Senior Staff Accountant

Organization Summary

Buck Institute for Education, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (dba PBLWorks) headquartered in Novato, California, is the industry leader in providing professional development, products, and resources related to Project Based Learning (PBL). PBLWorks creates, collects, and shares high-quality PBL tools and resources with K-12 teachers and leaders across the country. At PBLWorks, our vision is for all students — no matter where they live or what their background — to have access to quality PBL instruction to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life. PBLWorks is deeply committed to racial equity for all students. Please visit our website for more information on our Racial Equity Imperative.

Position Summary

PBLWorks is poised for its next phase of growth, innovation, and impact. Our Strategic Plan 2024–2028 expands our focus from professional learning to support teachers in designing PBL units to the development of new products and redesigned services that enable all teachers to implement PBL by creating curriculum units that teachers can adapt and the creation of a digital platform that teachers can access from anywhere at any time. This role, along with the rest of the team, will allow us to fulfill our mission to build the capacity of teachers and school systems to design and facilitate high-quality Project Based Learning.

The Senior Staff Accountant provides a broad range of accounting support in various critical areas, including AP, AR, bookkeeping, and payroll. This position is ideal for a collaborative, driven, and detail-oriented professional looking to provide excellent service to a high-impact organization during a period of growth.

Key Responsibilities

The Staff Accountant will provide:

• Day-to-day financial bookkeeping and account reconciliation
  • General revenue recognition support
  • Manage the weekly processing of deposits
  • Book and reconcile investment activity
  • Manage the tracking and reporting of the organization’s temporarily restricted funds and administer timely releases; provide grant reporting for funders as needed
  • Work with AR staff to ensure all revenue is posted to the GL accurately and in accordance with GAAP
  • Maintain and update fixed assets
  • Support with monthly processing of corporate credit card activity
  • Ensure adherence to regulations, reporting requirements, and compliance filings
  • Support month and year-end close process
  • Support the annual audit and tax process
  • Consistently analyze financial data and prepare financial reports in an accurate and timely manner
• Cash management
  • Post journal entries ensuring proper coding and classification, including payroll monthly and as needed
  • Daily review of cash position and execution of cash transfers
  • Provide final approval of Expensify (reimbursements) reports
  • Review and approve Bill.com transactions to ensure coding is aligned with budget and GAAP
• General operational support to the accounting team
  • Maintain accounting system
  • Administer banking information
  • System and process improvement
  • Support with updating policies and procedures
  • Mentor and coach accounting staff
  • Serve as payroll backup
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will bring this experience to the role:

• A 4-year college degree or equivalent years of experience.
• A minimum of 4 years of hands-on and related experience in an accounting role.
• Experience supporting a broad range of accounting functions in a non-profit organization with a budget exceeding $10M. Earned revenue experience required; subscription-based products experience a plus

The successful candidate will possess these skills and abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
• Exceptional organization and project management skills with acute attention to detail.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Proficient using computers and software such as Google suite, Microsoft Office suite (specifically Excel and Word), Zoom, Slack, SalesForce, and other collaboration tools.
• Comfortable using financial systems and tools. Experience with Bill.com, Concur, Expensify, and Intaact is a plus, but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to follow instructions, incorporate feedback, and a strong desire to develop new skills.
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and high level of flexibility.
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Strong ability to manage up and operate with considerable independence to effectively establish priorities and work effectively under time constraints.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make quick, sound decisions.

The successful candidate will reflect these attributes:

• Strong work ethic, a passion for PBLWorks' mission, and a commitment to working collaboratively with a management team of senior professionals.
• Passionate about addressing racial equity in the workplace and in education.
• Integrity with a positive, solutions-oriented attitude.
• Act as a culture carrier by operating in a way that aligns with the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Operate in a transparent way and be a team player who can work effectively with peers within a fast-paced, collegial work environment.
• The ability to build trust quickly within a hybrid work environment.

Reporting & Relationships

The Senior Staff Accountant reports to the Controller and works closely with every accounting team member to support internal teams.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Location

This position is remote and may be based anywhere within the U.S.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position with full health benefits (including medical, dental, and vision), life and disability insurance, and retirement benefits. PBLWorks offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, a generous benefits package including 403(b) contribution of 6-12%, and professional development opportunities.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $90,000 depending on experience.

Other Requirements

As a company, we celebrate and embrace diversity. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in every hiring process. PBLWorks is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act).

PBLWorks participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once a newly hired employee has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.