Senior Accountant

About Walker

Since 1961 Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs has been a trusted partner for children youth and families navigating some of lifes most difficult challenges. Based in Needham our mission is to nurture hope build strengths and develop lifelong skills in partnership with the children youth families and communities we serve. We provide comprehensive trauma-informed residential educational and clinical services to children and youth with complex social-emotional behavioral and learning needs while supporting their families every step of the way. Through three specialized divisionsResidential & Educational Programs Behavioral Health & Community-Based Services and Walker Solutionswe deliver relationship-based care and capacity-building that makes a lasting difference. Today we serve children youth and families from more than 150 communities across Massachusetts.

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant is a key member of the Finance Department responsible for delivering accurate timely and compliant financial information. As a growing nonprofit we are seeking an ambitious motivated and detail-oriented individual who thrives in a collaborative environment and is eager to contribute to organizational growth. This role combines core accounting responsibilities with advanced grant management financial analysis and process improvement initiatives. The Senior Accountant partners closely with program leaders development staff and external stakeholders to ensure strong financial stewardship grant compliance and operational excellence.

Essential Functions

General Accounting & Operations

• Lead day-to-day finance operations with functional oversight of accounting payment systems accounts payable billing banking and general ledger processes while ensuring compliance with GAAP regulatory requirements and nonprofit best practices.
• Ensure timely monthly closing processes including preparation and posting of journal entries (revenue deferred revenue depreciation accruals payroll reclasses employee benefit allocations).
• Prepare monthly invoices for all programs/customers and manage revenue recognition for fee-for-service state contracts tuition and grants.
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations and general ledger account reconciliations.
• Prepare accurate well-documented monthly financial statements for management leadership and program teams.
• Record biweekly payroll for approximately 300 employees and maintain related reconciliation schedules.

Grant Accounting & Compliance

• Serve as the lead accountant for all government and private grants including federal state municipal and foundation-funded initiatives.
• Track monitor and report on grant spending to ensure compliance with award requirements budgets and allowable cost principles.
• Prepare and submit monthly quarterly and annual grant invoices and reimbursement claims to federal and state agencies (e.g. DESE EEC DMH DCF etc.).
• Maintain detailed grant files including award letters budgets contract modifications and supporting documentation.
• Support program managers in understanding grant requirements spending patterns and variances; provide proactive financial analysis and recommendations.
• Assist with pre- and post-award grant activities including budget development financial forecasting and grant close-out.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Assist in developing the annual organizational budget and multi-year financial forecasts.
• Collaborate with Directors and Program Managers to support program-level budgeting reporting and performance metrics.
• Identify trends variances and opportunities for operational improvement; develop dashboards tools and metrics to enhance financial decision-making.

Systems Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Maintain and improve accounting systems and workflows; support implementation and enhancements of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Continia and Paycom.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures for finance functions grant accounting and reporting processes.
• Participate in cross-department initiatives to support agency growth streamline processes and improve data integrity.
• Mentor junior finance team members and contribute to a positive collaborative team environment.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Education

• Bachelors degree in accounting or applicable coursework preferred.
• Masters degree in accounting finance or related field preferred.
• CPA (or progress toward CPA) preferred but not required.

Experience

• 4 years of accounting experience required preferably in a nonprofit environment.
• Experience with grant accounting government grants and/or fee-for-service billing strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a growing or evolving organization is a plus.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data for non-financial users.
• High degree of accuracy attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills; proven ability to build collaborative relationships across departments.
• Demonstrated initiative problem-solving abilities and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities meet deadlines and adapt to changing needs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite especially Excel (pivot tables VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP formulas data analysis etc.).
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Continia Paycom and Tableau or other reporting/BI tools is a plus.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exhibit sound professional judgment.

Supervision Received

Reports to Controller

Equal Opportunity Statement

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individuals race color religion national origin sex age marital status sexual orientation genetic information disability veteran status pregnancy national guard or reserve unit obligations participation in discrimination complaint-related activities or membership in any category protected by federal or state law.