Staff Accountant - PNA Benefits

Job Details: Job Location: Jawonio Inc - NEW CITY, NY, Position Type: Part Time, Salary Range: $20.00 - $22.00Hourly, Job Category: Accounting, Job Summary

The Staff Accountant - PNA Benefits administers and oversees individual Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) accounts for Jawonio’s residential programs. This part-time role performs monthly reconciliations and residential home audits, processes PNA-related disbursements, prepares reports for management, and ensures compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements. The position supports case managers and guardians, maintains audit-ready records, and helps strengthen internal controls over PNA funds.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct monthly audits of residential homes to ensure compliance with Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements by reviewing individual financial records, supporting documentation, cash balances, and account activity.
Manage and oversee individual PNA accounts, ensuring accurate tracking and administration of available spending balances and financial transactions.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of individual income, PNA allocations, expenditures, transfers, and account balances.
Review monthly PNA transactions and account activity to identify discrepancies, unusual transactions, unauthorized expenditures, or balances requiring follow-up and corrective action.
Monitor individual PNA balances to ensure compliance with applicable funding and resource limits of $1,500.00 threshold and proactively flag accounts nearing or exceeding limits.
Reconcile PNA records to bank statements, benefit reports, general ledger accounts, accounting records, and supporting schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Investigate and resolve discrepancies among PNA worksheets, accounting records, benefit reports, bank reconciliations, and individual account balances, escalating complex issues when appropriate, to Senior Accountant/Controller.
Maintain organized and audit-ready documentation for residential home reviews, internal audits, compliance monitoring, and follow financial record retention requirements.
Monitor changes in benefits, rent obligations, SNAP benefits, and other deductions that may impact available PNA funds and communicate relevant changes to appropriate stakeholders.
Ensure the confidentiality and security of individual financial information in accordance with organizational policies, HIPAA requirements, and applicable regulations.
Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of PNA policies, procedures, internal controls, and standardized documentation to support compliance and operational efficiency.
Prepare periodic financial and operational reports detailing PNA balances, expenditures, reconciliations, compliance findings, and outstanding issues for management review.
Provide guidance, training, and ongoing support to Residential and Program staff regarding PNA policies, procedures, documentation standards, and compliance requirements.
Identify and recommend opportunities to strengthen PNA processes, reduce errors, enhance internal controls, improve documentation practices, and increase overall operational efficiency.

Qualifications: Qualifications

Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Minimum 3 to 4 years of accounting, financial reporting, or compliance experience
Experience with government contracts and regulatory reporting preferred
Strong knowledge of reconciliations and tax filings
Proficiency in Excel and with NetSuite or other financial systems preferred
Excellent organizational skills and diligence

Skills & Competencies

Ability to manage multiple deadlines (monthly, quarterly, annual)
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders
Elevated level of accuracy, accountability, and professionalism

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Part-time
Schedule: 27.5 hours/week within the hours of 9:00AM - 5:00PM Monday - Friday
May require occasional on-site visits to residential homes; valid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred.