Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant

Unleash your accounting skills and make a difference with the Westside Justice Center. Join our mission-driven team and play a critical role in advancing access to justice in our communities.

Founded in 2015, the Westside Justice Center (WJC) is not just a workplace—it is a community-centered Legal Aid clinic committed to eradicating barriers to justice and uplifting authentic community leadership.

As a Staff Accountant, you will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day financial operations of a small not-for-profit organization by maintaining accurate financial records, processing routine accounting transactions, and assisting with accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and general bookkeeping activities.

This role will also provide limited support for grant tracking and payment activities as needed; however, primary responsibility for major grant tracking, reporting, and compliance will remain with the Senior Staff Accountant.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, complete, and well-organized accounting records for day-to-day financial activity, ensuring transactions are recorded timely and in accordance with established procedures
• Manage accounts payable processing, including reviewing invoices for accuracy and proper approval, coding expenses, entering bills, preparing payments, maintaining vendor records, and resolving routine discrepancies
• Support accounts receivable functions by preparing invoices, recording payments, monitoring outstanding balances, following up on routine receivables, and maintaining accurate customer or funder records
• Prepare and post recurring and routine journal entries, review transaction detail for accuracy, and support maintenance of the general ledger
• Perform timely reconciliations of bank accounts, credit cards, vendor accounts, customer accounts, balance sheet accounts, and other assigned accounts; research and resolve variances as needed
• Assist with month-end and year-end close by preparing schedules, reconciling assigned accounts, gathering supporting documentation, and identifying items requiring review or adjustment
• Maintain organized accounting files, audit support, and historical financial records in accordance with internal procedures, documentation standards, and retention requirements
• Prepare routine financial reports, account summaries, schedules, and transaction detail by collecting, reviewing, and organizing financial information for management review
• Support grant-related payment tracking, restricted fund activity, and funder documentation in coordination with the Senior Staff Accountant and program staff
• Assist with maintaining documentation for restricted funds, grant payments, allocations, and related transactions to support accurate records and compliance with funder requirements
• Apply established internal controls, accounting policies, approval procedures, and not-for-profit financial practices consistently, escalating unusual items or exceptions when appropriate
• Communicate professionally with staff, vendors, customers, funders, and other stakeholders to obtain information, resolve routine accounting questions, and support timely processing of financial activity
• Perform other accounting, reporting, documentation, and administrative duties as assigned to support the finance function

Successful Candidates Will Possess:

• A minimum of an associate's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field is required; bachelor's degree preferred
• Minimum of two years of professional accounting, bookkeeping, or finance experience required, preferably in a small business, nonprofit, or mission-driven environment
• Demonstrated hands-on experience applying accounting principles, bookkeeping practices, and financial recordkeeping in a professional setting
• Working experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank and account reconciliations, journal entries, and general ledger activity
• Intermediate proficiency with spreadsheets, including Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets; ability to organize data, review details, and prepare basic schedules or reconciliations
• Hands-on experience using accounting software required; QuickBooks experience strongly preferred
• Strong attention to detail and ability to complete work accurately and efficiently
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and follow through on routine accounting tasks in a small-office environment
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and verbally
• Ability to apply established accounting procedures and internal controls with sound judgment, accuracy, and appropriate follow-through
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Reliability, discretion, and professionalism in handling financial information
• A willingness to learn, ask questions, and grow within a small finance team
• Strong follow-through and the ability to manage recurring deadlines
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment with evolving priorities
• A collaborative approach and ability to support colleagues across departments

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of accounting or finance experience in a not-for-profit, community-based, government-funded, or mission-driven organization
• Hands-on experience with grant accounting, restricted fund tracking, funder payment documentation, allocation support, and compliance-related recordkeeping
• Experience supporting month-end and year-end close, audit preparation, financial reporting packages, and documentation requests from external funders or auditors
• Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks or similar accounting software, including transaction entry, reconciliations, reporting, vendor records, and chart of accounts maintenance
• Intermediate to advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills, including formulas, filters, pivot tables, reconciliations, schedules, and financial data review
• Experience working in a small finance team where the role requires initiative, sound judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to manage multiple recurring accounting deadlines

NOTE: A copy of your professional license, academic transcripts, or relevant training certificates will be required at the time of interview, if applicable.

Benefits

• Community Impact
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) retirement plan

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones
• Ability to communicate verbally
• Ability to spend extended time working on a computer
• Occasional need for local travel for work-related reasons

Compensation

Actual compensation will be determined based on a wide array of relevant factors, including market considerations, organizational needs, and an individual's skills, experience, and qualifications. Target salary hiring range is $60,000 - $70,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Westside Justice Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.

We prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, military service or discharge status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with our mission to advance justice and equity, people of color, women, LGBTQI-GNC individuals, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated people are strongly encouraged to apply.