Staff Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a detail-oriented Staff Accountant to support grant, gift, and restricted fund accounting for a non-profit in Cleveland, Ohio. This position plays a key role in maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with donor and grant requirements, and preparing documentation that supports reporting and audit readiness. The role works closely with Finance, Philanthropy, and program teams across the organization, using sound judgment to interpret funding terms and resolve accounting questions.

Responsibilities:

• Manage accounting activity related to grants, pledges, charitable gift annuities, and donor-restricted or purpose-specific funds, ensuring transactions are recorded accurately and completely.

• Review grant- and donor-funded expenses to confirm proper coding, allowability, and adherence to the terms of each agreement or restriction.

• Track receivables, deferred revenue, pledge balances, discount calculations, and related schedules to support timely financial reporting.

• Reconcile monthly philanthropy and gift activity to the general ledger, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate corrections with internal stakeholders.

• Prepare financial schedules, reporting support, and audit documentation for grants, restricted funds, endowment-related activity, and other assigned accounts.

• Monitor reporting deadlines, fund expiration dates, and closeout requirements, partnering with program and administrative teams to address outstanding items.

• Evaluate the accounting treatment of cash, securities, and other contributed assets while ensuring gifts are classified in accordance with donor intent and accounting guidelines.

• Serve as a Finance contact for compliance questions tied to philanthropic contributions and escalate complex or high-risk matters to senior finance leadership when needed.

• Provide cross-functional backup support within Finance, including assistance with accounts payable, vendor administration, debt interest tracking, and selected tax-related processes.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience in general ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end financial processes.
• Background in grant accounting, restricted fund accounting, or nonprofit financial reporting.
• Knowledge of gift, pledge, and receivable accounting, including the ability to maintain supporting schedules and reconciliations.
• Familiarity with compliance review for donor-funded or grant-funded expenditures and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience using accounting systems and financial tools such as Blackbaud or similar platforms.
• Working knowledge of corporate tax, sales tax, or related tax processes is preferred.
• Strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.