Accountant

Job Description

Accountant

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000Location: Remote. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California About the Climate Action Reserve

The Climate Action Reserve is an environmental nonprofit organization that promotes and fosters the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through credible market-based policies and solutions. A pioneer in carbon accounting, the Reserve serves as an approved Offset Project Registry (OPR) for the State of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program and plays an integral role in supporting the issuance and administration of compliance offsets. The Reserve also establishes high quality standards for offset projects in the North American voluntary carbon market and operates a transparent, publicly-accessible registry for carbon credits generated under its standards.

Drawing from its experience and expertise in GHG accounting, the Reserve launched the Climate Impact Score program to quantify and assess the climate impact of projects financed by investments and Climate Forward to foster proactive investment in future GHG reduction projects as a means to address emissions that are forecasted to occur. Additionally, the Reserve hosts the annual North American Carbon World (NACW) conference, the premier event for climate and carbon professionals to learn, discuss, and network. The Reserve is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with satellite offices around the U.S.

For more information, please visit www.climateactionreserve.org.

Position Objective:

The accountant is a key member of the Operations team responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, performing financial transactions, ensuring compliance with accounting principles and regulations, and contributing to the overall financial health of the organization. This role involves fundamental accounting tasks, reconciliation of accounts, financial analysis, and collaboration with internal departments.

Financial Transactions:

• Record financial transactions accurately and timely, including but not limited to accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger entries.  
• Verify, allocate, and post other cash receipts, cash disbursements, credit cards, journal entries, etc., to the appropriate accounts in the accounting software as needed.
• Maintain records for all financial accounting for program projects, including invoicing and data management.

Payroll

• Prepare and process bi-monthly payroll via ADP payroll system, coordinate with ADP TotalSource customer service.
• Maintain employee pay detail records.
• Prepare W2 with ADP at year end. Process 403(b) pension contributions.
• Process S-125 Flex deductions for processing and assist S-125 Flex Administration in filing annual form 5500.
• Maintain payroll records of all reimbursements, deductions, and bonuses.
• Maintain 403(b) contribution database and adjustments as necessary
• Ability to maintain records of timekeeping data and integrate that information into reports.

General Ledger and Reconciliation:

• Maintain and reconcile the general ledger accounts, including but not limited to bank accounts, investment accounts, prepaid expenses, accruals, deferrals, grants payables, fixed assets, etc.
• Perform variance analysis, identify, investigate, and rectify discrepancies or errors in financial records to ensure data integrity.
• Generate reports from the accounting software (QBO).
• Create customized Excel spreadsheets and format spreadsheets exported to Excel from the accounting system as needed or requested by Management.

Month-End and Year-End Close:

• Coordinate and assist in the month-end and year-end closing processes by preparing journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Coordinate and assist all employees in their expense reporting. 
• Review all credit card expense coding for the Credit card charges for accuracy, investigate any discrepancies, and obtain any missing receipts for the credit card charges monthly.
• Generate and save all credit card reports from the expense reporting software monthly.
• Export, enter/upload the credit card expense reports from the expense reporting software to the accounting software (QBO).

 

Accounts Payable and Receivable:

• Review and process account payable transactions, including vendor invoices and employee reimbursements, and manage payment schedules weekly.
• Notify the Team of material grant payable expenses which require the transfer of restricted funds.
• Obtain W-9 for all new vendors. Maintain electronic copies of all W-9s, vendor files, and paid bills accurately and promptly.
• Monitor accounts receivable balances, follow up on overdue invoices, generate invoices, and support collections efforts.
• Monitor pledges receivable balances and work in collaboration with the department colleagues to follow up on overdue invoices and support collection efforts.
• Prepare monthly invoices for government grants agencies and contracts; Grants allocations and management; financial reporting if required.
• Monitor cash flows in the bank account and ensure an appropriate balance is maintained daily.
• Monitor and track all invoices and pledges against grants & contracts received
• Maintain database of all restricted funds and reporting requirements
• Track Carbon Credit Issuance numbers and create correlating revenue invoices with temporary invoice numbers to later reconcile with incoming credit payments

Financial Analysis and Annual Audit Reporting:

• Assist in the preparation and review of quarterly and annual financial statements.
• Assist in the preparation of management reports and presentations for Board meetings.
• Assist in basic financial analysis, such as reviewing trends, comparing budgeted vs. actual figures, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with the Team to assist in the budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Support the annual external audit process by preparing schedules, providing documentation, and addressing auditor inquiries.
• Maintain fixed assets costs additions and depreciations schedule report; prepare fixed assets GL account reconciliations, roll-forward reports and schedules as part of annual financial audit
• Complete annual financial statement audit and preparing the financial statements, IRS 990 tax return
• Prepare and responsible for leading the annual budget development, cash flow forecasting, drafting budgets for funding proposals as necessary and tracking events and contract revenues and expenses.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

Other Responsibilities:

• Review and monitor all state filings and registrations completed by the third-party agency for accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure compliance with accounting principles, regulations, and internal policies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements in accounting procedures and contribute to streamlining financial operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate and complete financial data and to provide financial expertise for decision-making.

Competencies:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial recordkeeping.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and prioritize tasks as well as work in a team environment and collaborate effectively.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive financial information.

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Qualifications:

• Degree in Accounting or related field, or a 6-year work equivalency.
• Expert level of Microsoft Excel and ability to design both simple and complex spreadsheets.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks Online.
• QuickBooks Online or equivalent accounting software certification a plus.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards.
• Experience with audits and financial compliance.
• Experience developing and managing a budget of at least $4 million.
• Familiarity with all Microsoft Suite Applications.
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting practices a plus.
• Interest in the Environmental or Non-Profit Fields a plus.
• Fluency in English required, fluency in Spanish a plus

Salary and Benefits

The Climate Action Reserve offers competitive compensation including a rich and comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement contribution, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and generous paid time off including paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The Reserve also offers a telecommunications stipend and flexible work options.

The Climate Action Reserve is an equal opportunity employer. The Reserve does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnic origin, or any other classification protected by law, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.

The Climate Action Reserve respects and celebrates all forms of diversity in its personnel, programs, and procedures. The Reserve believes it is critical to foster a welcoming and inclusive space for staff, to support diversity and equitable opportunities in the environmental field, and to operate programs that are culturally responsive and benefit all communities.