Cash Accountant

The Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) serves the housing and community development needs of the twenty-six towns of Franklin County, Massachusetts. We work with residents to successfully access a wide variety of housing resources. We also work with the municipalities of Franklin County to apply for and administer grant funding for various infrastructure and community development projects.

Position Overview: The Cash Accountant manages the cash accounting activities of the HRA and its affiliated entities. They are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all transactions related to the organization’s cash transactions and reporting. This includes processing tenant receivables, recording and reconciling all other cash receipts, preparing bank deposits and reconciliations, and ensuring that all cash transactions are properly documented. They prepare, compile, and maintain financial data and records related to the cash activities of the organization, ensuring that all financial data is recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and consistent with the requirements of funding sources and established policies and procedures, for a moderately large and complex agency. ​

This position requires strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. As a key member of the finance team, this position will play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and timely processing of the agency’s cash transactions.

Job Class: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), non-exempt

Supervision Received: The Cash Accountant works under the supervision of the Finance Director.

Supervision Given: None

Salary: $26.50 – $33.00 per hour

Principal Duties:

Tenant Account Receivables

1. Post tenant payments, A/R adjustments and billings to housing accounting software in the PHA-Web database.
2. Apply credits for PH accounting monthly on the last day of the month before advancing the financial period and running monthly rent.
3. Analyze and work with the Property Management department or Leased Housing Department to correct or make changes to tenant accounts receivable or security deposits cash entries, communicate issues on tenant balances for rent adjustment entries.

Cash Posting & Reconciliation

1. Prepare and post general ledger journal entries to record cash receipts.
2. Prepare bank deposits, record bank deposits in accounting software, and reconcile bank deposits to posted cash receipts.
3. Reconcile various cash accounts within the general ledger to ensure their accuracy.
4. ​Perform monthly bank reconciliations in a timely fashion to ensure transactions are properly recorded and discrepancies are resolved.

Cross-functional

1. ​Assist with the month-end close process, including preparing/posting manual journal entries, in a timely and accurate manner.
2. Assist with the recording, reporting and reconciliation of grants receivables.
3. Prepare monthly and quarterly reports for internal and external stakeholders, e.g. A/P Warrant report.
4. Assist Bookkeeper with the daily, weekly, and monthly accounting tasks. Serve as a backup for the Bookkeeper.
5. Support month-end and year-end financial closings.
6. Perform other related duties as assigned, including but not limited to:
   a.  Maintain and monitor the agency insurance coverages, including but not limited to coordinating new coverages, renewals, and approving invoicing, ensuring invoices match the contracts.
   b.  Assist in the preparation of budgets as needed.
   c.  Assist with annual audit preparations.
   d.  Assist with ad-hoc accounting projects and resolve issues arising from daily accounting operations for assigned areas.
   e.  Other duties may be assigned from time to time depending on the needs of the agency and/or department.

Compliance

1. Ensure compliance with accounting and financial reporting requirements for programs and grants of HRA and its affiliates as assigned.
2. Take ownership and initiative for process improvements and process documentation for assigned areas.
3. Ensure compliance with HRA’s Internal Control Policies.

General Responsibilities:

1. HRA is a public agency operating for the benefit of all citizens. Personnel shall conduct themselves in a manner respectful of all clients and shall adhere to HRA’s mission and goals. Personnel shall act in such a way as to create a positive image of the Agency.
2. Personnel will act in a professional manner while relating to HRA staff, clients and business contacts seeking to resolve differences or complaints through appropriate agency procedures.
3. All personnel are responsible for adherence to HRA personnel policies, including the prevention of conflict of interest, misuse of funds, or abuse of trust and are responsible for reporting known misconduct to an Executive officer.
4. All personnel shall respect the legal and moral rights and privacy of confidential information due to all clients and are responsible for upholding HRA’s affirmative action policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. An associate’s degree in business administration, accounting, or a financial field and prior accounting experience is required.
2. Experience in a similar position in a public agency or non-profit organization of a size and complexity comparable to HRA preferred.
3. Successful experience with electronic accounting systems and Microsoft Excel is required.
4. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
5. Attention to detail and accuracy.
6. A valid driver’s license and/or access to reliable transportation.

General Qualifications:

1. Knowledge of state and federal funding sources is helpful.
2. Excellent organizational skills.
3. Excellent reconciliation skills.
4. Ability to examine and verify financial documents and reports.
5. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
6. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Practices.
7. Ability to analyze data and make conclusions quickly and accurately.
8. Ability to work independently and cooperatively and collaboratively.
9. Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions, including accounting manuals supplied by HRA, and memoranda from government funding sources, the Internal Revenue Service, and the MA Department of Revenue.

To Apply: Please email a copy of your resume and cover letter to fcrhra.hr@gmail.com