Accountant

Job Description/Job Posting updated 08/06/2025

Position Title: Accountant FLSA Status: Salary/Exempt/Full Time

Department: Accounting/Finance Reports To: CFO/Accounting Manager

Location: Hybrid-based in Marquette, Grand Rapids or Battle Creek, Michigan with occasional travel to Marquette and other areas in Michigan

Northern Initiatives’ Mission

Northern Initiatives (NI) is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution that provides access to capital, information and markets to advance and connect small businesses and their communities. Northern Initiatives supports entrepreneurs, businesses, manufacturing firms, banks, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations in a common effort to strengthen the economy of Michigan. With $48M in assets and $21M in net assets, NI manages a variety of loan funds. Celebrating 30+ years, NI has made more than $120M in loans to small business.

Position Summary

The Accountant position ensures that the day-to-day operations relating to finance and accounting are executed properly. In coordination with the accounting team, including the Senior Accountant and CFO/Accounting Manager, the Accountant is responsible for financial statement preparation and reporting, financial analysis when needed, and supporting compliance requirements. They are an integral member of the accounting team.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

· Supports the accounting team with both complex and routine accounting procedures and journal entries in compliance with GAAP

· Participate as a member of the accounting team in the monthly and year-end accounting closing and preparation of financial statements.

· Maintain the chart of accounts, general ledger, and ensure the integrity of organizational accounting data.

· Manage grant and funder reporting and ensure the proper accounting coding of grant expenditures.

· Contribute the continuous monitoring and improvement of cash flow.

· Assist the accounting team in the processing of payroll and employee benefits including tax filings as needed; train as a backup for payroll processing backup to ensure continuity

• Preparation of monthly reconciliations and journal entries.
  
• Preparation of monthly financial statements and reports.
  
• Develop, implement, modify, and document recordkeeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology.
  
• Coordinate and prepare reports for external audit and tax preparation working directly with outside accounting firm.
  
• Assist the accounting team in the process for development of the annual budget. Monitor annual budgets and report on variances as required. Work with staff on budgets for the grant application process.
  
• Assist the accounting team the preparation and collection of data for grant/program reporting and reporting to the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors.
  
• Assist the accounting team and other staff, as needed, with financial reporting and financial management.
  

· Support the accounting team’s efforts for the annual audit, single audit, and Form 990 preparation processes.

· Professional communication, positive team work and reliability are essential for this position.

· Other responsibilities/projects as assigned for the business needs of the department and/or the organization.

• Attend and actively participate in all team meetings, staff meetings, DEI and culture trainings, Clifton StrengthsFinder, planning sessions, staff retreats and other virtual or in-person meetings as needed; follow NI�s Zoom meeting expectations (being on camera, etc) for professional communication
  

· Represent Northern Initiatives in a professional manner

·

This is not an exhaustive list of job responsibilities; all other duties as assigned and/or needed for business continuity.

Physical Requirements & Schedule Requirements

· Must live/work in Marquette, Grand Rapids or Battle Creek, Michigan and be available for occasional travel throughout Michigan

· Occasional travel with in the United States and Internationally (Canada and other countries) to meet with clients, partners, and potential clients, and for conferences and events via car travel and/or commercial air travel

· Work in-person an NI office at least one day per week or more as business needs arise; in-person meetings required including meetings with accounting team and other groups at various locations around Michigan

· Meetings are virtual meeting via Zoom or similar platform, or in-person at NI offices or other meeting locations

· In-person meetings or trainings are required many times throughout the year around the state of Michigan to meet the needs of NI teams, clients and partners

· Long stretches of time are spent on computer work, typing, Zoom meetings and similar desk-based work

• Reliable team member with a consistent schedule and dependable for clients and team
  

· Have a distraction-free work environment for all remote work to ensure work consistency and a professional meeting environment

· Schedule is typically M-F, business hours similar to our financial partners, with occasional evenings or weekends for meetings, travel or other business needs

· Travel within Michigan twice per year for 1 week each for all staff retreats (usually May/June and late Sept/early Oct)

· Majority of meetings and work for this role are during business hours of the Eastern Time Zone

· Driving is not required for this position, but this employee is responsible for coordinating their own transportation to/from work events (expenses for this will be budgeted/approved ahead of time by the supervisor, and payment options will be planned or reimbursement available to the employee for those costs). Reasonable accommodations for travel/transportation will be considered through the interactive process.

· If driving for work purposes, employee must maintain a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure that full coverage vehicle insurance is current and meets all state requirements. Northern Initiatives may ask at any time for a copy of employees’ drivers licenses and/or vehicle insurance for business purposes.

Experience Requirements

Years of Experience

Type of Experience

Minimum 2 years of experience in business, accounting, finance or similar areas required

3+ years of direct experience preferred

· Bachelor degree required in accounting, finance or similar area

· Experience in banking, loan services or similar experience preferred

Minimum 1 year of experience as accountant or similar role required

· Experience working within an accounting team preferred

· Nonprofit accounting experience preferred

· Considerable previous experience in same or similar positions preferred

Supervision

This position does not have supervision responsibilities. This position reports to the CFO/Accounting Manager and is part of the accounting team which is typically 4-5 team members. The reporting structure of this department may change as organizational needs change.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan includes goals to increase lending to BIPOC communities, rural area, female and veteran business owners, as well as enhancing our diversity, equity and inclusion practices and policies. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and life experiences. Northern Initiatives shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

Accommodations

Applicants are encouraged to contact Human Resources at careers@northerninitiatives.org if assistance is needed in the application or hiring process, or we can answer questions about our organization and its hiring process. ADA accommodation requests or other types of accommodation requests should be sent to careers@northerninitiatives.org or call (906) 228-5571. Northern Initiatives upholds all applicable state and federal employment laws.

Benefits & Compensation

This is a full time, salaried/exempt position that is 40 hours per week. Occasionally, working over 40 hours per week is necessary for business success. This position qualifies for the full benefit package including medical, dental, vision, short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, 403B with discretionary match, generous paid vacation time, paid sick time, and other benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience/education with an anticipated range of approximately $50,000-70,000 annual salary. Application, resume, professional references, and background checks are required for all positions. Official transcripts may be requested. Northern Initiatives is an at-will employer based in Michigan and follows all applicable state and federal employment laws. Annual background checks are required and continued employment is contingent on those background checks being clear and meeting SBA standards.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
  
• 401(k) matching
  
• Dental insurance
  
• Family leave
  
• Flexible spending account
  
• Health insurance
  
• Health savings account
  
• Life insurance
  
• Paid time off
  
• Parental leave
  
• Vision insurance
  

Application Question(s):

• If you were offered this position, are you available to live/work in one of these locations: Marquette, Battle Creek or Grand Rapids, Michigan?
  
• Does your education & experience meet or exceed the minimum requirements of this position- Bachelor degree and 2 years of direct experience with at least 1 year working as an accountant?
  
• Tell us about your experience with accounting/finance for nonprofit organizations.
  

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Marquette, MI 49855