Montana Legal Services Association is a nonprofit legal services organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents across Montana. Since 1966, it has helped people address legal challenges connected to poverty through direct representation, pro bono programs, eviction intervention, and other community-focused services. The organization also advocates for systemic change aimed at strengthening access to justice and protecting the civil legal rights of Montanans.
Accountant - Montana Legal Services Association (Hybrid)
Support accounting operations for a nonprofit legal aid organization through general ledger work, grant compliance, payroll allocations, and audit preparation. Help advance access to justice through accurate and well-documented financial management.
Description
- Contribute to month-end close activities by preparing accruals, journal adjustments, and financial statements
- Perform monthly reconciliations of bank and balance sheet accounts, investigating and correcting variances
- Track grant spending against approved budgets, applicable cost principles, and funding limitations
- Help process payroll and allocate costs across relevant funding sources
- Train across accounts payable, payroll, and review functions to provide dependable backup coverage
- Prepare schedules and supporting materials and respond to requests for annual and grant-specific audits
- Verify that expenditures comply with grant terms and applicable regulations
- Keep complete records and supporting documentation for audit requirements
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related discipline
- Two to five years of accounting experience, ideally involving nonprofit or grant-funded organizations
- Working proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting platforms such as MIP, Sage Intacct, Blackbaud, or comparable systems
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities
- Ability to oversee multiple grants and competing deadlines at the same time
- Clear and effective written and verbal communication
- Knowledge of fund accounting and cost allocation methods preferred
- Familiarity with nonprofit financial statements and restricted-fund accounting preferred
- Background in nonprofit, legal, or social services settings preferred
- Genuine interest in legal aid and expanding access to justice
- Ability and willingness to collaborate respectfully across multiple timelines in a decentralized statewide law firm
- Awareness of the needs of low-income and vulnerable communities
- Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from varied backgrounds
- Commitment to confidentiality and sound ethical decision-making
- Comfort with regular computer use and alternating between seated and standing work at a workstation
Benefits
- Hybrid work arrangement