Senior Accountant
Company: SPANISH SPEAKING UNITY COUNCIL
Location: Oakland
Posted on: January 18, 2026
|
|
|
Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Title: Senior Accountant Reports
To: Chief Financial Officer Department: Finance and Accounting
Location: Oakland, CA Schedule: Monday through Friday Travel: Local
travel may be required Salary: $98,000-$105,00 DOE Employee Status:
Regular, Full-Time, Exempt Union: N/A Supervises: N/A Benefits: Two
weeks of paid vacation a year, sick time, 14 holidays, up to five
floating holidays based on employee status, medical and dental
benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment,
life insurance policy at no cost to employee (with the option of
increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical
and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer
match, and other benefits. We foster a joyful workplace and offer
opportunities for professional development and growth. Agency
Summary The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development
Corporation with a 61-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of
Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve
quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can
work, learn, and thrive. Our programs aim to provide the community
with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives
and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and
financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more
than 10,000 individuals and families annually in five languages.
Programs include: early childhood education, youth mentorship and
leadership development, employment services, career readiness
training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services,
affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and
cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and
now reaches across Oakland and into Concord. The Unity Council
employs a workforce of more than 350 people who reflect the
linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we
serve. Position Summary The Senior Accountant performs the full
range of accounting functions for assigned areas of responsibility
which could include General Accounting and Banking, Grants
Accounting, Real Estate and Property Management Accounting, or
Budgeting and requires knowledge of accounting principles and
practices as well as specific principles and practices related to
the assigned functional area of responsibility. The Senior
Accountant class is distinguished from positions in lower
Accountant classifications in that the Senior Accountant assumes
responsibility for a wider scope of operation and is involved in
many phases of complex accounting and financial management, which
may involve supervising professional and clerical staff. The Senior
Accountant may also serve as a subject matter expert in a
particular area and is held accountable for complete proficiency.
Responsibilities Plans, organizes and directs the work of
subordinate employees engaged in the preparation and maintenance of
varied accounting and financial functional areas and programs,
which may include accounting ledgers, banking and cash management,
investments and debt management, grants and donations, real estate
financing, fixed assets, budgets, payroll ledgers, and associated
financial and accounting systems to ensure integrity and accuracy
of systems, accounts, and reporting. Performs the more complex
accounting work involved in maintaining accounting controls,
procedures and processes, and preparing detailed financial reports
in conformance with funding and compliance requirements. Maintains
and reconciles a variety of ledgers, registers, journals, systems,
and other records necessary for the accounting activities of the
assigned function, programs and areas of responsibility. Maintains
current knowledge of accounting, auditing and reporting
regulations, policies and procedures related to assigned areas of
responsibilities; recommends changes to accounting structures,
policies, procedures, and systems to ensure compliance with funders
and regulatory requirements. Coordinates activities such as
development processes and procedures for accounting period and
fiscal year-end closing, and preparation of financial statements.
Develops and implements policies and procedures and prepares
documentation for accounting and financial systems to maintain
accuracy and conformance to legal and procedural requirements.
Coordinates activities with representatives of external auditors,
funders, compliance/regulatory agencies, vendors and contractors,
and others. Serves as consultant with departments by responding to
inquiries concerning accounting methods and procedures; confers
with department personnel on accounting, and financial reporting,
and budgeting questions and problems. Explains the implications of
complex accounting matters to non-financial managers and decision
makers. Recommends the selection of subordinate professional and
clerical staff and evaluates their performance, and plans, assigns,
reviews, and approves their work. Provides orientation and training
on accounting processes and procedures, user training for financial
systems, and financial reporting and compliance requirements for
subordinate employees and staff of other departments/programs to
assure knowledge transfer and conformance to organization, funder,
and regulatory requirements. Prepares reports with recommendations
and makes presentations for assigned areas. Maintains accurate
records and files related to areas of assignment. Performs related
work as required. Qualifications The knowledge, skills and
abilities required to perform this function are acquired through
possession of a bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance,
Economics, Auditing or a closely related field; and four (4) years
of professional experience in accounting or auditing work.
Possession of a master's degree in accounting, master's degree in
business administration with emphasis in accounting, or Certified
Public Accountant (CPA) license, may substitute for one (1) year of
experience; or; Possession of sixty (60) semester units or ninety
(90) quarter units of college of which twelve (12) semester units
or fifteen (15) quarter units must be in accounting and/or
auditing; and six (6) years of professional experience in
accounting or auditing work, at least four (4) years of which
should be at a journey level accountant. Possession of a valid
California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to
obtain and maintain a County driver authorization. Some positions
may require Live Scan screening as part of the background check
process. Theory, principles and practices of accounting and
auditing along with their application to governmental accounting
and budgeting. Laws and regulations governing the financial
operations of the County, special districts and the assigned
department. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and
specifically Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
Statements, Interpretations, and Technical Bulletins. County
financial policies and procedures and applicable departmental
policies and procedures. Concepts, systems and terminology of
accounting and budget systems. Office management practices and
procedures, including recordkeeping systems. Principles and
practices of supervision and personnel management. Accounting
systems, software applications and spreadsheets. Ability to
Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with subordinates,
co-workers, management, the public and others contacted in the
course of work. Plan, direct and evaluate the activities of the
accounting function. Identify, analyze and evaluate complex
problems and propose solutions. Prepare clear and concise reports.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those
contacted in the course of work. Plan and direct the work of
others. Exercise independent judgment. Understand and apply
relevant principles, laws, rules, regulations and procedures.
Audit, analyze and evaluate complex financial and statistical data.
Prepare, maintain and reconcile a variety of complex accounting and
financial records, documents and reports. Use various computer
applications and software in support of accounting activities.
Essential Functions Physical position requirements; machines and/or
equipment used: Regularly required to operate standard office
equipment (personal computer, photocopier, calculator, fax machine,
etc.); Ability to work on a computer for up to 8 hours per day;
Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, with periodic
breaks; Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and
other office equipment; Occasionally you may be required to stoop,
kneel, climb stairs, and carry or lift files and/or one or two
reams of copy paper. Pre-Employment Requirements Background Check
Reference Check This description is not intended to be construed as
an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for
the position. This position may change or assume additional duties
at any time. Please submit your cover letter and resume. The Unity
Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Keywords: SPANISH SPEAKING UNITY COUNCIL, Palo Alto , Senior Accountant, Accounting, Auditing , Oakland, California
