Accounting Specialist III (7453)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong and communities are vibrant.

Since 1982, Lutheran Services Florida has been providing and sharing solutions to protect Florida’s most vulnerable. Today, we are one of the largest nonprofits in Florida touching 1 in 50 Floridians with a wide range of services, including:

• early childhood education
• refugee and immigration
• mental health and substance abuse
• juvenile justice
• child welfare

LSF is looking for an Accounting Specialist III who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

General Description:

Provide direct financial client services for all clients of the Office of Public Guardian program.

A Day in the Life of an Accounting Specialist:

• Prepare reports detailing client asset holdings including but not limited to IRA’s, insurances, real estate, annuities, and all other assets to Program Client Accounting Manager, Client Accounting staff and local program staff for use in client related activities, reports to court and auditors review.
• Prepare forms/applications to open new guardianship accounts, QIT’s, burial accounts etc.
• Coordinate with the Client Accounting Manager for the registration of and management of client brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, life insurance etc.
• Advocacy on behalf of all clients.
• Establish and maintain community relationships with attorneys, appraisers, realtors, auto personnel, insurance providers and other vendors on behalf of the agency and our clients.
• Maintain positive working relationships with the community and other LSF staff.
• Represents the agency with involvement on local committees, groups and organizations with an interest in guardianship.
• Review and process payment of client invoices.
• Back up for the Preparation of daily bank deposits for wards’ funds, reconcile statements of transactions, prepare and maintain clients’ monthly income report.
• Log and record all time for entry into the client billing system and proper case notes to file.
• Coordinate with case managers for first time applications and ongoing eligibility for benefit programs, including but not limited to: Medicare, Medicare D, Social Security, Veteran’s Benefits, Social Security Benefits, Waiver Programs, and Medicaid.
• Prepare, monitor and maintain a listing of client real estate, taxes, listing and insurance status.
• Marshaling, investigation and tracking of all liquid assets including but not limited to bank accounts, securities, etc. on behalf of new clients.
• Marshaling of real estate, autos, jewelry, artwork, tangible personal property, obtain appraisal, coordinate with direct manager, Attorney and court for management, sale of same.
• Coordination of lawn, pool, repair work, auto repairs and ongoing insurance for client assets etc.
• Prepare necessary paperwork to redirect all client income, initiate direct deposits of same, complete client representative payee reports.
• Maintain recurring pay record for clients.
• Preparation of reports to the court: Initial Inventories and Accountings to be filed with the court
• Perform periodic asset reviews, prepare statistics for audits, program staff, client accounting, and attorneys, and others as required; audit and compile client assets, income, and payables reports.
• Monitor and maintain listing of client’s belongings in storage unit, safe or other storage area.
• Participates in in-service training sessions and attends all mandatory training sessions.

Other Functions:

• Document all client related activity.
• Maintain an accurate account of activities in the client logs and case notes for each ward.
• Assist in answering the phones when it’s needed.
• Handle all assets and financial affairs of each ward under the prudent person rule, with the primary objective being to protect and preserve the wards assets.
• Any other duties as assigned by the program administrator.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to sit and work at a desk/computer for long periods of time.
• Able to handle high stress situations.
• Need to have a reliable transportation.
• Light lifting and bending will be required.
• This position may be subject to unsanitary homes, physical exertion and possible physical or verbal abuse from clients.
• There may be a need to lift some heavy items at times.
• Work is performed with limited supervision.
• This position is entrusted and required to communicate confidential and/or sensitive information outside the Agency.
• Work is performed on a highly independent basis.
• Must work well independently, as well as get along well with all other staff and outside contacts.

Education:

• Associates or Bachelor Degree in bookkeeping is Preferred or 2 years’ experience in related field.

Experience:

• Minimum two years’ experience in banking or bookkeeping.
• Experience in guardianship preferred.

Skills:

• Bookkeeping/accounting, excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, problem-solving and, time management skills.
• Able to follow written and verbal instructions, proficient with general office machines.
• Proficiency in excel spreadsheets.
• This individual must be a self starter and require minimum supervision with a pleasant, friendly demeanor.
• Must possess creativity in order to determine more timesaving methods in the further development of existing organizational operations.
• This individual must meet any requirements by law or local court ruling.

Other:

• Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Accurate, complete and timely submission of all required court reports under FS 744.
• Team player with co-workers.
• Organized, complete and accurate program files.
• Professionalism in all LSF matters.
• Adherence to LSF personnel and procedures.

Why work for LSF?

Ability to Make an Impact in Multiple Areas

LSF offers several programs, spanning across a wide range of populations in need. This gives our team members an opportunity to learn and potentially work in programs outside of their direct area. Either way, members of the LSF family will play a part in transforming the lives of those in need.

Community

A career at LSF means working and learning alongside talented professionals in a dynamic and inclusive environment. The values of our organization – OPEN-MINDED, COMPASSIONATE, GENEROUS, VISIONARY and HONESTY – drives each one of us.

People working at Lutheran Services Florida treat each other like family. Whether you work on the front lines or work in an office, you share a common bond that is felt throughout the organization.

Growth Opportunities

Because of the variety of programs we offer throughout Florida, team members have the option to explore areas of interest in other programs or grow within their existing program/department.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Teledoc (24/7 access to doctors via phone and video)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term disability
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary), AD&D
• Health and dependent care FSA
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match
• Tuition reimbursement

Additional Voluntary Benefits

• Short-term disability
• Group life insurance
• Accident, critical illness/Cancer and hospital policy
• Legal Shield coverage

Lutheran Family Services embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.