POSITION: Staff Accountant, Accounts Payable

Base Salary Range: $62,830 - $73,916.92

Extended Salary Range: $62,830 - $99,787.43

FLSA Status: Exempt/Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Accounting Manager

AGENCY SUMMARY:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years, ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success. With a staff of over 150 and a budget of $45+ million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they can support the development and well-being of our children.

OPPORTUNITY:

The Staff Accountant, Accounts Payable position will be responsible for entry and accurate GL/segment coding of high volume BSK program and agency expenses. Preparing and dispatching all and preparing any related expense adjustment entries. Assist the Accounting Manager with entering and updating cost allocation centers. Support billing team by preparing and reviewing payable reports for grant billings as requested.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Payable Accounts and Cash Disbursements

Review, accurately code, and enter backup documentation for all expenses into the NetSuite accounting system
Enter all BSK payments and verify accuracy with the BSK billing team to avoid duplicate or erroneous entries
Maintain an active list of allowable and any disallowed vendors
Prepare and maintain a list of regular monthly expenditures to ensure all payments are made promptly
Prepare all checks and EFT payments for approval and ensure all files and ledgers are accurately maintained
Act as point of contact for all vendor issues or questions
Enter new vendors according to BrightSpark policy and procedures
Assist in creating a "CSV Positive Pay File" weekly for AP checks
Enter and prepare all non-AP Cash Disbursement entries into the accounting system with proper documentation attached.
Actively communicate any issues with vendors, payables, or related concerns with Accounting Manager
Process Monthly staff reimbursements and Credit Card expenses.

Accounting and Financial Reporting

Assist the Accounting Manager with any monthly closing entries
Assist Senior Accountant on all Lease & Other Scheduled Expenses
Prepare and submit an Unclaimed Property report to Washington State annually.
Follow-up on outstanding balances on Employee AR GL (expenditures)

Audit, Compliance, and Regulatory

Prepare all payables related audit schedules
Prepare the AP 1099 annually and assist in maintaining outstanding checks and following up with vendors on issues.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or the equivalent combination of education and experience
- At least 2 years of related experience
Desired Qualifications
- Project Management Certification

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Qualifications
- Excellent skills in communicating financial information to non-finance staff, GL account reconciliation, accounts receivable collection, and tracking.
- Understanding of all accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls. Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Familiar with fund accounting, government contract compliances, and regulations, such as cost principles and procurement processes.
- Team player, equity mindset, effective written and oral communication, adapts and responds to changes, accountable and responsible, critical thinking and decision making.
- Mission-driven and passionate about the agency's values.

COMPETENCIES:

Core Competencies -
- Mission-driven: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission.
- Equity mindset:Demonstrates the values of anti-racism; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity.
- Communication: Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening.
- Adaptability: Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission
- Ownership and quality of work: Manages own work and work of teams when relevant, ensuring successful outcomes.

COMPENSATION:

Base Salary Range: $62,830 - $73,916.92
Extended Salary Range: $62,830 - $99,787.43
FLSA Status: Exempt/Non-Exempt
- This is a full-time salaried position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5 pm, and requires a willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum salary range for this position. Base salary will be used when considering compensation for a new employee.

Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill, and education as they relate to the position's qualifications, in addition to internal racial equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total compensation package.

Other components of the total compensation package may include participation in group life, health and dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program(s), paid time off, and paid holidays.

BENEFITS:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services' benefits package includes employer-paid top-tier medical, dental and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability/illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match.

WORK LOCATION:

This position is a Hybrid Position.
Hybrid positions at BrightSpark require at least two days in the office per week. However, these days may change based on individual positions and department needs.
BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, field, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State, including the New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.

EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff. We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS

To learn more about BrightSpark Early Learning Services, please visit BrightSpark.org
BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant-funded nonprofit organization. This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.

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