Staff Accountant

About The Praxis Project

The Praxis Project is a values-driven, national nonprofit organization that seeks to improve health justice through partnerships to build community power and increase authentic collaboration and engagement. Praxis believes strongly that organized communities are critical partners in the struggle to create healthy communities. Praxis works with over 200 diverse grassroots groups across the United States that influence local policy, mobilize communities, and strengthen programs and organizations to improve health, equity, and racial justice. For more information, please visit

www.thepraxisproject.org

Praxis operates as a fiscal sponsor for Comprehensive (Model A) and Pre-Approved Grant Relationship (Model C). We provide fiduciary oversight, financial management, and a range of administrative services to support and enhance the capacity of our Fiscal Sponsorship Programs (FSPs).

Position Summary

The Praxis Project is looking for a Staff Accountant to join our growing accounting team. This person will be a critical partner to our fiscally sponsored projects (FSPs). The position reports to the Senior Director of Finance and works closely with and takes direction from the Assistant Director of Finance. Successful candidates will possess excellent communication and relationship building skills, have a demonstrated ability to thrive in a growth and deadline driven environment. We help our projects achieve missions and impact the world. This role is a full-time (40 hours per week) exempt position and is not eligible for overtime. This person will work a general schedule of 8am-4 pm, Monday through Friday PT, 9am-5 pm CT or ET. This schedule may fluctuate, occasionally working more than 40 hours per week.

Praxis works overwhelmingly with communities of color and constituent-led organizations. Candidates whose lived experiences reflect those of the partners we work with are strongly encouraged to apply.

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting and Project Relations

• Manage a portfolio of fiscally sponsored projects (FSPs), assisting them with their financial needs, and
• communicating as needed. Staff Accountants will regularly meet with and lead calls with their FSPs to discuss financials and each other’s needs.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual closes. Duties will include balance sheet reconciliations, preparation of financial statements, posting reclassifications, and booking bank activity.
• Support the annual audit, 990 and budget preparation.
• Full responsibility for accounts payables function in Bill.com. Including weekly vendor setup, coding invoices, ensuring contract and all required support is collected. Annual 1099 reporting and follow up on invoices and uncashed checks as needed.
• Accounts receivable responsibilities include creating invoices, tracking payments, and collection efforts.
• Grant management including, monitoring balance and expense, payroll allocations, and draft reports.
• Contribute to the learning and development of team, cross-train and provide coverage as needed.
• Review, investigate, and correct errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents, and reports.
• Maintain finance files in accordance with department conventions.

Special Projects and Meetings

• Write process documentation and participate in continuous process and procedure improvement.
• Take on ad hoc accounting and finance projects to ensure smooth workflows and enhance accounting expertise, during key time periods, including but not limited to end of year closing, filing the organization’s 990, onboarding and offboarding fiscally sponsored projects, etc.
• Stay abreast of up-to-date accounting changes; And per the approval of Director of Finance, attend and/orparticipate in relevant training to maximize learning and development opportunities.
• Participate in regular finance team, supervisory, and all-staff meetings.
• In-state, and out-of-state trips will be required for participation in team or organizational retreats and convenings.

This is not a 100% comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be assigned.

Required skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting.
• 4+ years of accounting experience within nonprofit organizations.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for nonprofit organizations and general
• accounting procedures and policies.
• Excellent Excel skills.
• Comfortable communicating finance and accounting with others.
• Able to build productive relationships with projects and teams.
• Scrupulous attention to detail even during high pressure periods.
• Ability to work effectively within a team.
• Deep commitment to Praxis’ mission and social justice.
• Superior organization and time management skills with ability to manage and prioritize own workload.

Preferred skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Experience with Sage Intacct, Bill.com, and Nexonia.
• Experience in accounting for comprehensive fiscal sponsorship or multi-entity structures.
• Experience with implementing new accounting systems, policies, and procedures.

Mental and Physical Demands:

• Fast-paced and constantly changing work environment.
• High level of concentration and attention to detail required.
• Time speaking and listening: (range 50–70%).
• Extended time sitting or standing, while at a computer.
• Overnight travel of 2 or more days is required.
• Some exposure to hearing, seeing, or imagining traumatic events or social crises within the communities we serve.
• Extensive interaction and communication with colleagues and strangers, in person and virtual.
• Praxis currently works remotely both as an internal team and with our partners based across the United States.
• Leading and participating in remote video and telephone conferences is required.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and insurance are required for employees driving on Praxis business; driving record checks may be required as well.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Praxis Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, disability (mental and physical) including HIV, AIDS, and AIDS-related conditions, medical condition (including cancer and genetic charac teristics), genetic information, age, marital status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Praxis participates in I9 & E-Verify. You must be able to prove you are legally authorized to work in the United States. This role may require a background check.

The Praxis Project will endeavor to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on Praxis operations. Please submit reasonable accommodation requests to people@thepraxisproject.org.

Required Training

Praxis is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming work environment. All Praxis employees are required to complete training on preventing harassment and discrimination, managing bias, and creating an inclusive workplace on an at least annual basis. Ongoing finance and accounting-related training may be assigned for professional development purposes.