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Accounts Payable Staff Accountant

Title:

Accounts Payable Staff Accountant

Status:

Full-time Exempt

Reports to:

Accounting Manager

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Hire Date:

LCLC will close the posting as soon as we find an exceptional candidate

Who We Are 

Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) specializes in providing a unique form of holistic community- based criminal defense representation grounded in restorative justice principles to minors and emerging adults (24 and under) from North Lawndale. This highly relational and innovative model is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers, and strategic community partners that provide developmentally appropriate supports for minors and emerging adults. The team identifies and meets the various needs of our youth at every phase of the criminal justice system: from diversion, arrest, through trial, and the completion of any period of probation, supervision, or parole, and beyond. By serving justice-involved minors and emerging adults holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system and establishing new best practices in community-based holistic interventions grounded in restorative justice that are more effective, cost less, and result in greater public safety for all. We believe our holistic, community-led (approximately 70% of our staff and Board of Directors are from North Lawndale) restorative justice model will transform the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

Our North Lawndale Community

North Lawndale is a vibrant and resilient community and we are proud to be a part of it. Our office is located just next door to the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Apartments and Exhibit Center, built on the site where Dr. King lived for six months during his Chicago Freedom Campaign in 1966. North Lawndale is tightly-knit, and we are gratified by our affiliation with the Lawndale Community Church, an organization that has done so much to bring necessary health and legal services to the community. Unfortunately, following decades of disinvestment, “white flight”, redlining, and other harbingers of systemic poverty and violence, North Lawndale still suffers from high levels of poverty, economic hardship, violence, and over- policing. 

In North Lawndale, approximately 850 officers are assigned to the two police districts that patrol 35,000 residents. In addition, a significant percentage of specialized units (which are historically aggressive and abusive) have been ordered to rove in our community. More than 1,500 youth are arrested in North Lawndale yearly, the second highest rate in Chicago. Indiscriminate stops and searches of North Lawndale residents are a daily occurrence; 66% of adults surveyed perceived no legitimate reason for their most recent police stop. A startling 59% of adults in North Lawndale have been arrested, 30% convicted, and 27% jailed. 

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds that our youths encounter within North Lawndale, namely the violence, poverty, and police brutality, they demonstrate hope, resolve, and a drive to make their neighborhood a better place. We are continually inspired by our clients’ resilience and positivity in the face of external challenges. It is both an honor and a privilege to help them walk them away from the criminal justice system and equip them to take control of their future.

Job Description

Reporting to the Accounting Manager, this position is responsible for performing accounts payable and transactional functions related to the financial and operational management of LCLC.

Responsibilities

  • Accounts Payable
    • Ensure all bills, employee expense reimbursements, and credit card transactions are entered and paid in a timely manner with adequate approval and backup documentation;
    • Check expenses for grant allowability, duplicate entries, reasonability, and missed entries;
    • Manage payee accounts, communications, and disputes;
    • Prepare weekly check run and record payments in NetSuite accounting system;
    • Prepare and monitor AP Aging and other reports, follow up as needed;
    • Reconcile cash accounts, payable accounts, and credit card statements
  • Support Accounts Receivable to ensure accurate grant expense classification and act as backup.
  • Record Keeping/Reporting
    • Accurately categorize and record all expenditures in NetSuite, by department and grant;
    • Create and run expense/cost reports across all general ledger segments;
    • Maintain accurate tracking of grant/department expenditures to budgets;
    • Assist in monthly close processes and year-end audit and tax preparation;
    • Generate year-end 1099s.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or equivalent practical experience.
  • Must be very detail-oriented and organized with a natural tendency to double check work.
  • Strong computer literacy and Microsoft Excel skills required; demonstrated ability to learn new software. Experience with NetSuite preferred.
  • Strong analytical, problem solving, and verbal skills required.
  • Must have demonstrated time management skills and ability to manage priorities and workflow.
  • Ability to work well on a team; must be accountable and willing to learn.
  • Flexibility within a rapidly growing organization and lean Finance team is essential.
  • Understanding of and commitment to LCLC’s mission is required.
  • Familiarity with and/or willingness to live in the North Lawndale community preferred.
  • Minorities and veterans encouraged to apply.

Application

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references to: Latrionna Moore, Director of Human Resources and Administration, at lmoore@lclc.net. Include position title in email subject. The position, which is available immediately, will remain open until filled.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve. 

North Lawndale residents and minorities encouraged to apply.