In partnership with colleges and universities, Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) hosts intensive, one-week college-preparatory academic boot camps for enlisted veterans and transitioning service members. Boot camps are offered in three disciplines: Humanities, STEM, and Business. Through faculty lectures, workshops and research projects, tailored assignments, and one-on-one tutoring, warrior-scholars acquire the skills to succeed in higher education and navigate the cultural shift from military service to college. Throughout the course, warrior-scholars are mentored by student veterans who have successfully transitioned from the military to college. WSP also offers workshops tailored to address the unique needs of veterans enrolled in community colleges and targeted programming for underrepresented veterans. All programming is provided at no cost to warrior-scholars.
ABOUT THE SEASONAL ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
WSP’s Seasonal Accounting Assistant will assist the Staff Accountant and Director of Finance during the busy programming summer season. Specific duties will focus on assisting with reviewing and processing expense reports and reimbursements, entering financial transactions into WSP’s internal databases, generating and producing reports, processing revenue recording, accounts payable processing, journal entries, transaction research and problem resolution, and communicating with fellows and central staff regarding accounting and finance-related tasks as needed.
Assist with the review and reconciliation of Fellow and Central Staff expense reports.
This responsibility requires logging into WSP’s expense reporting system (Certify), accounting system (QuickBooks Online), and vendor payment management platform (BILL). The review process also requires an understanding of the chart of accounts setup, referring to and familiarizing oneself with the approved budget, as well as collaborating with various staff and outside vendors. Successful completion of this task will provide a crucial learning opportunity for various interrelated accounting tasks, including accounts payable management, expense reporting, proper transaction coding, and utilizing the budget document, chart of accounts, class, and funding source recording, which touches on grant fund management. Additionally, running various accounting reports and reconciliation schemes will be required and learned as part of this task. This responsibility offers hands-on experience with widely used accounting applications, including QuickBooks, Certify, and BILL, enhancing practical financial software skills.
Assist with recording revenue received through various methods, such as check donations, online donations, wire transfers, and ACH transfers.
This task requires the analysis, categorization, and recording of incoming donations. Completing this responsibility will enable the Seasonal Accounting Assistant to continue to learn the fundamental accounting function of transaction analysis and gain insight into the information flow between banking, online donation platforms, and accounting systems.
Assist with weekly accounts payable functions, including invoice entry, system synchronization, and accounts payable aging reports.
This task requires reviewing vendor invoices and staff reimbursement requests, obtaining approval from the appropriate personnel within WSP, and entering the data into our vendor payment platform, ensuring all required backups (invoice cover sheets, receipts, contracts, etc.) are included. The Seasonal Accounting Assistant will communicate regularly with the Staff Accountant and Director of Finance for guidance and approval. Completing this task will provide learning opportunities for time management, organizational, analytical, bookkeeping, and audit trail maintenance skills.
Assist with issue resolution and transaction research.
This task involves identifying discrepancies in financial records, investigating missing or incorrect transactions, and resolving vendor and staff payment issues. The Seasonal Accounting Assistant will collaborate with the Staff Accountant and Director of Finance to research root causes, document findings, and propose solutions.
This responsibility requires critical and analytical thinking to systematically approach financial discrepancies, identify patterns, and develop logical solutions. The Seasonal Accounting Assistant will gain valuable experience collaborating with finance staff, other departments, and external vendors to resolve issues effectively. This task also fosters strong organizational and time management skills by requiring the ability to prioritize multiple issue-resolution tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate financial records. Additionally, it enhances problem-solving and decision-making abilities through the analysis of financial data, identification of potential errors, and determination of the most effective resolution strategies.
Assist with monthly journal entry tasks as may be requested.
Monthly journal entries, such as payroll journal entries and prepaid amortization entries, may be requested. Journal entry is a fundamental accounting skill requiring transaction analysis, proper chart of accounts usage, backup maintenance, and performing calculations needed to appropriately record transactions. Performing journal entries and related preparatory tasks will enable the learner to develop these essential accounting skills.
All of these responsibilities require working with various staff, customers, and vendors, providing opportunities to develop skills in collaboration, teamwork, business communication, time management, and data retention. As WSP follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), these accounting responsibilities will provide experience in operating within GAAP guidelines as they apply to nonprofit entities.