Staff Accountant (transitions to Senior Staff Accountant)

Job Title: Staff Accountant (NOTE: transitions to Senior Staff Accountant per pre-determined agreement and schedule upon hiring)

Department: Accounting

Reports to: Director of Finance

Salary Range: $64,124.00 – $104,201.50 Annually

Status: Exempt

Level: G8

Opens: January 21, 2026

Closes: February 04, 2026

SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Director of Finance, monitors daily financial activities of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Government operations using the highest standards of accounting principles. Assists program managers with understanding financial information. Verifies funds availability and approves invoices for payment. Prepares general journal and budget entries. Prepares financial and statistical reports. Performs cost recovery allocations. When assigned, directs the accounting activities of the support staff within the accounting department.
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees daily accounting for revenue and expenditures by departments; audits and reports financial transactions to funding sources; ensures accuracy and compliance with tribal, local, state, and federal requirements; and interprets and applies Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Maintains key unrestricted and restricted fund ledgers and provides specialized accounting for the maintenance, control, and reporting of revenues, expenditures, assets, liabilities, equities, and payroll for specifically assigned programs. Monitors departmental budgets and any related grant budgets. Informs management of conditions and status of adherence to laws and regulations.
• Interprets and analyzes financial operations and transactions, forecasts trends, and develops special complex reports and analyses for management and funding agencies; makes recommendations for asset utilization and expenditure control.
• Monitors and maintains appropriate revenue levels by actions such as letter of credit draw downs and cost reimbursement billings; oversees major liability accounts for the tribal government.
• Analyze purchase requests for allowable spending, proper classification and availability of funds. Journal entry input and payable corrections when necessary.
• Continual review of income statement, trial balance, and general ledger for appropriate classification.
• Develops complex accounting and database applications.
• Prepares monthly reconciliations for cost pools, assets, including bank accounts and accounts receivable, and other accounts as necessary.
• Keeps abreast of tribal government policies and procedures, current developments in accounting and auditing professions, and changes in local, state, and federal laws, as applicable.
• Interacts with governmental auditors and assists independent auditors with interim and year-end audits, as appropriate. Prepares schedules and reconciliations necessary to assist with the annual audit.
• Prepares accurate financial reports for program managers in a timely fashion and assists with budget requests and budget modification requests.
• Participates in the annual Executive budget process. Maintaining and updating department spreadsheets as necessary.
• Responsible for overseeing the work product of individuals within the Accounting Department as it relates to financial data entry, tracking, and organization of backup documentation.
• Trains department and program managers in the use of the accounting software.
• Trains department and program managers on requirements of the 2 CFR 200.
• Works with department and program managers to assure understanding and compliance with LTBB policies and grant requirements.
• Helps train accounting technical staff, as needed.
• Maintains detailed fixed asset records.
• Assists the CFO with internal program audits.
• Assists with preparation of Annual Report for citizens.
• Prepare billings to outside agencies.
• Monitor departmental budgets and any related grant budgets.
• Assist the enterprise bookkeepers as needed.
• Assist in the Indirect Cost Rate Proposal process.
• Prepares and submits grant financial reports on a timely basis.
• Conducts a tribal-wide inventory of capital assets.
• Verifies and provides proof of Per Capita payments to Tribal Citizens.
• Creates and maintains government-wide financial report templates within the software that conform to GASB standards for annual reports.
• Reviews ledgers continually for errors.
• Allocates cost recovery pools to ledger accounts on a routine, scheduled basis.
• Reviews fund balances for accuracy and compliance with statutes and resolutions.
• Actively reviews statutes and resolutions for effect on budgets and funds and posts as needed.
• Maintains up to date information regarding available fund balance amounts.
• Actively reconciles accounts.
• Actively reviews internal controls and offers input on improvements.
• Examines departmental internal controls in regard to safeguarding and issuance of incentives, gift cards or other materials and gives directors advice.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited university required, with three years of experience operating at a Staff Accountant Level preferred; with at least one year of that experience in governmental accounting. Additional years of experience, master’s degree, CPA, or CGFM preferred. Pay is directly related to experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Must have experience in budget preparation and fiscal management. Must be able to work as part of a team and be able to communicate effectively with supervisors, co-workers, external departments, vendors, and auditors. Must have a high degree of ethics and self-discipline. Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills required. Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment. Ability to respond effectively to complex inquiries from departments, granting agencies and regulatory agencies. Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret Federal laws, grantor guidelines, financial reports and legal documents. Must have knowledge of government budgeting. Full understanding of GASB and GAAP. Must be capable of supporting multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Knowledge of 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 225 (Cost Principles of Federal Awards for Indian Tribal Governments) required. Must be able to demonstrate knowledge.

NOTE: This position will transition to a Senior Staff Accountant per a pre-determined agreement and schedule that will be determined and signed upon hiring as part of the candidate’s offer letter. This will include specific knowledge and processes gained and pay increase(s) as appropriate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Professional, fast paced and multi-tasking environment.

COMMENTS: Indian preference will apply (Preference will be given to qualified Native American applicants in accordance with the LTBB Indian Preference Statute). Position is contingent upon completing and passing a thorough background check; including criminal, employment and financial.

ABOUT US: On Sept. 21, 1994, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) was federally reaffirmed with the signing of Public Law 103-324. The Tribe is governed by a nine-member Tribal Council who serve staggered terms. The LTBB Government presently employs over 200 employees across more than 20 departments, ranging from Healthcare to Natural Resources.

TO APPLY: Please submit LTBB Application Form, Resume, and Cover Letter by Email to hr@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov or via Fax, Mail, or In Person at our Human Resources office.

LTBB Application Form: https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Employment-Application.pdf

HR Contact Info: https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/departments/human-resources-department/job-opportunities/