At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.  We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

We are deeply committed to creating an actively anti-racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists.Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of the Role

The Staff Accountant will be responsible for assisting the accounting team in daily functions as needed. This includes but is not limited to the daily recording of cash transactions, general ledger preparation, reconciling between our bank accounts, ERP NetSuite system, and other Foundation systems as required.

As the Staff Accountant, you’ll be reporting directly to the Accounting Manager.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Development team and senior accounting leadership to record incoming pledges and contributions, verifying that all gift data reconciles to Development’s records and reflects accurately within the general ledger

• Partner with the Accounting team to process earned income cash receipts while reconciling figures against various earned income systems to maintain reporting integrity

• Records other transactions as needed to maintain an accurate General Ledger

• Assists with the preparation of the annual financial statement audit and IRS Form 990 and related schedules

• Serves as the primary backup for key Accounting roles, maintaining operational continuity and contributing to the successful completion of collective departmental milestones

• Performs other responsibilities as assigned by Finance and Accounting leadership

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Cash receipts for both development and earned income revenue streams are recorded daily in the ERP NetSuite system

• Reconciliation of cash to bank accounts and general ledger is completed weekly; with month end close tasks prepared by the 8th business day after month end

• Transactions are recorded timely and in compliance with GAAP and Foundation policies

Required Qualifications

• 2-3 years of accounting experience; not-for-profit accounting experience a plus 

• Must have excellent math skills and attention to detail 

• Commitment to continuous learning in specialized accounting areas to effectively support the Foundation’s mission and enhance its operational impact

• Strong track record of using time and resources effectively to achieve goals and balancing independent problem-solving with the judgment to know when to escalate prepared issues to the team

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal) and ability to work collaboratively with all departments 

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities without compromising quality

• Comfortable utilizing emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other automation software, to enhance productivity and support continuous improvement initiatives

The salary range for this role is between $59,755  and $74,670. 

This position is primarily remote with occasional on-site days as needed.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to st