Staff Grant Accountant - Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Title:

Staff Grant Accountant

Status:

Full-time Exempt

Reports to:

Accountant

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 Accountant, this position is responsible for performing accounts receivable functions related to the financial and operational management of grants at LCLC. This includes a variety of grant tracking and A/R functions including allocations of payroll and benefits, billing customers, coordinating with Development, liaison to Program Directors, ensuring accurate and timely financial recordkeeping and transactions, preparing financial statements.

Responsibilities

Accounts Receivable – accurately record and categorize all donations, major gifts, grants, and spend downs in accounting system (NetSuite); prepare and distribute vouchers/billing; manage customer accounts; generate year-end, grant end, and quarterly reports as needed.
Liaison – coordinate with Development, Program Directors, and HR for personnel allocations, grant report deadlines, and internal spend downs/authorizations.
Grant tracking and reporting – maintain accurate tracking of grant expenditures to budgets; generate monthly financial reports, contract vouchers, funder fiscal reports, and spreadsheets; assist in preparing files and other documents for audits.
Filing/Recordkeeping – maintain accurate and organized current and historical records/documents through accurate and highly organized filing system; comply with all federal, state, and local legal requirements by filing reports on a timely basis and advising management on needed actions.
Payroll – maintain timesheet records, allocate payroll and fringe to correct grants/general operations.
General Ledger – maintenance and assist in yearend audit.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or equivalent practical experience. CPA preferred.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in bookkeeping and vouchering for non-profit organizations preferred.
Proven expertise with NetSuite and strong mathematical skills preferred.
Must be very detail-oriented and organized with a natural tendency to double check work.
High degree of computer literacy (MS Office, Excel) and demonstrated ability to learn new programs.
Strong analytical, problem solving, and verbal skills.
Must have demonstrated time management skills and ability to manage priorities and workflow.
Good interpersonal skills and flexibility within a small office essential, along with confidentiality and thoroughness; must be able to work well on a team.
Good judgment, with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
Understanding of and commitment to LCLC’s mission is required.
Familiarity with the North Lawndale community and willingness to live in North Lawndale preferred.
Minorities and veterans encouraged to apply.

Application

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references to: Latrionna Moore, 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.