Staff Accountant

Summary

The Staff Accountant is an integral part of the Accounting & Financial Department and works under the direction of the CFO. This individual is primarily responsible for documenting and recording financial transactions for NOPEC. Responsibilities include disbursement request processing, recording receipts, and initiating transfers. Communicates with department personnel, payees and other involved parties to ensure processing is completed timely, accurately and with required authorization. Enter and analyze data and coordinate necessary steps for follow-through and reconciliation of accounts. Maintains accounting and other financial records in accordance with retention policy. Assists in the financial audit and other regulatory processes. Provides approved reports to the leadership team and Board. Compiles and analyzes account information; research questions and discrepancies; and audit information and documents received by the Accounting Department. This individual may also be involved in implementing updated accounting and related software, documenting departmental process/procedural changes and updates, while working in conjunction with the leadership team and other company personnel.

Core Values

• Integrity - Maintains organizational confidence by protecting operational assets and processes. Keeps financial and other personal information confidential. 
• Driven Team Player - Contributes to organizational success by welcoming related, different, and new requests; Cooperative team player who works well with others to problem solve.
• Intelligent with Sound Judgement - Protects financial assets by monitoring internal controls.
• Confident Leader & Thinker - Owns position on the Team, maintains a high level of productivity and offers feedback to add value to the organization.
• Humble and Flexible– Willingly and cooperatively takes direction from CFO and other Executive Officers

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Illustrative duties may include, but are not restricted to, one or more of the following:

General Accounting – 30% of time

• Ensure financial transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
• Perform bank, credit card and investment account reconciliations monthly.
• Record revenue, loan and other cash receipt transactions. Make bank deposits if required.
• Follow documented procedures and internal controls. Comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

  Account Reconciliation – 20% of time

• Monitor pending PACE loans and follow up on outstanding set-up paperwork. Maintain communication with borrower, city, county and other NOPEC staff as needed through loan closing.
• Reconcile bank, credit card and investment accounts monthly.
• Reconcile A/P aging report (for all vendor types) with A/P general ledger balance monthly. Identify and research any discrepancies for resolution.

  Accounts Payable – 20% of time

• Record all vendor invoices and credit card transactions in financial software, verifying amount billed, proper period, G/L account, departmental approvals and proper NOPEC entity allocation.
• Prepare all disbursements (including loan repayments) through authorized bank accounts, including both check and ACH after verifying documentation and required authorization.

  Other – 20% of time

• Communicate with banking and credit card personnel on any exception items and other banking situations which require resolution.
• Assist Controller and CFO with special assignments

  Accounting Analysis – 10% of time

• Create invoices for the PACE loan program to be distributed twice annually. Follow up on any outstanding loan (PACE or STEP) balances.
• Prepare and perform preliminary review of monthly financial statements. Identify obvious missing information and financial reporting errors.

Background

• Bachelor of Business/Arts in Accounting or related field
• Three years or more in Accounting or Finance, with government accounting experience preferred

Other Skillsets & Responsibilities

• Improves accounting job knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional and technical publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Communicating effectively in writing and verbally as appropriate for the needs of the audience. 
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Proficient in basic office software, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Familiar with and experience in the use of basic accounting software platforms. 

Physical Requirements

• Sitting, standing and bending. 
• Ability to use office equipment including but not limited to office copier, shredder, computer equipment, audio/visual equipment.
• Ability to speak in a clear and easily comprehensible manner. 

NOPEC Mission and Call to Service

• NOPEC is the largest governmental retail aggregation in the United States. We have more than 250 member communities in 20 counties throughout northeast We exist for the sole purpose of serving our member communities and consumers.
• To fulfill this purpose, we aggregate, educate and advocate, maximizing the value we bring to our members. 
• The NOPEC team members who help us fulfill this mission must be confident, thinking leaders who are both humble and flexible. We exist to serve and must be willing to put our shoulders to that service regardless of where, how and when the opportunity for service may present itself. We are driven team players, intelligent with sound judgement, who understand and forward the needs of the people and communities we serve and who roll up our sleeves to work both collectively and individually to live up to and exceed the expectations of the public we serve.

Working Conditions

• Incumbent will work in a hybrid office environment. Incumbent should understand the expectation is that this job periodically requires a 40+ hour per week commitment.
• Verification of identity, education, prior employment, and references may be required. 
• We are a drug-free workplace, and an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.