Staff Accountant

Description

Staff Accountant

Department: Finance   

Supervisor: Vice President of Finance & Operations

Supervises: N/A

FLSA Salary Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Revision Date: July 2025

Availability: Primary schedule of standard business hours with occasional evening and weekend availability required to support the department and organizational needs.

Position Summary: 

The Staff Accountant supports the finance team by performing day-to-day accounting tasks, including accounts payable/receivable, general ledger entries, and financial monitoring. This role assists in ensuring the accuracy of financial records and supports the monthly and annual closing processes.

The Staff Accountant assists the Financial Accountant in maintaining accurate financial records that track the organization's assets, liabilities, profit and loss, and tax liabilities. Responsibilities include assisting with reconciliations, adjusting journal entries, supporting grant and funding compliance reporting, and participating in audit preparation.

Essential Functions:

• Process accounts payable and receivable transactions and prepare and post journal entries.
• Review and approve cash disbursements to ensure proper authorization and posting.
• Assist the finance team with bank, credit card, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Monitor activity within disbursement, sales, and other financial accounts to support reconciliation efforts.
• Maintain and update general ledger entries and supporting schedules.
• Verify the payment of invoices associated with accounts payable and ensure payments are charged to the appropriate accounts.
• Identify opportunities for improvements in internal processes, working effectively to reduce or eliminate recurring issues. 
• Support internal and external audits by gathering necessary documentation and responding to information requests.
• Maintain awareness of federal, state, and local regulations, monitor changes, and communicate potential impacts to leadership.
• Monitor compliance with internal policies, procedures, and GAAP standards; escalate discrepancies or concerns to the VP of Finance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting with a minimum of 1 year accounting experience in accounts payable and receivable or an equivalent combination thereof. Understanding of and the ability to adhere to generally accepted accounting principles. QuickBooks experience or similar accounting software programs. Technology savvy with high comfort level utilizing the Microsoft Office suite of products, particularly Excel. 

Success Factors:

• Alignment to the organization’s core values of embracing curiosity, collaborating with compassion, exemplifying expertise, look forward and take time to celebrate. 
• Highly analytical, organized, and adept at problem-solving, which support and enable sound decision making. 
• Ability to analyze and plan at both strategic and tactical levels.
• Thrives on converting data to actionable information. 
• A self-motivated team player who is capable of providing leadership through initiative and by example.
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve goals for themselves and support the success of their team.
• Possesses an interest and appreciation for the mission of the Huntsville Botanical Garden.  

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous professional work in a non-profit environment working with fund accounting and restricted funds is preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physical Demands: This position is required to frequently communicate with people internal and external to the Garden with frequent periods of sedentary work in the office. Occasionally requires the ability to lift up to 15 lbs., and traverse the Garden over uneven terrain.  
• Work Environment: Frequently, works in office. Occasionally required to work in an outdoor environment subject to all weather conditions and must traverse varied and uneven terrain.
• Equipment: Continuous use of a computer, occasional use of projection or AV equipment for presentations/training.

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