POSITION OVERVIEW Are you a mission-aligned finance professional ready to bring your skills to an organization focused on equity and entrepreneurship? If so, consider joining us at Propeller as a Senior Accountant, where your financial expertise will help power transformative work in New Orleans and beyond. As a key member of our operations team, the Senior Accountant will oversee key financial functions, including bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, invoicing, budgeting, payroll, and maintenance of accounting records. The Senior Accountant will prepare monthly and annual account analyses, reconciliations, journal entries, and investment-related accounting. The role also includes administering payroll, managing employee benefit deductions and withholdings, and ensuring timely preparation of reports and regulatory filings. This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer. This is a hybrid position based in New Orleans and offers the opportunity to work in a role where finance and community impact meet. This is a salaried and exempt position. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & OUTCOMES General Accounting - Prepares monthly and annual reconciliations including allocating restricted vs. unrestricted funds, analysis, reports and journal entries that are properly executed and recorded with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
- Manages Propeller’s monthly close process including the monthly net asset rollforward.
- Manages Propeller’s Bill.com and processes all accounts payable.
- Maintain all vendors and contractors electronic files.
- Maintains debt schedules and ensures timely payment on any loans.
- Resolves issues with custodian bank and/or investment manager.
- Prepares pre-grant financial due diligence reviews in accordance with Propeller policy.
- Prepares monthly and annual reconciliations, analysis, reports and journal entries of all grants data and reconciles to the grants management database.
- Coordinates with auditors and tax prepares and provides all requested documents
- Prepares schedules and participates in annual audit. Interfaces with external auditors during the audit process, preparing all materials and answering questions as applicable.
- Coordinates the annual Form 990.
Financial Reporting - Prepare reports related to outstanding receivables and oversee collection efforts.
- Prepare ad-hoc financial analytics as requested from time to time by the CEO.
- Review weekly AP processes including review and first approver of all invoices entered into Bill.com, prepare weekly AP approval report and cash flow analysis for CEO review.
- Coordinate grant reporting including preparation of reports requested by the Development team and timely updates to grant ledger activity.
- Help the organization manage its liquidity by reviewing bank balances, deposits, and spending on a weekly basis.
- Lead preparation of annual operating budget and work with department heads to finalize their budgets. Provide department heads with ongoing budget versus actual reports.
Operations - Has primary duty to process semi-monthly payroll and Simple IRA contributions, including, but not limited to, coding, verifying, auditing all earnings and deductions, and maintaining payroll documentation and records in accordance with Propeller policies, procedures and Federal and State regulations.
- Works closely with HR | Talent & Culture team members to ensure all new hires, terminations and adjustments are processed accurately.
- Communicates with all external vendors related to payroll. Serves as the primary contact with the third-party vendor on all payroll related matters.
- Prepares and reconciles files and reports related to the Simple IRA yearly census and other filings.
- Lead the annual enrollment process for health and wellness benefits.
- Manage the insurance policies and renewal processes.
- Provides training, information, and assistance to staff on Propeller accounting policies and procedures on payroll and attendance matters.
This position requires periodic evening and weekend work. CRITICAL COMPETENCIES - Personal qualities of emotional intelligence and maturity, humility, and unwavering commitment to Propeller’s mission.
- Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments.
- A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential.
- Keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation versus simple reporting.
- Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.
- Payroll administration experience. Detailed knowledge of federal and state regulations related to wage and hour law, taxable earnings and benefits.
- Project management skills, with demonstrated experience stewarding projects from inception to completion.
- Builds trust and credibility in relationships by demonstrating consistency between words and actions.
- Self-motivated, innovative, and works with considerable independence within the context of an overall strategy and collaborative team.
- Attention to detail and demonstrated success with budgeting, scheduling, managing multiple projects and deadlines, and establishing priorities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, personable demeanor, and ability to collaborate and work cross-departmentally internally.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE - Bachelor’s or equivalent knowledge in accounting + 4-6 years’ experience, or Master’s or equivalent knowledge + 2-4 years’ experience; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
- Experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including grant accounting and use of QuickBooks.
- Experience working alongside prominent New Orleans communities of color (Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Vietnamese-American, and others).
- Written and verbal familiarity in the history of structural racism in the US and its current manifestations in New Orleans and nationally, particularly in the area of business development. Fluency in this area is highly desired.
Manager: Chief Executive Officer, Jessica Allen Compensation: $70,167.50 - $81,311.75, Propeller offers a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; retirement, paid time off, and professional development. Location: New Orleans, LA with the opportunity for hybrid remote work. Start Date: Q3 2025 TO APPLY
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 Application Directions: Apply here presenting your resume, cover letter, and responses to the questions below. In your cover letter, please explain how you heard about Propeller and your interest and qualifications in the position. - What will be your greatest strength in this role? In what way will you need to grow the most to be successful in this role? (2-4 sentences)
- What gives you energy in your current work? What drains your energy in your current work? (2-4 sentences)
- How do you envision this role working in collaboration with the Propeller in support of building an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem in the city of New Orleans? (3-5 sentences)
The salary range for this position is $70,167.50 - $81,311.75 based on preferred experience and competencies. Does this range satisfy your salary requirement? (1-2 sentences) |