Description

Organization: Local Media Association / Local Media Foundation.

Position details: Exempt, 40 hours per week, salaried.

Location: Anywhere in the continental United States with reliable broadband internet access. Local Media Association and Local Media Foundation are virtual organizations. Exact work schedule is negotiable, but most LMA/LMF business is conducted weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Starting: Preferably in October or November 2025. The position will remain open for applications until filled. 

Reports to: LMA/LMF director of finance. 

Compensation: Salary of ~$73,000 per year depending on experience. Includes 15 days PTO per year, company holidays, benefits including health insurance and 401(k) with employer match, a company-furnished computer, and reimbursement for mobile service and internet access. 

Summary: Local Media Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association serving the local news media industry, and Local Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association, seek a skilled and detail-oriented Staff Accountant with experience in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, particularly in hands-on finance and accounting for foundations acting as fiscal sponsors and fiscal agents, grant-funded programs, and general financial activities of a trade association.

The Staff Accountant role will be hands-on with financial transactions including receivables, payables, journal entries, reconciliation, and banking transactions. This role includes helping build, troubleshoot, upload and manage annual LMA and LMF budgets. The Accountant will also design and prepare routine financial reports and analyses using the tools provided in our implementation of Sage Intacct for Nonprofits. The Accountant’s efforts will assist the head of finance and other executives with financial planning, managing financial risks, record-keeping, financial reporting, and guiding the executive management team on financial decisions. The Accountant will ensure all work is done in compliance with relevant regulations and alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.

The Staff Accountant also will perform financial and accounting functions for Word In Black, a for-profit public benefit corporation that recently spun out from Local Media Foundation. LMA operates Word In Black under a management agreement, while LMF oversees philanthropic funding in support of the journalism activities of WIB.

Our finance and accounting department also serves to coordinate human resources activities, including payroll and benefits administration, for LMA, LMF and WIB. The Staff Accountant will participate in this work through our Professional Employer Organization (TriNet), as well.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of financial and H.R. principles, excellent organizational skills, the ability to conduct a broad range of hands-on accounting activities, strength in communicating financial information to leadership, and a commitment to accuracy and integrity in financial reporting.

The Staff Accountant will join a team that includes the department head and three other part-time staff members.

Responsibilities:

Financial Responsibilities:

• Prepare long-term and short-term financial plans, budgets, and forecasts.
• Provide financial insights and analysis to inform strategic decisions.
• Perform all financial functions including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and assistance with auditing.
• Assist the director of finance to manage cash flow and ensure liquidity, both in general and for specific grant-funded programs, to meet organizational needs.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to stakeholders, including the board of directors, funders, and regulatory bodies.
• Assist with developing and implementing financial policies and procedures.
• Execute day-to-day accounting activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger maintenance, using Impexium (our association management platform), Sage Intacct (our finance/accounting platform), and online banking interfaces.
• Execute day-to-day activities for payroll and benefits administration for LMA, LMF and WIB employees, via our Professional Employer Organization relationship with TriNet and our 401(k) platform with Ascensus.
• With others on the finance team, execute receivables and payables for LMA, LMF, WIB and programs for which we serve as a fiscal sponsor/fiscal agent.
• Help oversee LMA, LMF and WIB investments, including CDs and long-term investment accounts.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure all work complies with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as internal policies.
• Participate in the annual audit process, liaising with external auditors and the audit committee, as well as any audits required by funders.
  Help identify and mitigate financial risks.

Grant and Fund Management:

• Help administer the financial management of grants and restricted funds.
• Ensure work complies with grant requirements and timely reporting to funders.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with the finance team and LMA/LMF leadership to provide financial analysis and help with planning.
• Collaborate with program directors to support financial aspects of program delivery.

Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes and improve efficiency, particularly in use of our supporting platforms (Impexium, Sage Intacct, TriNet).

Interested in the job? If so, please send a résumé, cover letter and any other materials that might help us understand your experience and qualifications by email to Jay Small, co-CEO, at jay.small@localmedia.org.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in staff accounting roles, with exposure to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Media industry experience is a plus but not required.
• Strong experience in hands-on use of Sage Intacct (not other versions of Sage) is required. Experience in Impexium or similar association management platforms is also highly desired, as is experience with PEOs such as TriNet for payroll/benefits/employer compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets, as well as web-based applications for data analysis, document management and other relevant computer applications.
• Comfort and efficiency with a fast pace of front-line, hands-on work.
• Experience working with foundations acting as fiscal sponsors or fiscal agents is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with grant accounting principles and requirements.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

We are a virtual organization. Candidates should be self-motivated and able to manage their time effectively to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work. We offer a supportive work environment and opportunities for professional growth and development. LMA/LMF encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.