FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTANT & ASSISTANT
As of October 25, 2024
You may be asking yourself, “What exactly is a fiduciary?” A fiduciary is a person who acts on behalf of another, making important legal decisions for someone who can no longer do so without assistance, or in some cases, no longer wishes to do so. In the case of a Professional Fiduciary, we are charged with managing the financial and/or health care affairs of our community’s elder and special needs individuals, in accordance with their wishes, and/or in accordance with the terms of an overriding document (trust, will, court order, etc.). Our financial services range from oversight of client banking, bill payment, mail management, bookkeeping, investment accounts, and tax preparation, to management of notes receivable, residential and/or commercial real estate, and business entities. We also assist clients in managing their health care, including scheduling medical appointments, organizing transportation and accompaniment to/from appointments, in-home care logistics, end-of-life affairs, organization of
memorial services, and sometimes scattering of cremains.
We are strong, independent, compassionate, professional advocates for our clients, their dignity, and their wishes. We are sometimes referred to as the quarterback or conductor of the client’s financial and/or medical team. We have the pleasure of working with a wide range of other professionals in our efforts to manage our client affairs, including attorneys, CPA’s, investment advisors, real estate professionals, insurance agents, doctors, other medical professionals,
caregivers, and of course client family members and friends.
In a nutshell, our work is never dull.
We encourage you to visit our website, hansenpereira.com, as well as the Professional Fiduciary Association of California’s website, pfac-pro.org, and the website of our licensing body, the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau, fiduciary.ca.gov, for more information on
Professional Fiduciaries.
Currently, our firm is looking for a detail-oriented, personable, professional, and above all, highly ethical individual with bookkeeping experience and a great work ethic to join our team in serving, supporting, and safeguarding the most vulnerable older adult and special needs members of our community.
Job Title & Description: Fiduciary Accountant & Assistant
Full-time position (34 hours per week) available with established local fiduciary firm owned and managed by husband/wife team of professional fiduciaries. Looking for a detail-oriented, personable, professional, and above all, highly ethical individual with bookkeeping experience and a strong work ethic to join our team in serving, supporting, and safeguarding the most vulnerable older adult and special needs members of our community.
Hours: 34 hours per week, typical schedule of Monday – Thursday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Fridays 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (with possibility of additional hours), plus possible additional time as may be needed during tax season, February 1st – April 15th.
Compensation: $24 - $32/hour to start, depending on experience, education, and skillsets, with possibility of $26 - $34/hour after 90-day introductory period
Benefits: Sick leave, paid vacation (equivalent of 2 weeks per year for 40 hours/week worked), 10 paid holidays per year, 3% company retirement plan match, possibility of financial support for professional advancement for qualified employees.
Location: Old Town, Eureka - second floor of beautifully-restored historic building without an elevator; abundant natural light and view, open office floor plan, separate kitchen/dining area, private restroom; on-street 2-hour parking and metered parking across the street (parking paid by company); short walk to waterfront and dining options (Co-Op, Ramone’s, Los Bagels, and numerous other cafes and coffeehouses).
Job Duties:
The Accountant & Assistant is a critical support person for the firm’s fiduciaries in managing the financial affairs of the firm’s individual and entity cases. Tasks include but are not limited to collection of mail from client post office boxes and sorting/scanning of same; review and respond to written correspondence from third parties; review and processing of client payables and entry of same into QuickBooks; recording and delivering bank deposits; monthly bank/investment account reconciliations and bookkeeping for client accounts in QuickBooks; preparation of quarterly financial statement packets for clients; preparation of formal court and private trust accountings in Excel; assistance with completion of client tax return organizers; assistance with management of personal and real property for client cases; assistance with processing contents of client homes in preparation for downsizing or sale; personal shopping/errands for clients (both online and locally); visits to and correspondence with elderly and/or special needs clients; filing; and other administrative, business development, and/or client-related tasks as needed.
Position Requirements:
Educational/Professional Experience:
Minimum three years full-time equivalent bookkeeping/accounting experience, or bachelor’s degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting
Proficiency in QuickBooks; Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word; and Adobe
Keyboarding/data entry, minimum typing speed of 50 words per minute
Professional or personal experience working with the older adult and/or special needs populations a plus
Customer service experience a plus
Personality Traits & Skills:
Requires the highest level of personal integrity, honesty, and confidentiality
Following integrity, highly attuned attention to detail is a must
Exceptional organizational and communication skills (both written and verbal)
Excellent interpersonal skills and a team-player mentality
Strong work ethic and commitment to the needs of the firm and its clients
Ability to work independently and to “switch gears” if/when needed based on client/case or firm needs
Willingness to work in both an office setting as well as the field (client homes, assisted or skilled nursing facilities, storage units, etc.)
Innate desire to help others and high degree of compassion, sensitivity, and understanding toward others in regard to age, special needs, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religious preference
Ability to remain professional in the face of possible unexpected and socially inappropriate statements from clients with atypical neuro functioning
Due to extremely high level of legal and ethical duties owed to fiduciary clients, professionalism is of paramount importance, including but not limited to appropriate attire, language, decorum, and demeanor. Visible body art will be scrutinized (tattoos, piercings, unnatural hair colors, etc.) to ensure adherence with professional image of the company as perceived by existing clients, general target market, other client service providers, and referral sources. Strong odors (body products, body odor, or tobacco/marijuana smoke) are unacceptable due to sensitivity of elderly and immunocompromised clients, and members of H&P team.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to:
Ascend and descend long stairwell of both historic office building and of historic post office in Eureka
Assist physically-challenged adults with transfers into/out of vehicles, buildings, chairs
Reach, unlock/lock, and collect mail from post office boxes located between one foot and six feet off the ground
Lift up to 40 pounds
Sit for extended periods of time
Other Requirements:
Regular access to operational vehicle with current registration, current auto insurance, and valid driver’s license
Current vaccinations for COVID-19; seasonal flu; MMR (measles, mumps and rubella); and DTaP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
Please email a pdf cover letter and resume to Lisa Hansen at lisa@hansenpereira.com, including professional references. Applicants must be willing to submit to eventual background and credit checks