Accounting Assistant

The Somerville Housing Authority (SHA) is a large sized Public Housing Authority that seeks an Accounting Assistant to support the finance department in the areas of account reconciliation, financial reporting, cash management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll. The incumbent receives direct supervision from the Accounting Manager and Director of Finance. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains and processes monthly rent rolls, rent payments and posts adjustments to resident rent ledgers on SHA software.
• Maintains all dwelling and non-dwelling rent accounts receivable files and reports. 
• Prepares scheduled reports on all cash disbursements and cash collections. 
• Prepares monthly reconciliation reports for accounts receivable.
• Process and post vendor accounts payable and prepare associated checks or ACH payment files.
• Prepares bank deposits.
• Prepare and input journal entries as directed by supervisor(s). 

• Assist with cash reconciliations as directed.     

• Input and process weekly payroll.

• Performs other duties of the class, as assigned.

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are designed to serve as a guideline, and do not, in any way restrict the Housing Authority, through its Executive Director, from amending or augmenting these duties and responsibilities by inter-related oral or written instructions, directives or memoranda. 

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree, from an accredited college, in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field is preferred but can be substituted with experience.
2. Minimum of three (3) years of accounting or full-charge bookkeeper work, preferably in public or affordable housing.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of basic accounting principles and techniques and the ability to apply and adapt standard methods to varied account transactions and problems.
4. Knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 
5. Possesses strong computer skills (e.g. MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
6. Familiarity with accounting information systems and software; basic knowledge of any public or affordable housing software is desirable, but not required. 
7. Ability to apply principles of analytical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish essential facts, and draw conclusions. 
8. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions. 
9. Strong communication skills – ability to communicate clearly and directly both orally and in writing. 
10. Solid listening skills – ability to clearly interpret what is being said, and to respond appropriately in the best interests of the Authority.  
11. Strong attention to detail and organization skills.
12. Ability to use practical application of mathematics. 

Benefits

• Employer pays 75% of health insurance; plans administered through the GIC
• Employer pays 75% of dental insurance
• Participation in the State Retirement Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• 16 paid holidays
• 28 paid time off days per year 
• Eye glass/contact lens reimbursement
• Long term disability, life insurance, 457B deferred compensation plans, FSA plans and Aflac insurance policies available
• Career growth & opportunities for promotions

Salary: Commensurate with experience and negotiable to a range of $65,000 to $72,300.