Staff Accountant

Job Title: Staff Accountant 

Reports to: Accounting Manager 

Want to play your part in protecting our local communities from the impacts of climate change? Ready to roll up your sleeves to help achieve tangible results? Want to be part of a talented, deeply committed, and national award-winning conservation organization? Then please read on! 

Sonoma Land Trust (SLT) is looking for an experienced Staff Accountant. The Staff Accountant works closely with the Accounting Manager and the Finance team for a broad range of financial, administrative and operational duties that are essential to the success of Sonoma Land Trust. The Staff Accountant plays a critical role in the accounting, payroll and grants processes and systems within Sonoma Land Trust. 

SLT serves a diverse audience with broad cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and orientations. We encourage applications from candidates who reflect and value the audiences and populations we serve. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Finance and Accounting 

• Prepare journal entries and complete accounting reconciliations
• Prepare 403b retirement plan reporting and assist in preparation of the annual 5500 tax return.
• Prepare audit worksheets for the annual independent audit, in collaboration with the other Finance staff.
• Assist with preparation of IRS 990 tax return and other filings including 1099s, sales & use tax return and census.
• Assist with other outside audits.
• Assist with budget preparation.
• Provide support and backup for other SLT finance staff.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Payroll 

• Maintain payroll system and ensure coordination with other SLT financial systems.
• Review employee timesheets to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, and compliance with SLT policies and procedures.
• Ensure employee time is applied to grants, programs, and funds in compliance with grant terms and SLT policies.
• Serve as primary payroll processer and ensure timely payment of all SLT employees.
• Record all payroll related entries in SLT financial systems and ensure appropriate payroll information is shared with SLT finance and management staff.
• Coordinate with third-party payroll provider to ensure payroll taxes are filed and paid on a timely basis, including employees’ yearend W2 forms.
• Assist employees with payroll-related questions and concerns.

Grants 

• Assist program staff in completing grant budgets and ensure grants fall within budget guidelines.
• Coordinate the setup of all awarded grants in SLT financial systems.
• Monitor grant expenditures to evaluate whether they are allowable within the terms of the grant and ensure grant funds are not over/under-spent.
• Maintain SLT grant calendar to ensure all grant billing and reporting occur in a timely manner and within the deadlines established for each grant.
• Reconcile grant accounting within SLT fund accounting system.

Essential Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in accounting, finance or related field.
• 2-3 years of accounting experience with a focus on general ledger.
• A combination of experience and education may be acceptable.
• Experience with payroll processing.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in GAAP
• Proficiency with accounting and payroll software systems and MS Excel.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify discrepancies and issues.
• Proficiency with computer applications and office equipment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment are expected when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships with co-workers, teams, grantors, vendors, and other partners.
• A passion for conservation and environmental issues.

Schedule, Salary & Benefits 

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week (non-exempt status). 

Hourly rate starting range at $38 – $40 commensurate with experience. Benefits include generous employer contributions to medical, dental and vision insurance plans. Employer contribution to retirement plan after 1 year of employment. Paid time off includes 15 paid holidays, paid vacation based on tenure and personal and parental leave in accordance with SLT policies and procedures.  

This position is located at the Sonoma Land Trust office in Santa Rosa, California. Staff are working in a hybrid model. 

About Sonoma Land Trust  

Sonoma Land Trust works in alliance with nature to conserve and restore the integrity of the land, with a focus on climate resiliency. The organization is also committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors. Since 1976, the non-profit Land Trust has protected over 60,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural and open land for future generations. Sonoma Land Trust is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and was the recipient of the 2019 Land Trust Alliance Award of Excellence. For more information, please visit the Sonoma Land Trust website. 

We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment that is representative of the communities we serve. We know that having varied perspectives leads to better outcomes to solve the complex problems of conservation, climate change and environmental justice in Sonoma County. 

And to best serve the people of our community, we are taking the actions outlined in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan.