Accounting Associate

Cascadia Consulting Group is a majority women-owned, private environmental consulting firm with over 30 years of experience developing and implementing innovative, community-led solutions to today’s environmental challenges. Cascadia works with public and private-sector clients to advance reduction and circularity, climate change mitigation and resilience, pollution prevention, transportation demand management, ecosystem recovery, and natural resources management initiatives. The Cascadia team brings both established expertise and creative thinking to research and analysis, strategic planning, program design and implementation, outreach, social marketing and behavior change, and evaluation roles. We serve clients throughout North America from our offices in Seattle (WA) and Oakland (CA), and remote locations nationwide.

At Cascadia, we strive to create an equitable and inclusive environment at all levels of the organization. Having staff and partnerships that reflect the diverse communities we serve empowers us to shape innovative and effective solutions together with those most impacted by social, human, and environmental health challenges.

Position Overview:

Cascadia’s Finance team is seeking a detail-oriented Accounting Associate to support the routine functions of the accounting process, with a primary focus on client invoicing, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, a basic understanding of accounting principles, and the ability to collaborate effectively across project teams. Key job responsibilities include:

• • Generating monthly client invoices in collaboration with project managers, ensuring accuracy with contractual terms and client requests.
  • Processing vendor invoices and ensuring timely and accurate recording in compliance with company policies.
  • Applying daily cash receipts (e.g., ACH, wire, checks) and reconciling payments to client accounts.
  • Monitoring accounts receivable aging and performing soft collections, such as email reminders to project managers on overdue balances or payment discrepancies.
  • Communicating with clients, vendors, and subcontractors regarding billing status and payment inquiries.
  • Maintaining accurate vendor information in the accounting system, including 1099 reporting requirements.
  • Assisting with month-end closing activities including reconciliations and accruals.
  • Preparing and submitting monthly B&O tax filings.
  • Accurately maintaining project files and documentation in accordance with company policy and contractual requirements.
  • Assisting in the ongoing renewal of business licenses.
  • Preparing ad hoc reports and project analysis as requested by Cascadia project managers.

Qualifications:

• • A four-year degree in accounting, business, finance, or similar field; or related professional experience
  • 3+ years of relevant professional experience in an accounting-related position, preferably in a project-based professional services industry.
  • Understanding and practical application of accounting principles.
  • Ability to track, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
  • Experience managing billing of 100+ active contracts while ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with client requirements.
  • Experience in using and knowledge of ERP systems.
  • Experience with Deltek Vision or Vantagepoint is a plus.
  • The ability to work independently and collaboratively on a team.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt to diverse styles and perspectives.
  • Basic to intermediate experience—and a willingness to expand skills—in producing documents with Microsoft Office 365 programs, such as SharePoint, Word, Excel, and/or Adobe products.
  • Understanding of, and commitment to, Cascadia’s mission to “inspire and empower communities everywhere to protect and restore our world" in an equitable and inclusive way.

Commitment to thinking critically about your own cultural lens and being able to communicate respectfully and effectively with people from a diversity of backgrounds. We encourage you to apply if you think you'll be successful in this job. The experience and education typical to demonstrate this level of ability is a four-year degree in accounting or a related field and at least 3 years of relevant experience with progressive responsibility.

Total Compensation:

The anticipated hourly rate range for this position is $26.54 - $32.96 per hour. Initial placement for this position will fall between the minimum and the midpoint of the pay grade dependent on experience, demonstrated skills and abilities during the selection process, and potential for growth within the role. Hourly rates are determined based on experience and market competitiveness within the environmental sector.

This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position, based in our Seattle office. The position must be available for 20% in-office work (1 day/week) in the Greater Seattle area but may otherwise work remotely. Cascadia has a culture that encourages in-person engagement with colleagues while supporting remote flexibility.

Cascadia is also proud to offer a generous benefits package, including health insurance for employees at or above 60% full-time equivalent, 401(k) with an employer match, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, transportation subsidies, flexible spending accounts, generous paid time off (per annum: 3 weeks’ vacation, 10 holidays, 9 sick days pro-rated for FTE equivalency), professional development opportunities, sabbaticals, and paid parental leave. Cascadia also closes between December 25th and January 1st for a company-wide, paid winter break. Employees also enjoy access to exclusive discounts on pet insurance, travel, entertainment, restaurants, and more.