Staff Accountant

Classification: Support
Direct Reports: None
FLSA Exemption: Non-Exempt

Ministry / Department: Finance
Reports To: Finance & Reporting Manager
Manages: N/A
Description Last Reviewed: October 2025
Compensation: Full Time, $23-28/hour

I. Summary of Position
The Staff Accountant supports the financial control, administration, reporting, and analysis functions of The Chapel under the direction of the Finance & Reporting Manager. This position plays an important role in maintaining accurate financial records, assisting with reporting processes, and ensuring that The Chapel’s financial operations are handled with integrity and excellence.

II. Principal Accountabilities
1. Financial Control Support: Assist in the day-to-day financial control and administration activities of The Chapel, including accounts payable and receivable, journal entries, purchasing, employee reimbursements, payroll and benefit payments, and bank deposits. Support the maintenance of giving records, balance sheet reconciliations, and point-of-sale reconciliations. Ensure financial transactions are accurately recorded and properly supported.
2. Budget / General Ledger Support: Assist with the preparation and monitoring of departmental budgets throughout the fiscal year. Support the maintenance of the general ledger, including setting up account codes, departments, and making routine updates. Help maintain the inventory of fixed assets and ensure they are recorded in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
3. Month-End Close and Audit Preparation: Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. Prepare and organize schedules and documentation needed for the annual external audit and help maintain compliance with ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) standards.
4. Financial Reporting and Analysis: Generate and maintain regular financial reports such as revenue and expense summaries, balance sheets, and giving analyses. Assist in developing and refining reporting tools to help ministry leaders understand and manage their financial performance. Collaborate with the Finance Manager to ensure accurate and insightful financial reporting.
5. Stewardship and Donor Support: Support stewardship activities by maintaining donor records, processing contributions, and assisting with donor reporting. Help ensure that benevolence requests and payments are properly documented and processed in accordance with established policies.
6. Ministry Support and Mission Alignment: Work in a way that supports The Chapel’s mission—to ensure every man, woman, and child within our circle of accountability has repeated opportunities to hear and see the gospel of Jesus Christ. Support ministry areas with financial information and serve as a resource to help steward resources wisely.
7. Compliance and Internal Controls: Follow established internal control standards to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance with policies and procedures. Identify and communicate any discrepancies or issues to the Finance Manager in a timely manner.
8. Promote an environment that supports and reflects the mission of The Chapel in ensuring every man, woman and child within our circle of accountability have repeated opportunities to hear and see the gospel of Jesus Christ.
9. Promote an environment that supports and reflects the staff culture of The Chapel: seek God as priority; think others first; choose trust; stay healthy; grow together.
10. Maintain internal control standards for compliance, operational risk, regulatory standards, policies and practices; report issues and operational loss events to senior leadership and/or governance board, where appropriate. Abide by human resources and other Chapel policies in support of an ethical, respectful and God-honoring work environment.
11. Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

III. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
This position requires an individual with:
1. Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field or equivalent experience.
2. 1–3 years of accounting or finance experience preferred (nonprofit or church accounting experience a plus).
3. Understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
4. Strong technical, interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills. Ability to be flexible, manage multiple tasks at a time, and work effectively with employees at all levels and across all functions.
5. Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products and accounting software (eg Sage Intacct, QuickBooks or similar). Strong computer literacy, including use of Excel functions (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, etc.) and data reporting tools.
6. Proficiency in general ledger management, journal entries, and reconciliations.
7. Familiarity with accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll processing.
8. Ability to prepare and interpret financial statements and reports.
9. Proven faithfulness to Christ in use of time, talent and resources; meets all biblical requirements of a leader and influencer within the church body.

IV. Quantitative Dimensions
Budget Responsibility: Finance (Indirect)
# Direct Reports: N/A
# Indirect Reports: N/A
# Volunteers: N/A

Position Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical Activities	Frequency (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Ascending or descending stairs and the like.	O
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.	C
Moving about to accomplish tasks.	C
Communicating with others to exchange information.	C
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.	C
Travel to meet with various stakeholders	O
Assess risk, detect risk factors for site safety purposes through being aware of surrounding environment, individuals, noises, observations, etc.	C

Environmental Conditions	Frequency (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Low temperatures.	N
High temperatures.	N
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.	N
Noisy environments.	O
Hazardous conditions.	N
Poor ventilation.	N
Small and/or enclosed spaces.	N
No adverse environmental conditions expected.	C

Physical Demands	Frequency (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.	O
Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.	O
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.	O
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.	N

EEO Statement: The Chapel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, military status, marital status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Accessibility Accommodation Statement: The Chapel complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants. In an effort to be consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and NY State Legislation, it is the policy of the Chapel to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources department at 716.250.5078, or at bwildrick@thechapel.com.

The material provided here is for informational purposes only. The Chapel reserves the right to modify any or all of the information contained in this job description. Although information is updated on a regular basis, recent changes may not yet be reflected in this document.