Staff Accountant

Job Description

The Staff Accountant is responsible for general accounting and financial record keeping at the Garden. This position performs various professional accounting duties including maintenance and analysis of accounting records, monthly closing of financial records; government and private research contract billing and record keeping, preparation of accounting schedules, reports, and financial statements; preparation of journal entries and reconciliation of ledger accounts; ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and organization’s policies, procedures and contracts. May prepare federal, state and local tax returns.

About Us

The Garden is a beautiful place to work! Working mostly onsite and under general supervision, this is an exempt, full-time position (40 hours per week) reporting to the Director of Finance. The pay for this position ranges between $72,000 and $85,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Duties & Responsibilities

Manage integrated accounting system including chart of accounts for fund accounting and report formatting; Month-to-month closing and preparation of preliminary financial reports; Review Accounting Coordinator entries before posting; Make recurring journal entries; Monthly reconciliation of all asset and liability accounts, including fixed assets, investments, temporarily restricted funds, prepaid expenses and capital funds; Preparation of selected audit schedules; Ensure proper coding of accounts payable; Reconcile general ledger to federal 941 and state DE6; Prepare sales tax returns; Prepare 571L and annual welfare exemption forms; Act as back up for the Accounting Coordinator as needed

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field, with a minimum of three years’ experience that includes general accounting and monthly closing; Experience with accounting software and spreadsheets; To be flexible in order to work with the variety of government websites; To be detail oriented; Skill in systems management to ensure smooth operation of various accounting functions and to meet the demands of the organization; Skill with the Microsoft Office suite of products

Additional Information

Work with minimal supervision and a high level of confidentiality; Apply accounting concepts, practices and theories to develop solutions to problems of moderate scope and complexity; Work with a wide variety of websites that change user-interface frequently to gather and provide accounting information; Work well with others and effectively communicate accounting procedures and policies to staff; Recommend improvements in accounting procedures in all departments in order to maintain adequate financial controls (i.e. Shop inventory, public education programs, etc.), as needed; Sit for up to 2 hours at a time and using computer for lengthy periods; Stand/walk for extended periods of time.

It Would Be Nice If You Had: Knowledge of non-profit organization fund accounting; Experience working with government contracts; Passion for the environment and California native plants.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, and if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Application Instructions

Please apply on our website using this link: https://tinyurl.com/3x72kmj9