Accounting Advisor
TEACH. LEAD. LEARN. SOLVE PROBLEMS. BUILD COMMUNITY. NAVIGATE RESOURCES. FIGHT INEQUALITY. BRING YOUR PASSION TO SUPPORT OTHERS IN REALIZING THEIR SUCCESS.
Are you passionate about helping others succeed and grow? Do you have experience in small business bookkeeping and general knowledge of accounting, and you’re ready to apply your skills in meaningful ways? Do you desire to help entrepreneurs build their knowledge & skills to utilize their financial recordkeeping to make data-based decisions in support of their goals? Do you have a knack for communicating about numbers and basic financial tracking in a way that reduces anxiety and builds confidence in others?
If this describes you and your desires for your next professional endeavor, join the Livelihood NW team! We are hiring an Accounting Advisor for a flexible, part-time position (average 25 hrs/week) with the opportunity to grow to a full-time position.
Overview
As an Accounting Advisor and part of the Livelihood NW Advising Team, you will get to work with small business owners to help them achieve their potential. You’ll help entrepreneurs grow their bookkeeping and accounting skills by contributing your expertise and navigating resources. You need to be resourceful in helping people find answers, solve problems, and think about the “big picture”. You don’t have to know it all, instead, it's important that you are able to seek resources to help clients rise to new challenges. You need to demonstrate multicultural competency that supports the development of trust and confidence in the diverse clientele supported through our work.
As a local nonprofit in Portland, OR, our mission is to foster business sustainability and growth for historically under-served entrepreneurs within local communities. We provide exceptional business development support services to promote lifelong learning, empowerment, and positive economic impact. With more than twenty-seven years experience providing technical assistance and business advisory services to small businesses, Livelihood NW provides education, resources, and relationship building opportunities to businesses owned by people of color, women, LGBTQA+, immigrants and refugees, veterans, and low-to-moderate income individuals, with the goal to equip entrepreneurs with the capabilities to create wealth for their families, employees, and communities.
By joining our team, you’ll work with a group of incredibly passionate individuals that are both intensely collaborative and communicative, while also excellent with self directed projects and managing client case work. Be part of a team that supports each other, embraces the diverse perspectives we each contribute, values work/life balance. Our team is committed to continuous personal and professional development opportunities for ourselves, which carries forward for our clients.
Our team is growing, and we are seeking passionate and talented individuals who are great coaches, advisors, mentors, and community members. Candidates who demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and business acumen are encouraged to apply!
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Accounting Advisor is to provide technical support related to small business bookkeeping, based on accounting standards. This role supports Livelihood NW small business clients and program participants in bookkeeping system setup and success through one-on-one consulting, group workshops and trainings, and ongoing bookkeeping and accounting coaching. The role offers flexible, remote work scheduling options. Livelihood NW delivers business support services virtually only, however all Livelihood NW staff need to be located near Portland, Oregon, or willing to commute, in order to attend periodic in-person staff and community events.
EXPECTED RESULTS OF JOB PERFORMANCE
Ensure that all Livelihood NW clients, workshop participants, and Open Accounting Advising participants receive exceptional support and learning opportunities that meet their needs, forward their goals, and continually improve their business skills, while maintaining the overall integrity of Livelihood NW, our funders and partners, and the local business community.
Equip the small business client to successfully utilize their accounting software by providing the knowledge, tools, and training to operate and understand their bookkeeping system. Once bookkeeping training is complete, the client should be able to generate month-end and quarterly reports, reconcile bank statements, categorize transactions, understand their general ledger, and be confident in effectively managing a bookkeeper as needed.
Engage as a contributing member of the Livelihood NW team, ensuring a harmonious and effective work environment that strengthens the program's mission and our service delivery to small business clients, and community partners.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES)
Build trust and relationships with new and established small business owners, in order to provide one-on-one accounting-related technical assistance, advising, and consulting services to small business clients utilizing a professional approach with relevant and accurate business accounting acumen.
Meet with entrepreneurs through Open Accounting Advising appointments to answer quick questions related to tracking business finances, and refer to resources including Livelihood NW’s in-depth bookkeeping program.
Meet with Livelihood NW clients to conduct a needs assessment for each business, identifying their accounting and bookkeeping support needs, and creating an action plan for how those needs can be met through program services.
Provide support to Livelihood NW’s business bookkeeping workshops and trainings, which may include teaching, development of asynchronous video content, and/or outreach.
Support clients with accounting software set up (including but not limited to QuickBooks Online or Wave.) This includes technical assistance for account creation and customization, linking business bank accounts, and the provision of ongoing user training. Clients may be participants in a group class series paired with individual coaching, or this may involve a custom scope of work for bookkeeping training.
Conduct file reviews of existing business bookkeeping systems, and support clients with clean-up and process improvement.
Inform and collaborate with Business Advisors when needs in areas other than accounting are identified through working with clients. Refer entrepreneurs to Open Business Advising as appropriate.
Maintain strong communication and effective professional support in managing client relationships.
Effectively document activities and outcomes including: time tracking, client goals and action plans, project progress, and client activities and achievements. Perform administrative duties in conformance with contract guidelines and Livelihood NW reporting requirements. Input client data and outcomes into tracking/database systems.
Demonstrate accuracy, attention to detail, maintenance of confidentiality, and the ability to meet deadlines and appropriately interact with sensitive information.
Act in support of the Livelihood team, administrative staff, advisors, and students to ensure a supportive environment and effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Other duties may be assigned.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Professional or educational experience meeting two or more of the following, is required:
Bookkeeping experience, including proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Wave, and/or other bookkeeping software.
Experience in entrepreneurship, small business ownership or management, microenterprise development, business assistance, consulting, training, teaching and/or mentoring adults.
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a business related field (preferably Accounting) or equivalent professional experience.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Excellent general computer skills. Proficiency with both Mac and PC preferred. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, as well as G Suite, Google Docs, and Zoom.
Multilingual candidates preferred, not required. Spoken and written English fluency required.
Demonstrate multicultural competency, including the ability to consider alternative and diverse perspectives, interact effectively with people in a positive manner that engenders confidence and trust.
Demonstrate enthusiasm for small business and/or entrepreneurship.
Ability to follow up with clients, partners and colleagues in a timely manner.
Ability to lead and teach others. Effective leadership skills.
Experience teaching and facilitating in a small classroom and/or virtual environment.
Professional demeanor, focused, articulate and well organized.
Superior communication skills, both verbal and written.
Ability to demonstrate active listening skills.
Highly motivated, self-starter.
Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple projects.
Ability to work independently and perform relevant research.
Superior analytical skills.
Strong technical writing skills.
Effective time management and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Compensation: Position is paid hourly. Hourly wage from $25-$32/hr. depending on experience. Weekly hours are not expected to exceed an average of 25 hours a week. Benefits include cell phone stipend and a retirement match program for eligible staff. Opportunities to grow to full-time status with salaried compensations that include medical and retirement benefits.
Position Location: Livelihood NW delivers business support services virtually only, however all Livelihood NW staff need to be located near Portland, Oregon, or willing to commute, in order to attend periodic in-person staff and community events.
Physical Requirements: Position requires sitting for extended periods of time. Position requires physical lifting of 35lbs. or less, on a limited basis.
Work Schedule: The hours will vary, on average, around 25 hours per week , while never exceeding 32 hours per week. Employees must be able to work effectively by telecommuting. Responsibilities must be met four to five days a week during business hours. Some evening and weekend work engagements required. Specific weekly schedule is flexible.
Livelihood NW is an Equal Opportunity organization and encourages applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity, equity and inclusion.
TO APPLY
Click the button below to submit an application package. Applications accepted until the position is filled. If you have questions feel free to contact us at hr@livelihoodnw.org.