Detroit Action is a grassroots member-led, community-based organization fighting for political power, racial and economic justice for working-class Black and Brown Detroiters. Our mission is to build the power of individuals and families to challenge the root cause of poverty, advance justice, and promote human development through neighborhood-driven community organizing and civic engagement.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Accounting Specialist will be the primary accounting support for all incoming and outgoing funds and financial reporting for the organization. They will manage the A/P and A/R processes which includes entering invoices into the accounting system, handling payment conflicts with vendors, and filing and managing contracts. The Accounting Specialist will support the operations team with the budgeting process, cash flows, and ad hoc reporting. Detroit Action is a small organization and everyone is expected to pitch in where there is a need. As such, additional tasks may include event planning/management, office management, and other areas not explicitly stated herein. The Accounting Specialist reports to the Operations Director and supports the full staff of Detroit Action.

Please note that Detroit Action is a fiscally sponsored project of Tides Advocacy. Tides Advocacy supports many accounting and finance tasks, such as the preparation of monthly financial statements, bank reconciliations and tax compliance. It is Detroit Action’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of these statements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial:

Ensure that check requests, deposits, employee reimbursements, accounts receivable, invoice, and accounts payable processes are handled in a timely fashion and documented appropriately.

Manage necessary relationships with vendors and other partners key to organizational and financial success.

Process and submit contracts to TIDES in a timely fashion and documented appropriately.

Track and monitor contracts ensuring they are up to date.

Create and provide financial reports as needed by all members of the organization.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist in planning and managing events, including ordering supplies, paying vendors, and helping during the event

Ensure supplies and merchandise are appropriately stocked in the office.

Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

2+ years experience processing A/P or similar role.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business is desired but not required

Experience with spreadsheet tools (Excel or Google Sheets)

Organizing/civic engagement, Black/Brown-centered, social justice experience a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Analytic, dot-connector, listener

Attention to detail and ability to thoughtfully prioritize

Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently and with limited direction

Strong computer skills and facility in adapting to new software is critical

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Outstanding organizational skills.Proactive orientation to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, embodying solidarity across many identities (race, class, gender, LGBTQIA+, ability, etc.)

Ability to build strong and sustainable relationships and the capability to interact within all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders and community members

Extremely versatile, adaptable, nimble

Love and respect for Black and Brown working class people of Detroit

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

The Accounting Specialist reports to the Operations Director. The Accounting Specialist regularly works with the various departments and organizational partners to maintain program efficiency. Detroit Action and Detroit Action Education are projects of Tides Advocacy and Tides Center.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to lift boxes of development materials.

Able to attend networking events throughout the Detroit area.

Must be able to travel domestically on an airplane 1-2 times a year.

Must be able to sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time.

Must be able to move around an office.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The position is a full-time position that works 35 hours per week. This position is currently remote, but typically based in an office building in Detroit, MI - The position will be required to work some weekends (Saturday and Sunday). The position may require national travel up to 5% of the time. The assigned workspace is a cubicle in an open and shared work area with a moderate level of noise and interruptions.

About the Organization:

Detroit Action Education and its sister organization, Detroit Action, are hosted projects of Tides Center and Tides Advocacy. We are affiliate partners of the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) and the Alliance for Youth Action. The successful candidate will receive generous benefits as provided by Tides. The salary will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years’ experience, location, job category, and other factors, but is expected to be $40,000-50,000 annually.

Detroit Action is an equal opportunity employer. We assure equal treatment in hiring selection,

promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, discipline and other personnel practices

and terms or conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national

origin, height, weight, marital status, genetic testing status, veteran status, disability, sexual

orientation, gender status, or any other protected class established by all applicable federal,

state and local laws and ordinances.