Financial Auditor

ABOUT LSC:

Established by Congress in 1974, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the country’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. LSC currently funds 132 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations with more than 800 offices throughout the nation. LSC’s mission is to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. This position will require working from an office in D.C. in accordance with LSC’s hybrid work model. The successful candidate must live in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

BASIC FUNCTION:
A Fiscal Compliance Analyst works in the Office of Compliance & Enforcement (OCE) and plans and conducts various types of investigations and reviews, including fiscal and internal controls. The incumbent serves as the team leader or team member depending on project and staffing needs. The incumbent reports to, and is under the supervision of, the OCE Director and/or their designee. Extensive travel is required. This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, Local 135.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a team leader or team member in developing and executing work plans to conduct fiscal and internal controls reviews and assessments of LSC grantees. Fiscal and internal reviews include performing on-site compliance and technical assistance reviews to ensure LSC grantee compliance with the LSC Act, laws and regulations, appropriations riders, special grant terms, the Accounting Guide for LSC Recipients and OMB Circulars. Grantee program reviews and assessments seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness of LSC grantee operations, and to flag and address, as appropriate, practices that suggest possible fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of LSC funds.
• Evaluates fiscal program performance through the review of findings included in recipient audited financial statements and makes recommendations for follow-up corrective action to be taken.
• Identifies significant findings, makes authoritative recommendations and resolves a wide range of fiscal oversight issues; devises techniques to analyze and evaluate evidence and results; and develops analytical opinions, findings, and recommendations.
• Provides technical guidance to LSC grantees on program fiscal matters and internal controls and promotes fiscal management best practices. Participates in web-based and in-person Executive Director Orientation Trainings.
• Participates in on-site capability assessment reviews; extensive travel is required.
• Cultivates and maintains productive working relationships with all levels of program staff while conducting program reviews.
• Assesses and evaluates program accounting policies and procedures, fiscal policies, and employee handbooks and accounting guides for adequacy.
• Prepares preliminary findings and delivers to program staff while on-site or by telephone during exit conference.
• Prepares written reports and related correspondence to memorialize findings of reviews and assessments.
• Participates in on-site investigations of complaints and inquiries received from the public, LSC’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) and other sources regarding recipients of LSC funding.
• Reviews and follows-up on findings referred by the OIG regarding program compliance with the LSC Act, Appropriations Act and regulations, including interpretation of regulations consistent with LSC’s Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) opinions. Oversees the development of, and compliance with, corrective action plans by grantees, as appropriate.
• Evaluates program performance by reviewing proposals for funding and related documents and makes recommendations regarding funding terms and special grant conditions.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to LSC specifically, and on nonprofit corporations, generally; as appropriate, recommends revisions to the Accounting Guide for LSC Recipients.
• Conducts research and helps OLA staff develop policy relating to the fiscal responsibilities imposed on LSC grantees by LSC regulations and industry best practices adopted by LSC.
• Works with OLA regarding review and revision of current regulations and development of new regulations, as appropriate.
• Works directly with the Director and/or his or her designee on various special projects, and performs other related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

General:

• Able to conduct solid analysis and make well-informed, objective, and evidence-based decisions.
• Able to lead teams and work with diverse populations.
• Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce professional, well-written work product that requires minimal editing.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to effectively reach different audiences and manage conflicts.
• Unimpeachable integrity and adherence to the highest standards of ethics.
• High degree of flexibility, capacity for self-management, and attention to detail.
• Understanding of and commitment to organizational mission and goals.
• Thoughtful and thorough problem solver.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities; self-motivated with ability to influence, motivate, challenge, and inspire confidence among others.

Technical/Specialized:

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field, and at least five (5) years of progressive fiscal experience for a Fiscal Compliance Analyst II position, or at least eight (8) years of progressive fiscal experience for a Fiscal Compliance Analyst III position.
• Experience reviewing and analyzing audited financial statements and auditor’s reports and reviewing and evaluating accounting policies and procedures and internal controls.
• Strong working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and of the principles, practices, and concepts involved with planning, conducting, and reporting on fiscal reviews and assessments.
• Capacity to interpret and understand regulations, including the LSC Act, that impact the fiscal responsibilities of an LSC grantee and the ability to articulate and share with grantees the changes in practice necessary to comply with regulations.
• Knowledge of federal policies and practices governing expenditures and the disposition of property and fund balances.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Fiscal Compliance Analyst II: $94,171 - $97,976

Fiscal Compliance Analyst III: $108,297 - $112,672

The salary listed above are the starting salaries based on LSC's competitive market-based salary structure that establishes a specific salary range for this position which has 10 steps. A new hire is typically hired at Step 1 and receives a step increase annually. In special circumstances, LSC may authorize a new hire to start at a higher step based on a special business need or the significantly higher qualifications of the new employee. Employees hired after October 1st of any calendar year will receive their first step increase the January following their first full year of employment.

This position is eligible to participate in LSC’s excellent employee benefits program, including medical, dental and vision plans, 403(b) thrift plan, paid leave, and other employee benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

You must apply on our website. To have your application considered, you must answer all questions and provide all requested information. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Your application must include your résumé and a cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for this position. Apply at: www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/careers

Note: If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please notify OHR at jobapplicant@lsc.gov.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT:

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our differences fuel excellence, and we strive to create an environment where every individual is valued and feels empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work. We are building a community rooted in openness and trust where colleagues have the resources to grow, thrive and fully contribute to achieving equal access to justice.

LSC is an equal opportunity employer.