Accounting Specialist

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary 

The Accounting Specialist supports the Finance and Accounting department in the day-to-day operations of the organization's financial record-keeping. Working under the supervision of the Senior Accounting Specialist, this role performs accounts payable and receivable functions, processes invoices and vendor payments, maintains grant and contract records, and ensures that all transactions are accurately documented and coded. The Accounting Specialist also supports monthly financial reporting, the annual audit process, and expense tracking across the organization.

This role requires strong attention to detail, comfort with compliance-driven financial processes, and the ability to manage a steady volume of transactional work accurately and on time.

Responsibilities

Accounts Payable and Receivable

• Perform accounts payable functions including vendor records maintenance, purchase order matching, and invoice processing.

• Assist with accounts receivable including invoice preparation as required.

• Compile all receipts for expenses and reimbursements.

• Enter all transactions for multiple credit card accounts.

• Track and enter employee expense reports.

• Open, organize, and distribute checks and credit card slips received by mail.

Grant and Expense Coding

• Ensure proper expense classification and grant coding for all transactions.

• Review source documents including matching purchase orders to invoices for accounts payable.

• Research, track, and resolve documentation problems and discrepancies.

• Advise the accounting supervisor of issues related to data or vendor discrepancies in a timely manner.

Vendor and Donor Records

• Set up and maintain new vendor accounts.

• Assist with donation processing and donor database maintenance.

Financial Reporting and Audit Support

• Assist in the preparation of monthly financial statements as requested.

• Assist in the preparation of reports as requested.

• Support the annual audit process. Work with department supervisors, the Director of Finance, and offsite accountants to complete all required audit tasks.

Records Management

• Enter and update information in relevant accounting systems and databases.

• Maintain and organize backup documents in Dropbox and other designated systems.

• Store hard copies of data in an organized manner to support efficient retrieval and audit readiness.

Secondary Duties

• Assist with special projects and analysis as directed by the supervisor.

• Perform additional duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of experience in accounting or a closely related financial support role.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications required.

• Experience with QuickBooks Online or comparable accounting software required.

• Experience in a nonprofit or grant-funded environment preferred.

• Familiarity with GAAP, grant expense coding, and government contract billing preferred.

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.

Skills

• Processes a high volume of financial transactions with accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.

• Identifies discrepancies in invoices, coding, and documentation and resolves them without prompting.

• Manages multiple deadlines across AP, AR, and reporting functions without losing accuracy.

• Interprets and works with large data sets to support financial analysis and reporting.

• Communicates clearly and professionally in writing and verbally with internal teams, vendors, and auditors.

• Maintains organized records systems, both digital and physical, that support audit readiness at all times.

• Works independently with minimal supervision and follows through on assignments to completion.

• Collaborates effectively across the Finance, Administrative, and program teams.

• Handles sensitive financial and personnel information with discretion at all times.

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, accounting software, and relevant databases.

Mandatory Requirements

• Background Screening – Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of  background checks as required per worksite.

• Drug and Alcohol Testing – Candidates must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.

• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check – For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record.

• Legal Eligibility to Work – Candidates must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the US.

• Compliance with Company Policies and HIPAA standards – All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.

Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is required to: walk and climb stairs; stand, bend,  squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as  files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; reach with  hands and arms; be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; repeat various motions with  the wrists, hands, and fingers; be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative  and clerical tasks; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.; communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of  the spoken and written word; drive vehicles in and around Los Angeles County; be able to enter various buildings  that may require climbing stairs; be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. The employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; use a desktop and/or laptop computer; various office machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing. 

Work Environment

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the participants’ use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure or in crisis intervention.

EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HTM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

HTM will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HTM is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.