Accountant I Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable

The Christian Science Board Of Directors Of The Mother Church, The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Boston, Massachusetts - Boston, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Boston, MA

About the position

The Accountant I position within the Treasurer's Office is a full-time role focused on managing both Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) functions. This position is critical in ensuring accurate financial transactions and reporting for The Mother Church, the Christian Science Publishing Society (CSPS), and the Mary Baker Eddy Library. The individual in this role will be responsible for a variety of tasks that include customer invoice creation, receivables processing, daily cash and check processing, and deposits. Additionally, the role involves uploading electronic contributor payments, preparing weekly Finance Committee reports, and assisting the AP Accountant in processing and recording invoices and expense reports. The incumbent will need to have a solid understanding of AR and AP internal processes and policies, allowing them to proactively identify and suggest process improvements. They will be expected to anticipate potential issues and recommend effective solutions to client departments related to AR and AP. The position requires a high level of attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate financial operations. In the AR function, the individual will provide general accounting support, including coding and depositing checks, conducting daily exception research, applying revenue recognition principles, and maintaining accurate records of customer accounts. They will also monitor accounts receivable aging reports to identify potential uncollectible amounts and work with internal personnel to collect past due receivables. In the AP function, the individual will process and reconcile electronic payments, review vendor invoices, and assist with annual audits. The role also includes serving as a backup for various AP functions and participating in special projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Provide general accounting support to The Mother Church, CSPS, and the Mary Baker Eddy Library.
• Code and deposit checks via remote deposit or USPS mail.
• Conduct daily exception research for journal entries related to domestic bank accounts.
• Create external customer invoices based on input from client departments and apply payments to AR customer accounts.
• Communicate with client departments regarding customer payments and outstanding balances.
• Monitor accounts receivable aging reports to identify potential uncollectible amounts.
• Prepare justifications for write-offs and recommendations for management approval.
• Maintain an employee accounts receivable subsidiary ledger and respond to inquiries.
• Count, deposit, and report on cash deposits, including weekly collections and receipts.
• Provide weekly reporting on Paypal contributions made online.
• Ensure timely reporting of unclaimed assets to appropriate states.
• Process, upload, and reconcile electronic Contributor Payments for all departments.
• Review and reconcile vendor AP invoices to Intacct bills and prepare weekly Finance Committee reports.
• Participate in annual and bi-annual audits of AP disbursements.
• Assist with research and verification of ACH exception items at Bank of America.
• Update AP ledger by converting payment requests to AP bills and entering vendor invoices into the system.
• Export reviewed Tallie expense reports into Intacct for compliance verification.
• Research and respond to vendor inquiries regarding payments and account reconciliation.
• Act as backup to Tallie Administrator for new user setups and configuration items.
• Participate or lead special projects and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills are essential.
• Excellent communication skills to resolve issues with client department contacts and customers.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments effectively.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are necessary.
• Ability to work as a team member and collaborate with others.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Gmail, Sheets, Docs).
• Ability to quickly learn new software protocols.

Nice-to-haves

• Membership in The Mother Church is preferred.