(Senior) Staff Accountant

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country.  We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change.  We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change.  We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections.  We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.  Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Chicago, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.

Our team is looking to fill a staff accounting position with duties centered on monthly reconciliations, booking closing journal entries, investigation of unusual transactions, and preparing fiscal year-end schedules. Additionally, this position will serve in a back-up capacity for other department tasks as assigned related to numerous system integrations in a rapidly growing organization.                                                                                                                         
The ideal candidate will have a strong base in accounting, excellent analytical skills, possess knowledge of cloud based applications that automate and streamline workflows, and have a critical mindset for investigating variances and discrepancies. And, depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications, the position can be filled as a Staff Accountant or Senior Staff Accountant.

Responsibilities:

General Ledger Accounting & Closing Activities (70%)

• Prepare monthly reconciliations for cash, investment, payroll, revenue and other accounts as assigned
• Prepare journal entries for investments, receivables, prepaids, fixed assets, and payables
• Reconcile card transactions (Concur expense reporting system)
• Assist with month-end close, financial statement preparation, and variance analysis
• Serve as a team member for various system upgrades or implementation projects (i.e. Netsuite, and Concur)
• Respond to accounting related questions from headquarters and regional office staff regarding financial reports, and provides appropriate interpretation as necessary.

Fiscal Year-End Activities (20%):

• Assist with document preparation for annual audit and tax filings, including preparing payroll related schedules, coordinating with the bank to prepare cash confirmations, reconciling the investment accounts, etc.
• Gather support documentation as requested by the audit team (i.e. pulling invoices, checks, monthly statements, and journal entry support)
• Help to field auditor questions for process and control walkthroughs

Other Duties (10%):

• Assist as needed with departmental projects (i.e. software transitions, changes in process or procedures, training regional staff on new system features, etc.)
• Ensure financial policies, procedures, and internal controls are adhered to

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business (with significant course-work in Accounting and Finance).
• To qualify for a Staff Accountant role, up to 3 years of professional-related experience working in accounting functions, with a demonstrated interest in not-for-profit organizations. To qualify for a Senior Staff Accountant role, at least 3 years of professional-related experience working in accounting functions, also with a demonstrated interest in not-for-profit organizations.
• Ability to effectively communicate and positively interact with people both internal and external to the organization.
• Highly competent Excel user with an understanding of how to work with large data sets in multiple systems to quickly identify variances (experience with pivot tables and vlookups highly desired).
• Experience working in Netsuite and Concur are highly desired
• Detail-oriented and highly organized individual with a demonstrated ability to document work performed in reconciliations.
• Strong sense of curiosity when encountering problems – will continue to dig until resolution.
• Able to work and think independently.
• Ability to keep information confidential.
• Flexibility in work assignments and as the department moves to a new accounting system in the next year.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive. We also offer an extremely congenial work environment and a casual dress code. 

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit a: 

• Resume.
• One or two page cover letter that addresses: (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission; and/or (2) any experiences you have working with people or communities from backgrounds that differ from your own or with those who have been disproportionately affected by environmental harms.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco:  Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles:  We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.