Bookkeep/ Fiscal Specialist

Organization Summary

The Highlander Research and Education Center is a 90-year-old popular education center that works with grassroots groups in Appalachia and across the U.S. South to promote social and economic justice. Highlander’s long and proud history includes cutting-edge work with labor education and organizing, the Civil Rights Movement, environmental justice in Appalachia, and more recently, the changing demographics of our region. Widely acclaimed as a leadership development center for grassroots activists across race, culture, and generations, Highlander is world-renowned as a beacon for progressive organizing.

Overview of position:

This position will provide bookkeeping support to Highlander’s Staff. This full-time position is expected to be in person with remote options twice a week. The bookkeeper is a vital team member for accounting who provides the bookkeeping support that helps maintain well-functioning teams and organizational harmony.

Primary responsibilities:

• Fiscal accountant specialist working with HREC’s and fiscal organizations

• Key all financial transactions into the computer fiscal database

• Maintain payroll records

• Maintain accounts payable and receivable records

• Entry of deposits and withdrawals into financial software

• Generate and process the following reports:

  • Balance Sheet

  • Income and Expense Statement

  • Departmental Income and Expense Statements as requested

  • Receivables reports and other needed administrative reports

• Distribute reports to the appropriate staff

• Maintain compliance with and prepare all federal and state deposits and reports

• Prepare and distribute annual W-2 and 1099 forms

• Work closely with CFO in preparing annual audit, and 990, 941, and solicitation permits for several states.

• Follow established internal control procedures in all financial activities

• Work with staff to develop and fine-tune financial processes and procedures for control and information tracking

Records Management

• Maintain files on utilities for HREC buildings and grounds

• Maintain files on HREC equipment and purchases

• Maintain vendor information files

Accounting & Financial Software, Systems

• Research systems that benefit the organizational workflow

• Implement new systems and technologies as it relates to accounting systems

• Proficiency in or ability to learn QuickBooks online

Helpful skills and experience for this position:

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal

• Able to establish rapport with activists and community members in diverse ethnic, racial, social, and economic groups

• Computer savvy and willing to explore and utilize new technologies

• Solid administrative skills

• Time management ability and strong organizational skills

• Strong nonprofit bookkeeping experience

• Bi or Multi-Lingual is a plus

Expectations of all staff positions at Highlander:

• Passionate about Highlander’s purpose and able to communicate our program work

• Committed to racial, gender, economic, environmental, and social justice.

• Organized and able to balance multiple responsibilities with grace.

• Be an active participant in a democratically participatory organization.

• Keep Highlander’s purpose and the people with whom we work centrally.

• A sense of humor is welcome and most helpful.

• A high degree of honesty and integrity.

Salary and Benefits: