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Grants Accountant

December 7, 2023

Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they can’t afford a lawyer. It’s Prairie State Legal Services' mission to change that.

PSLS is currently seeking a Grants Accountant. The Grants Accountant will report to the Finance Director and will assist in the financial aspects of grant development and reporting, along with support for all accounting functions. The role requires a highly organized individual with strong attention to detail, sense of urgency, and ability to multi-task. The principal duties of this position are performed in a general office environment.

Responsibilities
Among other duties as assigned, the Grants Accountant will:

  • Be responsible for setting up and implementing processes to manage, track, and report the staff time and cost allocation to Prairie State grants and offices
  • Identify the specific requirements of grants which require data collection, tracking, and reporting
  • Work with the Finance Director, Fiscal Manager, Lead Grants Accountant, and other Grants Accountants to understand and document the unique features of grants which require special reporting
  • Interact with attorneys in the field offices to understand how they are setting up their time recording/reporting for grant and office purposes
  • Work with the grants department to determine the budget and reporting requirements of any new and existing grants
  • Analyze grants to ascertain if the budgets are accurate for the work we are expected to perform
  • Prepare projections at key time periods in specific grants to ensure fulfilling the grant criteria/obligations
  • Train new staff on grant reporting protocols as related to financial aspects of the grants
  • Work with the Finance Director, Fiscal Manager, Lead Grants Accountant, and other Grants Accountants to develop a streamlined process for transferring financial grant data to accounting software
  • Participate in the annual audit as needed
  • Provide backup on other accounting functions, such as payroll, procurement, accounts payable and receivable, and benefits administration

Salary and Benefits
The Grants Accountant position is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary that is competitive with similar organizations. The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $84,067 annually. The starting salary for the successful candidate will be determined based on prior relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes:

  • Health insurance, including the opportunity to qualify for a wellness credit
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • 403b retirement plan, including employer contributions
  • Training and education programs
  • PTO that starts at 3 weeks/year and increases with additional years worked at PSLS
  • Paid sick leave
  • 6 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
  • 12 paid holidays

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with 3 years of relevant experience required
  • Familiarity with database software and proven track record of creating and modifying software to produce results
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of organization, time management, and to meet deadlines consistently
  • Experience in working with state and federal grants and the financial controls related to such grants preferred
  • We will give preference to candidates who have experience providing services to low-income individuals
  • Strong computer competency is essential, including the ability to use Access and the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel
  • Excellent analytical skills and sound understanding of accounting principles
  • Strong oral/written communication
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as a team member
  • Some travel is necessary; valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation is required

Application Details – Resumes Accepted until position is filled
Please indicate “Grants Accountant” in the subject line and email a letter explaining your interest and experience, resume, and three references to careers@pslegal.org.

Prairie State Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, expression or presentation, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.

The Organization
PSLS is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization that has served northern and central Illinois for 45 years, maintains 11 office locations, and has a staff of over 200 employees, including training and litigation staff with extensive experience. Our 36-county service area includes rural communities, suburban areas, and mid-size urban cities, which necessitates the development of diverse strategies, and we encourage our staff to cultivate and utilize creative approaches to reach and serve our client population. Employees of PSLS benefit from the expertise and community connections of their local office staff, along with robust program-wide resources. We strive to provide an array of services responsive to the needs of our clients. PSLS has excellent fiscal controls and upholds the highest rating from Charity Navigator and Guidestar. For more information regarding PSLS services and operations, please visit our website at https://pslegal.org.