Senior Accountant

Who We Are

Children’s Law Center is a mission-driven organization focused on providing high-quality legal services to children and families in DC.  As an organization, we envision a world in which all children have a strong foundation of family, health and education and are free from poverty, trauma, racism and other forms of oppression. Our mission is to do this work together with DC children and families, Children’s Law Center uses the law to solve children’s urgent problems today, improve the systems that will affect their lives tomorrow and strengthen our community so that change endures.  A key part of our mission is to challenge and reduce ways in which racism and other biases – structural and interpersonal – prevent each of us, our organization and the systems in which we work from providing children a strong foundation from which to thrive.   

Our greatest assets are our people.  We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our ability to provide the best outcomes for our clients and our community. Staff members at Children’s Law Center advance the organization’s mission through their leadership, result-oriented mindset and commitment to cultural humility.  We are looking for individuals who like to be challenged to grow both personally and professionally and value the opportunity to make a difference in their community.  Children's Law Center's continued success depends on recruiting and retaining individuals who possess and exemplify these attributes.

Program Description

The Operations function supports the day-to-day infrastructure, systems and administrative activities that enables Children's Law Center to deliver high-quality programs and services effectively and efficiently. Operations includes oversight of organizational processes, finance, vendor management, facilities, technology, compliance and cross-functional administrative support.

Job Summary

The Senior Accountant partners closely with Operations leadership to ensure accurate financial management, timely reporting, budget oversight, compliance with organizational policies and grant requirements and strong internal controls. The Senior Accountant supports the organization’s financial operations through accurate accounting, grant financial management and compliance coordination. This role is responsible for monthly close activities, reconciliations, grant reporting and day-to-day financial operations.

The Senior Accountant works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and External Controller to ensure timely, accurate financial information and strong fiscal stewardship aligned with the organization’s mission.

Role Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Reconciliations

• Prepare draft monthly financial statements and internal reports for review.
• Complete monthly bank, credit card and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies identified during reconciliation.
• Maintain reconciliation schedules to support accurate financial reporting.
• Monitor and analyze budget-to-actual performance across programs and departments.
• Support the Controller with cash flow reporting and GAAP-related compliance as needed.
• Complete payroll tax filings, including Form 941 and filings for state withholding and unemployment.
• Manage tax deposits, remittances and year-end tax reconciliation and reporting.

Budget Coordination and Financial Support

• Support the annual budgeting process led by the Chief Operating Officer and Controller by gathering, organizing and entering budget data.
• Meet with Program Directors at the start of each fiscal year to review approved budgets.
• Conduct quarterly financial check-ins with Program Directors to review spending and financial performance.
• Prepare budget-related materials and internal financial summaries as requested.

Grant Financial Management

• Monitor grant budgets and restricted funds to ensure compliance with funder requirements.
• Prepare financial reports and supporting documentation for grant proposals and funder reporting.
• Work with Grants Manager to ensure proper allocation and tracking of grant expenses.
• Maintain grant reporting schedules and financial compliance documentation.

Financial Operations and Internal Controls

• Execute established financial policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Ensure appropriate coding of expenses and provide training to staff during onboarding.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and escalate internal control considerations to the Chief Operating Officer.
• Support financial system improvements and implementation efforts.

Audit and Regulatory Support

• Support the annual financial audit by preparing schedules and providing required documentation.
• Lead the organization’s annual 401(k) audit, including coordination with auditors, preparation of required schedules and ensuring timely completion.
• Assist with preparation of financial materials for the organization’s Form 990.
• Support financial components of regulatory filings and registrations.

Organizational Compliance Coordination

• Coordinate with Development, HR and Operations to ensure timely completion of required financial and regulatory filings.
• Maintain an organizational compliance calendar for financial reporting and regulatory deadlines.

Financial Systems and Staff Support

• Prepare and deliver tax documentation, including W-2s and 1099, to staff.
• Support implementation and improvement of financial systems and reporting processes.
• Provide guidance to staff on financial procedures, expense coding and budget tracking.
• Review work performed by the accountant responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable and bookkeeping functions.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of nonprofit accounting or financial management experience.
• Experience with nonprofit financial reporting and grant compliance, including managing grant budgets, restricted funding and funder financial reporting.
• Experience supporting monthly close processes, preparing financial reports, supporting annual audits and preparing Form 990.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and financial operations.
• Experience preparing financial reports and analyzing financial performance.
• Proficiency with accounting systems, such as QuickBooks, and advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with budget monitoring.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret financial data and identify discrepancies, trends and risks.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines with accuracy.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance staff and leaders.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with programs, development, HR and operations teams.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain documentation, schedules and compliance calendars.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information appropriately.
• Experience building or improving financial processes, workflows or reporting tools.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with non-finance leaders on budget management.
• Experience with supporting budget development and variance analysis.
• CPA or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related fields is a plus.

Organizational Competencies

• Cultural Humility – an openness to self-reflection and to understanding and respecting other cultural experiences and points of view and viewing individuals as experts in their own culture and experiences.
• Giving and Receiving Feedback – the ability to be self-reflective, give and receive appreciative, coaching, constructive, interpersonal and evaluative feedback.
• Conflict Management – a process which is designed to guide individuals and groups from the moment of conflict to the implementation of an identified solution. This process incorporates skills and techniques, including recognizing points of conflict, identifying the facts and feelings involved to get to the root of the issue, investigating equitable solutions, implementing and evaluating solutions and supporting and guiding others throughout the process.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position ranges from $80,000-$110,000 annually based on relevant experience. Children’s Law Center offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance; employer-provided retirement contributions; flexible spending plans; and vacation, sick, holiday, family and medical leave. You can find more details about Children’s Law Center’s comprehensive benefits package at https://childrenslawcenter.org/get-involved/careers/employee-benefits/.

Children’s Law Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. Employees with federal student loan debt can apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. For more information, go to https://myfedloan.org/borrowers/special-programs/pslf. 

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume as a PDF file via CLC's careers page (https://childrenslawcenter.org/get-involved/careers/).

Children’s Law Center is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. If you believe that you need accommodation to search for, or apply for, one of our positions please send an email to Jobs@ChildrensLawCenter.org. In your email, please include the accommodation you are requesting and the job title you are applying for. It may take up to three business days to receive a response to your request.

Hybrid Working Conditions

Children’s Law Center is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule.  Employees are required to work in-person from Children’s Law Center’s office a minimum of two days per week.  The hybrid work schedule is subject to change based on organizational needs and/or best practices for health and safety.  Hybrid work expectations may vary depending upon role responsibilities.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.  Children’s Law Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Background Checks

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be subject to a background check.

EEO

Children’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and existing employees. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our company and our career opportunities (https://childrenslawcenter.org/get-involved/careers/).

Our Commitment

Children’s Law Center is dedicated to building a world that is inclusive in approach and has equal opportunities and equitable outcomes for all. Our organization is committed to developing and supporting a robustly diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist community, where all members can create and feel a sense of belonging. Through our collective deliberate efforts, we work toward racial and social justice for children and families in DC.