Senior Staff Accountant

Senior Staff Accountant

Avalon Housing (Avalon) is a non-profit supportive housing provider created in 1992 as a long-term solution to homelessness. Avalon is a service provider, real estate developer, and property manager. Avalon owns and operates apartments at sites throughout Washtenaw County, in addition to providing housing alternatives with affordable housing partners and in the private landlord market. We work with adults and families who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness.

Our Finance Department is committed to timely, accurate, and responsible financial management. We serve directors, staff, board members, and clients to ensure that all financial matters are handled with care, integrity, and consistency, always in the best interests of Avalon Housing, our clients, and the broader community. The department supports more than 10 legal entities within our organizational structure, all working together to advance our mission.

The Senior Staff Accountant plays a key role in supporting Avalon Housing by providing a broad range of financial and accounting services as part of the Finance Department. This position requires both strong technical expertise and sound managerial capability. In addition to a solid foundation in accounting and corporate finance, the successful candidate must demonstrate advanced technology skills to thrive in Avalon's fast-paced and growing environment.

Key Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, some of the key benefits that Avalon staff receive are the following:

Paid Time Off:

Paid time off includes three weeks of vacation time plus additional sick and personal time allowances. There is also an extra paid holiday every month!

Medical Benefits:

Full-time employees can select from three comprehensive medical insurance plans, including coverage options for your family. Plus, Avalon covers dental and vision insurance - with no per-payroll premium contribution!!

Life and Disability Plans:

Employees working 16 or more hours per week receive life insurance and short-term disability coverage-Avalon covers the full cost of the premiums.

403(b) Retirement Plan:

Avalon sponsors a 403(b) retirement plan through Vanguard, available to all employees.

Primary Responsibilities:

Financial & Management Reporting

• Preparation of monthly internal management reports and external financial reports submitted to partner agencies
• Preparation and analysis for metrics supporting the monthly department dashboard
• Preparation and presentation of ad hoc financial reports for operating partners

Rental Assistance

• Collaborate across Avalon departments to determine proper tenant payments for rental assistance
• Prepare check requests and general ledger entries for client rental assistance
• Monthly review of grant spending, including client-level analysis with Outreach Department

Payroll

• Assist in review and preparation of bi-weekly payroll process requirements
• Ensure timely documentation of timesheet and work effort reporting
• Cash flow management for bi-weekly payroll and benefits payments
• Monitor and maintain employee cost allocations for payroll

Bookkeeping

• Preparation of non-recurring journal entries in a complex, multi-owner government-regulated accounting environment
• Conduct timely reconciliation of real estate development transactions
• Review and approval of journal entries prepared by Finance Department colleagues

Accounts Payable & Receivable and Cash Management

• General oversight of Accounts Payable and Receivable functions
• Preparation of weekly cash status report for management review and approval
• Assist with preparation and issuance of IRS Forms 1099 and 5500
• Prepare invoices and accrual entries for various grants and contract billings

Financial Controls & Risk Management

• Partner across the team to evaluate enterprise risks related to Avalon's business environment, and the development and oversight appropriate risk mitigating practices

Administrative/Other

• Participate in other duties as assigned

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the job.

Desired Qualifications & Experience:

Education and Certification

• Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting or finance or related discipline
• Active CPA license is preferred, but not required

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of four years of bookkeeping or general ledger accounting experience
• Broad knowledge of corporate accounting, including payroll and cash management
• Experience in both nonprofit and for-profit accounting environments
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe applications
• Prior experience with MIP Fund Accounting software preferred

Attributes

• Strong desire to integrate into and contribute to a collaborative, mission-aligned nonprofit team environment
• Self-starter who proactively identifies and assesses issues, develops effective solutions, and collaborates cross-functionally to implement them
• Adaptable and flexible in responding to a rapidly changing business environment, including factors beyond the local market
• Results-driven and self-motivated, demonstrating high data integrity and the ability to perform effectively with minimal supervision
• Articulate communicator with a strong customer service focus

Other Factors:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for long periods of time, occasionally drive a vehicle, communicate with other persons by talking and hearing, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 pounds, and to operate computer hardware systems.

A valid driver's license and reliable transportation is required.

Job Title: Senior Staff Accountant

Reports to: Director of Finance

Department: Finance

Location: Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Schedule: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

Onboarding period (90-day) requires being fully-onsite

After the initial onboarding period, there is potential for a limited hybrid working arrangement, based on demonstrated effectiveness.

Status: Full-time, Salaried Exempt

Starting Salary: $67,500.00

Benefits: Health insurance, dental & vision, 403(b), vacation and additional holidays,

Life / AD&D / Short and Long-term Disability plans, Employee Assistance & Wellness programs

Avalon Housing is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks applicants from diverse backgrounds. This includes but is not limited to people living with disabilities or mental health conditions, and with lived experience with homelessness or recovery from a substance use disorder. Avalon also encourages those with criminal histories to apply. Avalon doesn't request information about criminal histories unless and until an offer of employment is extended. Avalon may exclude someone based on criminal history if it determines the criminal history is related to or directly conflicts with the responsibilities of the position.