Senior Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Accountant

Department & Division : Finance; Administration

Reports To: Controller

Beginning Pay Range: $75,000- $85,000/ 40hrs per week

Classification: Full Time (32hr-40hr per week), Salaried, Exempt

D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s

D.A. Blodgett - St. John's is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening children and families through a comprehensive continuum of care, including, but not limited to; counseling, family preservation, foster care, adoption, and residential treatment. Guided by the belief that children thrive best with their families whenever safety can be ensured, the organization delivers compassionate, evidence-based services designed to promote healing, stability, and long-term success. Primarily serving children, youth, and families in the greater Grand Rapids area, with select programs reaching communities across Michigan, D.A. Blodgett - St. John's is committed to creating brighter futures through prevention, intervention, and lifelong support. Rooted in dignity, equity, and belonging, the organization is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment where all children, all families, and all individuals are valued, supported, and empowered.

Mission Statement : To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support.

Vision : A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family.

Values:

• Exceptional Service: Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work.
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: All are welcomed, valued, and belong.
• Excellence: Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
• Integrity: Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
• Creativity: Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
• Passion: Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision.

Culture Commitments:

• Nonviolence: Maintaining physical and emotional safety for everyone in our community. 
• Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and managing emotions in ways that support our well-being and that of others. 
• Democracy: Everyone's voice, perspective, and lived experience are valued in our process, even when roles differ. 
• Open Communication: We communicate how decisions are made and ensure transparency, consistency, and fairness in our processes. 
• Social Responsibility: Communicate with honesty and kindness, speaking in ways that uphold dignity and respect- even when topics are challenging. 
• Growth & Change: Creating opportunities to learn with and from one another for education, growth, healing, and self-reflection for ourselves and the people we support. 
• Cultural Humility: We approach difference with openness, curiosity, and an ongoing commitment to learning. 
• Trauma-Responsive Practices: We recognize the impact of trauma and work to minimize harm, promote agency and support healing. 
• Identity Safety: We honor and respect the intersecting identities people hold, and we work to prevent identity-harm or discrimination. 
• Anti-Racism: We work actively to recognize and interrupt bias, discrimination, and systemic inequities in our work and interactions. 

Position Summary:

The Senior Accountant is responsible for overseeing general ledger activities and managing the month-end close process to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. The position supports financial statement preparation, variance analysis, and budgeting efforts while ensuring all accounts are properly reconciled and supported.

Working closely with the Controller, this role helps improve reporting, strengthen internal controls, and enhance accounting processes. Additional responsibilities include reviewing staff work, supporting audits, maintaining the chart of accounts, and assisting with day-to-day accounting operations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Month-End Close & General Ledger Oversight
  • Oversee and coordinate the monthly and annual close to ensure timely, accurate financial reporting
  • Review journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules prepared by staff for accuracy and completeness
  • Approve or post journal entries, ensuring proper accounting treatment and documentation
  • Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled and supported; identify and resolve discrepancies
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
  • Prepare and review monthly financial statements for accuracy and completeness
  • Analyze results, including budget-to-actual variances, and identify trends or issues
  • Ensure reports are fully supported by reconciliations and schedules prior to distribution
  • Support budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modeling efforts
  • Assist with internal and external reporting, including program and cost reports
  • Partner with the Controller to enhance reporting, dashboards, and insights
• Process Improvement & Systems Optimization
  • Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, workflows, and close efficiency
  • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for key accounting functions
  • Support implementation and maintenance of accounting systems and tools
  • Assist the Controller in strengthening internal controls and improving data accuracy
• Other Duties
  • Prepare audit workpapers and schedules for external audit support
  • Provide backup coverage for key accounting functions and assist with day-to-day issues
  • Review and provide guidance on work prepared by staff accountants
  • Maintain the chart of accounts and overall general ledger integrity
  • Other duties as assigned by Controller

Supervision Received:

Specific Direction – General Direction- Plans and arranges own work. Uses a wide range of procedures to accomplish assigned objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a similar field
• 3-5 years of accounting experience, including general ledger and month-end close responsibilities
• Experience reviewing journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements
• Demonstrated experience supporting audits and preparing audit schedules/workpapers
• Proficiency in accounting systems/ERP platforms and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Possess an understanding and sensitivity to the client’s socioeconomic characteristics with personal qualities of warmth with the ability to establish meaningful relationships with people from various cultures.

Core Competencies:

• Problem solving: Ability to recognize and evaluate multiple courses of action by gathering diverse perspectives, organizing information equitably, identifying systemic and root‑cause factors, and applying inclusive and flexible contingency plans.
• Decision Making: Ability to select and commit to an effective and equitable course of action by understanding issues, comparing solutions transparently, considering impacts on all stakeholders, and drawing fair and informed conclusions.
• Technical Skills: Ability to use technical knowledge and training to execute work effectively while applying accessible, inclusive practices and delivering high‑quality results that consider diverse user needs.
• Working under Pressure: Ability to maintain composure and use healthy coping strategies when exposed to stress, while promoting a supportive environment that reduces unnecessary pressure and encourages collective problem‑solving.
• Planning and Organizing: Ability to set priorities and allocate resources equitably, using inclusive planning methods to effectively achieve responsibilities and objectives while accommodating diverse work styles and needs.
• Detail Orientation: Ability to pay attention to detail, accuracy, and completeness by using inclusive, accessible processes that support focus and reduce cognitive overload.
• Reliability: Ability to be dependable, trustworthy, and committed to high‑quality work by meeting expectations consistently while communicating proactively and honoring diverse needs and circumstances.
• Communication: Ability to express and receive ideas clearly and respectfully using inclusive, accessible, and culturally aware communication methods; demonstrating active listening and adapting communication for diverse audiences and group sizes.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing work environments, priorities, or organizational needs with openness and flexibility, while supporting others through change and considering the varied impacts on individuals.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Ability to recognize, respect, and adapt to cultural differences, promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of care.

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

• Mobility and Movement: Ability to work in a variety of settings, including office environments, meeting spaces, community locations, and virtual platforms.
• Lifting & Physical Handling: Occasional lifting or carrying of items such as laptop, and other office supplies (typically 10 lbs).
• Technology & Documentation: Ability to use computers, phones, and other standard office technology for extended periods to review data, prepare reports, participate in virtual meetings, and complete administrative tasks.
• Communication: Ability to engage in clear, respectful communication in diverse environments, including in-person meetings, virtual settings, and community discussions.
• Environmental Conditions: Ability to work in environments with varying levels of noise, activity, or interruptions, and to adapt to changing priorities or urgent situations.
• Work Hours & Scheduling Flexibility: Ability to flex full-time work, with a minimum of 32 hours and the potential for additional hours during busier periods.
• Confidentiality & Professional Boundaries: Consistent adherence to confidentiality laws, ethical standards, and professional boundaries while working in community settings, and agency offices.

DABSJ strives to be a fully inclusive organization as we support a diverse group of children and families. We are building a diverse team that represents our customers and our community and recognize that each of us brings a unique perspective to the organization. We welcome differing thoughts, faiths, beliefs, groups, and lived experiences. The diversity and differences of each team member, foster parent, adoptive parent, child, and family make us #DABSJstrongertogether for children and families.

DABSJ is an equal opportunity, at-will employer, and will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment. DABSJ does not discriminate on the basis of race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists; culture, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, socio-economic status, disability, or other legally-protected characteristics as required by law.

This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the Company’s at will employment status.