Grant Accounting Specialist

Grant Accounting Specialist

Community Alliance of Tenants’ (CAT) mission is to educate and empower tenants to demand safe stable and affordable housing. Founded in 1996, CAT is Oregon’s only statewide grassroots tenant-led tenant-membership organization. Low-income tenants – predominately low-wage workers, families with children, people living with disabilities, seniors and tenants from diverse backgrounds – are CAT’s primary membership base. CAT is building a strong housing justice movement that is led and directed by those who are most impacted by Oregon’s housing crisis.

As a growing organization, CAT seeks to hire a dynamic individual to support the daily/weekly/monthly accounting and administrative tasks. This position is designed to support CAT in the development of stronger financial and administrative operations. It is tasked with taking a supportive role in fostering an environment focused on sustainable growth, resiliency, and adaptability.

Reporting to the Accounting Manager, this position’s primary functions will be to handle the daily financial tasks of the department, support the accounting and administrative team, and maintain developed systems to support and empower staff to actively participate program needs.

About CAT: The Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT) has spent the last 24 years building a housing justice movement led by renters. We are a membership-driven organization taking great pride in educating and empowering one another to demand safe, stable, and affordable housing. CAT is building a strong housing justice movement that is led and directed by those who are most impacted by Oregon’s affordable housing crisis- low-income tenants, predominately low-wage workers, families with children, people living with disabilities, seniors, Black, Indigenous and people of color.

We use a three-pronged approach to Tenant Power: Tenant Education, Tenant Organizing, and Tenant Advocacy. We operate an educational hotline run by staff and volunteers – walking callers through their rights and responsibilities one-on-one. We host dozens of community workshops each year and connect with each other through a deep network of community partners and service providers to meet various needs as they arise. We organize our friends, families and neighbors in our buildings and on the streets to build a culturally-humble, equity-driven, intersectional housing justice movement led by those of us who are most-impacted by housing injustices. We support the leadership and learning of our fellow housing advocates building on our shared experiences and knowledge. Finally, we learn from and represent one another on councils, boards, and civic engagement opportunities throughout the state for long-range systems change. BIPOC, Women, LGBTQ, Two Spirit and low-income renters are encouraged to apply to any of our open positions.

Accounting Coordinator

Responsibilities included but not limited to:

Accounting:

• Maintaining Accounts Payable through electronic billings, data entry, and documentation preparation.


• Assisting with Accounts Receivable data entry and documentation preparation.


• Retrieval and recording of mail and cash receipts, and making bank deposits.


• Organize paperless file systems and ensure compliance of documentation.


• Collecting information and conducting research as necessary.

• Assisting the Accounting Manager, Development Manager, and the Finance Director in other accounting or administrative duties.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three years or more accounting/bookkeeping experience, with willingness to learn nonprofit accounting.


• A working knowledge of general ledger cost accounting.


• Advanced level knowledge of paperless file management, Adobe Pro, and Microsoft Office products.


• Ability to function independently as a self-directed, collaborative team member.


• Demonstrated ability to maintain ethics and integrity.


• Keen attention to detail.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with nonprofit accounting, cost accounting, or project accounting..


• Familiarity with QuickBooks Online Advanced accounting software contract management experience.


• Willingness to learn and to share knowledge

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Interpersonal skills, ability to maintain relationships with colleagues 


• Demonstrated ability to accurately complete projects in a timely manner


• A knack for numbers and trends, with a passion and eye for the details


• Commitment to social justice, promoting and maintaining equity in the workplace 


• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Work Condition

• Ability to transport oneself to regular meetings and events throughout Oregon. 


• Able to sit for long periods of time. 


• Able to lift 20 lbs.


• Combination of regular required  in-person and remote work. 


• Required to work some evenings and weekends


• Comfort with Unionization

Compensation: Compensation is $56,000 – $61,939 per year depending on experience. Benefits include generous medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid vacation, sick, and family leave. Benefits package including 100% paid medical and dental for spouse or domestic partner and children; Oregon sick leave; Personal time off minimum of 120 hours per year; Family Leave after 180 days of employment; opportunity to participate in Oregon Saves Roth IRA program.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CAT is reliant on annual government grants as its primary source of funding. This position is funded 25% through the OHCS grant, and 75% through administrative indirect funds, unrestricted and general support funds. This position is subject to the availability of those funds.

Environment: CAT is a family-friendly workplace. Flexible hours and scheduling offered as they pertain to your team requirements.

Application Instructions:

This position is open until filled. First interviews begin March 14, 2025

Application materials include a resume, cover letter, supplemental questions and other required information.
To apply, click "Apply Now" and follow the instructions. 

For questions, please contact Kim McCarty, Executive Director at [email protected]

CAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Community Alliance of Tenants provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. CAT complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. BIPOC, Women, LGBTQ, Two Spirit, and low-income renters are encouraged to apply to all of our open positions.