, Washington, DC 20006

Employment Status: Regular/Full-Time/Exempt

Schedule: Hybrid. 2 days/week per LSC's Hybrid Work Policy.

About LSC: Established by Congress in 1974, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the country's single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. LSC currently funds roughly 130 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations with more than 800 offices throughout the nation. LSC's mission is to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

Job Function

Under the direction of the Director, Financial Services, the Accounting Manager plans, directs, and oversees the day-to-day accounting operations of the Office of Financial and Administrative Services (OFAS). The position is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the LSC's financial records; managing the monthly and annual financial close process, maintaining compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal regulations, organizational policies, and overseeing key accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, grants payable, payroll, cash management, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.

The Accounting Manager provides leadership and supervision to the accounting team, established and maintains effective internal controls, coordinate LSC's annual financial audit and regulatory compliance activities. The position works collaboratively with the Financial Planning & Analysis Manager and other offices to support sound financial management. The position also leads continuous process improvement initiatives to strengthen internal controls, improve efficiency, and ensure the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of LSC's financial reporting.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plans, directs, and manages the daily operations of the accounting department, ensuring accurate and timely processing of financial transactions in accordance with GAAP and organizational policies.
2. Oversees the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring timely completion of account reconciliations, journal entries, financial analyses, and accurate financial statements.
3. Maintains responsibility for the integrity of the general ledger, ensuring transactions are properly recorded, classified, and supported by appropriate documentation.
4. Reviews and approves journal entries, account reconciliations, and other accounting transactions prepared by accounting staff to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with accounting standards.
5. Oversees cash management activities, including banking operations, cash transactions, reconciliations, and monitoring of cash balances.
6. Oversees accounts payable, grants payable, payroll processing, and related accounting activities to ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds.
7. Coordinates the annual financial statement audit by preparing schedules, responding to auditor inquiries, managing audit requests, and ensuring the timely completion of audit deliverables.
8. Develops, implements, and continuous strengthens accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with GAAP and organizational policies.
9. Oversees the preparation of the LSC's Form 990 and 5500, state charitable solicitation registrations, and other required financial, tax, and regulatory filings while coordinating with external auditors.
10. Monitors compliance with accounting policies and procedures, identifies risks, and recommends corrective actions when appropriate.
11. Leads the implementation, enhancement, and optimization of accounting systems and processes to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and increase automation.
12. Collaborates with the Financial Planning & Analysis Manager to support the annual budget process, financial forecasting, cash flow planning, and organizational financial reporting.
13. Assists the Director, Financial Services with special projects, financial analyses, policy development, and strategic initiatives that support OFAS.
14. Provides leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development for accounting staff, including establishing performance expectations, conducting performance evaluations, and promoting continuous learning and accountability.
15. Assigns, monitors, and evaluates staff workloads to ensure timely completion of accounting tasks while promoting operational efficiency and exceptional customer service.
16. Fosters a collaborative, service-oriented work environment that emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies Required

Bachelor's degree in accounting, a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional accounting required, preferably in a nonprofit organization. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is preferred. Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is highly desirable.

Thorough knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, internal controls, financial reporting, and financial statement preparation. Demonstrated experience managing month-end and year-end close processes, coordinating external financial statement audits, and overseeing payroll and retirement plan accounting, and cash management. Experience developing, documenting, and enhancing accounting policies, procedures and internal controls.

Strong analytical, problem solving, and financial reporting skills with attention to detail. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-accountants. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative working relationships across all levels of the organization.

Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and supervise accounting staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated sound judgment, discretion in handling confidential information, and the ability to make informed decisions involving complex financial matters.

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience within a range of $127,472 - $132,621

LSC has a competitive market-based salary structure that establishes a specific salary range for this position which has 10 steps. A new hire is typically hired at Step 1 and receives a step increase annually. In special circumstances, LSC may authorize a new hire to start at a higher step based on a special business need or the significantly higher qualifications of the new employee. Employees hired after October 1st of any calendar year will receive their first step increase in January following their first full year of employment.

Application Procedure

A cover letter and résumé must be included. To have your application considered, please answer all application questions and provide all requested information.

Note: If you need an accommodation during the application process, please notify OHR at View email address on click.appcast.io.

LSC is an equal opportunity employer.