Accounting Specialist

Position Summary
The Accounting Specialist is responsible for creating and maintaining the financial records of the synagogue, ensuring accuracy and compliance with synagogue-directed accounting standards, and executing day-to-day financial transactions under the Executive Director's guidance and oversight. This position also interfaces with congregants, guests, and vendors at Congregation Kol Ami. This role requires technical accounting and bookkeeping skills, a warm, professional presence, strong organizational skills, and a genuine commitment to customer service that helps to maintain accurate accounting records and to assist in keeping the synagogue office running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Bookkeeping

Assist the Executive Director and the Treasurer with the preparation of monthly financial reports, including preparation of initial drafts of such reports.
Reconcile bank statements and other financial accounts.
Record and process financial transactions for the synagogue, designated affiliates, and Gan Shalom cemetery.
Manage accounts receivables on a day-to-day basis, including handling dues, fees, assessments, contributions, and other payments, billing for same, and collection processing.
Make regular bank deposits of dues, fees, assessments, contributions and other payments.
Manage organizational credit card accounts.
Reconcile bank and credit card statements.
Assist with month-end and year-end closing procedures.
Maintain and administer the Online QuickBooks accounting system, including the chart of accounts, transaction categorization, and transaction entries.
Support the Executive Director and Treasurer in annual budget preparation and ongoing budget monitoring.
Maintain an organized financial filing system (invoices, paperwork, reimbursements, and other financial records).
Serve as point person gathering records and documentation to support outside accounting firms during any financial reviews, under the oversight of the Executive Director and the Treasurer.
Assist in providing administrative support and addressing sales documentation for the Gan Shalom cemetery.
Perform routine data entry, cleanup, and accuracy checks related to financial congregant records in the ShulCloud member/congregant management system.

Dedications (Thank-You Donation Letters)

Prepare and send out Dedication Notifications, targeted to ensure they are addressed to the correct person and are free of errors.
Take Dedications submitted over email and phone.
Generate the Dedications report for monthly electronic reporting to congregants.

Other Responsibilities

• Consistent with having a primary focus on financial duties, assist staff with overflow administrative and financial tasks as may be needed from time to time.

Key Relationships

Reports to and receives day-to-day direction from the Executive Director.
Reports to and receives periodic direction from the Treasurer.
Maintains regular contact with congregants, donors, patrons, vendors, and others regarding financial inquiries.
Coordinates with the Office and Facilities Manager on shared administrative, event-billing, vendor interface, and documentation needs.
Supports Rabbi, Education Director, and Youth Director as needed.

Core Competencies

Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including email correspondence.
Discretion and maintaining confidentiality in handling sensitive financial information, including financial information regarding congregants, donors, patrons and vendors.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage competing priorities.
Welcoming, timely, and attentive approach to follow-through with congregants and stakeholders.
Present a positive image through professional appearance and welcoming demeanor, serving as an important, often first, point of contact for congregants and guests.

Qualifications

Required experience: Minimum 3–5 years of bookkeeping or accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit organization.
Preferred experience: Previous experience with religious or non-profit organizations.
Software / technical skills: Advanced proficiency in Online QuickBooks required, including chart-of-accounts setup and maintenance; proficient in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with ShulCloud software a plus.
Accounting knowledge: Strong working knowledge of cash basis accounting systems.
Education: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; equivalent experience may be substituted.