AFSCME Pennsylvania Council 13

Assistant Controller

Based in Harrisburg, PA

 

Job Title: Assistant Controller
Salary: $80,168.52 – $130,101.72

How to Apply: 
Submit cover letter and résumé via email to: recruiting@afscme13.org

About AFSCME Council 13
Pennsylvania Public Employees Council 13, AFSCME, AFL-CIO (AFSCME Council 13) is the largest public employee union in Pennsylvania. Established in 1973, Council 13 works to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for public and private non-profit employees who protect and serve the citizens of the Commonwealth. We represent more than 35,000 members employed at the state, county, township, borough, and city level, as well as in health care and social service facilities. Along with our affiliated local unions, we provide resources in representation, collective bargaining, organizing, political and legislative advocacy, and education to ensure members’ respect and dignity in the workplace.

Overview
The Senior Accountant performs advanced professional accounting work supporting the financial operations of Council 13 and its related programs. The position is responsible for complex general ledger activities, supporting strong internal controls, account reconciliations, financial reporting, audit support, budget analysis, and regulatory filings. Working under the general direction of the Controller, the Senior Accountant exercises sound independent judgment, identifies and resolves discrepancies, and helps ensure that financial records are accurate, timely, and compliant with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable union financial standards.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and post complex journal entries, accruals, allocations, and adjusting entries for monthly, quarterly, and year-end close.
• Reconcile general ledger and subsidiary accounts, including cash, investments, receivables, payables, payroll-related accounts, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, and other balance sheet accounts; research and resolve variances promptly.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial statements, schedules, workpapers, and analyses for management, departments, affiliates, auditors, and other stakeholders.
• Support annual external audits and other financial reviews by preparing lead schedules, account analyses, confirmations, and supporting documentation; respond to auditor questions and track open items through completion.
• Assist with preparation of the annual operating budget, periodic forecasts, and budget-to-actual reports; analyze significant variances and communicate findings and recommendations.
• Support preparation of reports and filings for federal, state, and local agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and other regulatory authorities, as assigned.
• Assist with the oversight of accurate accounting for union dues, per capita payments, and rebates.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, risks, control issues, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Help document and improve accounting procedures, internal controls, and workflows; support implementation, testing, and training for new accounting or reporting systems.
• Provide technical guidance to business office staff and serve as a resource on accounting policies and procedures.
• Review work of business office staff for accuracy and clear, constructive feedback. 
• Coordinate with staff, department directors, affiliate representatives, vendors, contractors, and other partners to resolve accounting issues and meet established deadlines.
• Protect confidential financial, payroll, member, and organizational information.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field, and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience. Experience in a labor union, nonprofit organization, membership organization, employee benefit plan, or similarly regulated environment is strongly preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. CPA or CMA certification is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and financial reporting practices.
• Experience with general ledger accounting, month-end and year-end close, account reconciliation, audit support, budgeting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll accounting, and fixed assets.
• Working knowledge of financial compliance requirements applicable to nonprofit and labor organizations, including U.S. Department of Labor and IRS reporting; familiarity with FEC or state campaign-finance reporting is a plus when relevant to assigned duties.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information, identify discrepancies, document conclusions, and recommend practical solutions.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and demonstrated skill using automated accounting, reporting, and data-analysis systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet firm deadlines in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-accounting audiences.
• High degree of accuracy, discretion, integrity, and attention to detail and sound judgment on internal controls.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all organizational levels and with external auditors, vendors, affiliates, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the labor movement and respect for union members, leaders, and staff.
• Understanding of the need for accuracy and transparency in reporting to members and regulators.

Physical Requirements
Work is generally performed in an office environment and requires regular use of a computer and other standard office equipment. The position may require occasional travel and extended work hours, including evenings or weekends, during peak reporting, audit, budget, or close periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This description provides a general summary of the work required and is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.