Staff Accountant AP/AR

About Our Organization

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.  We believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country.  For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org. 

About You:

You have the passion and desire to work in a dynamic non-profit organization, you have the talent and skills to perform the job, and now you’re looking for just the right opportunity.  At Youth Guidance you’ll have the chance to use your passion and skills working alongside a team of talented individuals who share the same values. 

Position Summary:  

The primary responsibility is to provide support in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit Card Management, and Gift Card Management. The Staff Accountant AP/AR will ensure appropriate systems and procedures are followed to ensure financial fidelity. This position is a hybrid role located in Chicago. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Process vendor payments and employee reimbursements on a timely basis using the company’s electronic payment AP tool, PaperSave.
• Management of the billing for the organization’s tuition-based program and its payment portal (ASAP), including providing customer service to both external customers and staff to ensure timely and accurate collection of payments
•  Responsible for the safeguarding, reconciliation, and replenishment of the organization’s prepaid assets, including gift cards and parking       passes
•  Facilitates the introductory Finance Training class monthly for YG employees
•  Acts as a liaison between our remote office team and onsite staff
•  Maintains a strong, positive customer relationship with YG employees and vendors
•  Responsible for the monthly reconciliation of the company’s credit card process, electronic payment process and assist with the preparation of the year end close
•  Assists in the Agency’s year-end audit and any ad-hoc audits as needed.
•  Performs additional duties and projects, as assigned by management

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Experience/Training

·       Associated Degree in Accounting/Business, or combination of training and experience

·       Minimum of 2-3 years of Accounts Payable/Receivable experience

·       Experience with PaperSave and Finance Edge preferred

Skills/Abilities

·       Strong critical thinking and analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy

·       Proven ability to communicate both in oral and written styles

·       Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines

·       Strong team player and ability to collaborate

·       Proficient use of Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel

·       Must be open to and desire new challenges and evolving priorities

 Available Benefit Offerings:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Pharmacy Plans
• FSA: Medical, Dependent and Transportation/Parking Plans
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, Personal and Sick Time
• Basic Life Insurance Coverage
• Basic AD&D Coverage
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Employee Discount Programs
• 401k Participation
• Voluntary Benefit Plans
• You may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Core Competencies

• Communication:Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening
• Client orientation:Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact
• Equity mindset:Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace
• Growth mindset:Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn
• Ownership and quality of work:Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work
• Supervisory skills:Effectively manages and develops others
• Mission drive:Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values

Leadership Core Competencies (Supervisor & above roles)

• Continuous improvement-minded: Takes initiative to identify and execute strategies and processes to continuously improve one’s leadership to strengthen organization’s overall impact.​
• Develops and motivates others: Motivates others and supports their development through strong coaching and mentoring. Effectively stewards self and others through both small and large scale change. ​
• External representation and relationship building: Represents the organization among external stakeholders, and builds strong, trusting relationships with stakeholders​
• Leads with vision: Has an inspiring vision for the future of the organization, beyond the status quo, and communicates it effectively; leads with courage and willingness to take risks in service of impact​
• Manages with data: Understands data; analyzes data and identifies insights and implications​
• Strategic thinking and resource management: Considers the future of the organization proactively and responsively; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategies; identifies innovative opportunities when relevant; makes and communicates decisions that effectively balance tradeoffs between financial sustainability and impact​
• Team building: Builds strong relationships with teams and colleagues; fosters effective teams and collaborative interactions​

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting, and working with the public.
• Occasional local and national travel

 DEIB Statement

At Youth Guidance, we understand that diversity, equity, inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B) are fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We celebrate the diversity of youth and staff and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences. At the same time, we acknowledge that many systems and institutions meant to support youth and staff are inequitable and unjust.

As such, we are committed to advancing DEIB through our words and our actions, both internally and externally, by:

• Strengthening cultural competence as well as policies, practices, and organizational structures that foster belonging and leverage the unique backgrounds and talents of staff;
• Offering youth-centered programs that are accessible and responsive to people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual identity, gender identity and expression, language, and cultural and religious beliefs and practices;
• Influencing systems that youth, their families, staff, and communities are impacted by, such as schools, organizational networks, governmental bodies, researchers, and the funding community, to apply approaches that embrace DEIB in addressing the needs and supporting the aspirations of young people and those around them.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity along all of these lines. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

EEO/M/F/D/V/SO