Senior Staff Accountant

Salary: $75,000

Job Summary
Pace Center for Girls seeks a detail-oriented, mission-driven, and experienced Senior Staff Accountant to manage and coordinate all financial activities across our centers. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, the Senior Staff Accountant will ensure fiscal and regulatory accountability, providing critical support to the organization's financial health and sustainability. The Senior Staff Accountant will play a vital role in maintaining the financial integrity of the organization, supporting its mission, and fostering organizational excellence.

Who We Are: At Pace we transform girls’ lives through academic and counseling programs based on girl-centered, strength-based and trauma informed framework. Team members create a safe place for girls to learn, process, heal and begin again. Founded in 1985, Pace Center for Girls is a nonprofit organization that believes all girls, regardless of their story, deserve a safe and supportive space where they can become strong, compassionate and successful women.

Our Culture:

At Pace, our culture is built on core beliefs that foster a supportive, mission-driven, and empowering environment where girls can thrive and reach their full potential.   Our culture is rooted in the following foundational behaviors:

• Caring – We are warm, sincere, compassionate, and collaborative, fostering an environment of support and connection.

• Purposeful – We are focused on our mission and committed to social responsibility, ensuring our efforts make a meaningful impact.
• Learning Oriented – We are open, inventive, and exploratory, continuously seeking growth and improvement.
• Results Driven – We are focused on achieving goals and measurable success, ensuring accountability and progress.
• Girl-Centered – The ways that girls learn and develop are unique. That's why we've created an environment that responds to their needs so they can feel safe enough to develop meaningful and trusting relationships while embracing their capabilities, strengths and autonomy.
• Using Your Strengths – Every girl brings something exceptional to the table. At Pace, we focus on developing these special characteristics. By supporting a girl's talents and positive attributes we help her achieve her goals.

• Understanding Trauma – Trauma can alter the course of a girl's life. At Pace, we recognize that trauma may be the root cause of unhealthy behaviors, which is why we work hard to help heal and empower girls.

What We Offer:

• Growth and Development - Competitive salaries, ongoing learning and development opportunities, and subject-specific instructional coaching to support growth and success.

• Work Life Balance – Team members benefit from 20 paid time off days, 14 paid national holidays, and an additional 5 days for wellness week. Center based team members observe a balanced schedule with 230 academic days and 20 dedicated in-service planning days. Teachers become eligible to receive an additional 2 weeks of paid time off after one year of employment.
• Comprehensive Benefits - Full-time team members are eligible for a range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, critical illness, accident coverage, legal and identity theft protection, and a 403(b)-retirement plan. Team members working 30 or more hours per week are eligible for medical, dental, FSA, HSA, and the 403(b)-retirement plan. Those working less than 30 hours per week are eligible for the 403(b)-retirement plan.

• Mental Health and Well-Being - All team members have access to wellness resources, offering wellness rewards, counseling sessions, leadership coaching, mindfulness resources, and more to support their overall well-being.

What This Role Does:

Financial Management – Ensure Fiscal Accountability

• Manage and coordinate all financial activities across Pace centers, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee accounting functions including property, plant and equipment, investments, insurance accounts, in-kind donations, special event transactions, and other specialized accounts.
• Perform monthly account reconciliations and allocations to ensure accuracy of financial statements and tax and regulatory returns.
• Prepare and submit required agency applications, reports, reviews, and documents.
• Support the budget and forecast process.

Grant and Contract Management – Drive Excellence and Compliance

• Coordinate all major federal and state grant accounting and reporting.
• Serve as liaison between grantors and the agency; process monthly and quarterly claims and invoices; monitor accounts receivable aging.
• Prepare grant and contract financial reports accurately and in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with contract managers and agency partners.
• Maintain an organized grant/contract filing system.

Financial Reporting and Analysis – Support Decision-Making

• Provide recommendations for accounting and reporting process improvements.
• Prepare and support in process documentation and controls.
• Conduct research and lead efforts for all audits.
• Act as the financial liaison for the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
• Coordinate reporting for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and other assigned grants and contracts.
• Prepare reports, reviews, and recommendations based on research and analysis.
• Identify and communicate financial and compliance issues for assigned areas to the Finance Leadership and executive management, summarizing and explaining results.

Team Collaboration and Training – Foster a High-Performing Finance Team

• Support the finance team by cross-training as necessary.
• Participate in the training of temporary staff or new hires as necessary.
• Provide training, research, and analysis to facilitate effective decision-making.
• Participate in conference calls and webinars, delivering continuous improvement training to agency staff regarding NSLP, IRS, and other assigned projects.

Audit and Tax Compliance – Uphold Standards and Regulations

• Assist in the preparation and performance of annual audit and tax return and other periodic regulatory requirements.
• Prepare requested schedules and documentation for auditors in a neat, concise, and timely manner.
• Manage sales and use tax returns along with all other applicable returns.
• Performs other duties as assigned 

What We Require for the Job:

A detail-oriented, analytical professional with a deep commitment to Pace’s mission and values. Someone who excels in financial management, compliance, and reporting, and can effectively support the organization's fiscal health and sustainability.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or business.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an accounting position.
• In-depth knowledge of accounting processing and reporting systems.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws impacting not-for-profit fiscal compliance and reporting.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills; strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of management, staff, and external vendors.
• Strong computer and internet research skills.

Other

• Expected to complete and participate in all required trainings and drills.
• Required to align with the Mission, Values, and Guiding Principles, maintain ethical standards, and comply with all policies and procedures of Pace Center for Girls.

This position requires a Level II pre-employment background screening pursuant to Chapters 435, 984, 985 and 943, Florida Statutes, and the Department of Juvenile Justice policy and procedures. Additional information is available through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website: HB531 | Florida Agency for Health Care Administration