Accounting Assistant

Essential Duties

As a part of the Sunrise team, supporting our Mission, Principles of Service and Core Values is a fundamental part of this job. Our foundational belief is the sacred value of human life. The unique responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to the essential functions listed as follows:

Accounts Receivable

• Assist the Controller with the community’s accounting functions.


• Maintain computerized accounts receivable system according to Sunrise Senior Living policy and procedures:
  
  
  
  • Review all input.
  
  
  • Assist with maintaining data integrity controls.
  
  
  • Coordinate processing with the Controller.
  
  
  • Review and assist with analysis of output reports.
  
  


• Assist with and ensures timely issuance of billing statements.


• Maintain timely billings and collections of accounts receivables; develop effective working relationships with Medicare/Medicaid billing office to resolve claims and obtain timely reimbursement.


• Develop and maintain current knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid requirements to properly process billing and regulatory reporting (if applicable at community).


• Reconcile and control cash accounts for resident deposits and petty cash accounts. Responsible for timely bank deposits and concentration of cash; responsible for documentation, reconciliation and reporting (1099s) for Resident deposits; reconciles cash accounts and petty cash funds.


• Administer resident trust funds where applicable.

Accounts Payable

• Assist the Controller with the community’s accounts payable system according to Sunrise Senior Living policy and procedures; maintain departmental checkbooks and review accounts payable output reports.


• Assist in preparing accruals and reversals; correct and adjust journal entries as necessary.


• Process invoices with the proper approvals and coding per Sunrise Senior Living policy and business process controls.


• Assist in maintaining the Departmental Per Resident Day (PRD) Checkbook each month and ensure expenses incurred but not invoiced or paid within the current accounting period are properly accrued.


• Process fixed asset purchases for approved projects / purchases.

Controls Environment

• Assist and monitor all community key business controls each month and ensure they are executed in accordance with Sunrise Senior Living policy.


• Assist with daily manual census and reconcile month-end census to the billing system.


• Assist the Controller with the Monthly Key Controls Checklist and review for completeness and accuracy; follow up with community team leaders on noted exceptions to Sunrise Senior Living policy.


• Support and assist the Controller with the preparation of the Balance Sheet reconciliations each month in accordance with department policy.

Financial Management

• Assist in the presentation and value of Sunrise’s products and services for our residents, families, and team members and targeted referral sources.


• Assist the Controller in completing the annual community budget.


• Understand the department budget to include labor/labour and other expenses and its impact on the community’s bottom line.


• Assist the Controller with reviews of monthly financial statements and assists with implementing plans of actions around deficiencies.


• Understand the internal cost associated with all Sunrise Senior Living resident care programs.


• Assist with maintaining reports used to manage community revenues and costs.

Risk Management and General Safety

• Partner with community team to ensure community is in compliance with national/provincial regulations pertaining to occupational health and safety requirements and promotion of Risk Management programs and policies; adherence to safety rules and regulations.


• Practice safety procedures at all times including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), fire extinguishers, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), and Lockout Tagout procedures.


• Review, read, notate and initial Daily Log to document and learn about pertinent information.

Training, and Contributing to Team Success

• Assist the Controller with training and on-boarding of new department team members.


• Participate actively as a member of a team and committed to working toward team goals.


• Demonstrate in daily interactions with others, our Team Member Credo.


• Commit to serving our residents and guests through our Principles of Service.


• Contribute in the overall engagement programs and processes (customer and team member engagement) including participating in the team member engagement survey and engagement improvement planning workshops.


• Attend regular meetings; Town Hall, Department Team Meetings, Cross Over, and others as directed by the Supervisor/ Department Coordinator.


• Keep abreast of professional developments in the field by reading, attending conferences, and training sessions.


• Maintain compliance in assigned required training and all training required by state/province or other regulating authorities as applicable to this role to ensure that Sunrise standards are always met.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Building Customer Loyalty


• Building Trust


• Communication


• Contributing to Team Success


• Managing Work (includes Time Management)


• Planning and Organizing


• Quality Orientation


• Stress Tolerance


• Technical / Professional Knowledge

Experience and Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed throughout this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

• Associate degree in Accounting or related field preferred


• Two (2) years experience in accounting field with exposure to accounting services within a senior housing and/or healthcare environment


• Ability to handle multiple priorities


• Possess written and verbal skills for effective communication


• Competent in organizational, time management skills


• Demonstration of proficiency in computer skills, Microsoft Office (Windows, Outlook, Excel) and Sunrise applications with the ability to learn new applications


• Demonstrates good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills


• As applicable, all Sunrise team members who drive a Sunrise vehicle must sign the Driver job description and understand the key essential duties for safety and regulatory compliance