Senior Accountant / Operations Specialist

Company Description

The Ember Alliance (TEA) is a national nonprofit organization of wildland fire practitioners, planners, researchers, analysts, and instructors. The mission of TEA is to restore the relationship between communities and fire on the landscape. TEA is a just and transparent workplace that strives to uphold company values of integrity, innovation, and respect. We are dedicated to a workplace that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, supports work/life balance, and encourages growth. Learn more about TEA at https://emberalliance.org/.

Job Description

Position Description Overview:

The Senior Accountant/ Operations Manager supports The Ember Alliance's financial operations by performing a broad range of nonprofit accounting, reconciliation, reporting, and compliance activities. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this position helps maintain accurate financial records, supports timely month-end and year-end close processes, assists with grant and contract accounting, and provides practical accounting support to staff and program teams. The Senior Accountant/ Operations Manager plays an important role in strengthening internal controls, improving financial processes, and supporting responsible stewardship of nonprofit resources.

This position is 35-40 hours per week.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Accounting and Finance

• Process accounts payable, vendor payments, employee reimbursements, expense reports, and credit card transactions in accordance with organizational policies.
• Manage accounts receivable activities, including customer and funder invoicing, deposit records, payment application, collections follow-up, and revenue documentation.
• Complete monthly bank, credit card, balance sheet, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other general ledger reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate accounting records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), nonprofit accounting practices, and organizational procedures.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes by preparing schedules, reviewing account activity, identifying variances, and resolving discrepancies.
• Prepare and post routine journal entries, accruals, allocations, and reclassifications with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Monitor transactions for accuracy, appropriate coding, policy compliance, allowable costs, and adequate documentation.
• Support grant and contract accounting, including expense tracking, budget-to-actual review, and invoice preparation.
• Support the CFO with timely and accurate payroll processing and compensation.
• Assist the CFO with financial reporting, budget monitoring, cash flow support, audit schedules, and management reports for internal decision-making.
• Support annual audit preparation, SEFA, and NICRA by compiling schedules, responding to document requests, and helping resolve auditor questions.
• Maintain job codes (Ramp, Rippling, Quickbooks, etc.)

Operations and Administration

• Manage benefits administration processes, assist with employee onboarding and offboarding administration.
• Monitoring organizational Slack channels and coordinate, prioritize, and follow up on operational, accounting, payroll, and HR requests to ensure timely resolution.
• Coordinate with program managers and staff to answer accounting questions, obtain coding details, resolve documentation gaps, and support timely financial processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, forms, checklists, reconciliations, and other finance department procedures.
• Protect confidential financial, employee, vendor, and organizational information.
• Support other finance, accounting, compliance, and administrative projects as assigned.
• Manage organizational subscriptions such as the virtual mailbox.

Pay and Benefits:

Pay: $32.00/hr, 35-40-hour work week, annualized as $58,240 (35 hours/week) to $66,560 (40 hours/week). Potential for limited overtime based on organizational needs.

Benefits: Paid leave and paid holiday benefits are provided. Employer-sponsored health and dental care coverage is available upon employment. Employer-matched retirement plan is available 3 months after hire.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably including full-cycle accounting responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of GAAP and standard accounting processes, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks and Ramp.
• Proficiency Microsoft 365 applications; intermediate to advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and problem-solve.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to produce accurate, well-documented work.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with financial and employee information.
• Commitment to accountability, process improvement, collaboration, and mission-driven nonprofit work.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working in a nonprofit, grant-funded, consulting, natural resources, conservation, or mission-driven organization.
• Experience with grant accounting, restricted funds, federal awards, cooperative agreements, or contract billing.
• Familiarity with Uniform Guidance, allowable cost principles, indirect cost allocation, or funder compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting annual audits, Form 990 preparation, or nonprofit financial reporting processes.
• Experience reviewing labor distribution, payroll allocations, employee reimbursements, and credit card expense documentation.
• Ability to help translate accounting requirements into clear procedures, checklists, and staff guidance.

Additional Information

Schedule Requirements:

The average work week is 35-40 hours. The Ember Alliance is based in Fort Collins, CO but we have employees across the United States in different time zones; the daily schedule allows for flexibility, but needs to meet core working hours as agreed upon with the leadership team.

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support time-sensitive organizational needs. Limited travel may be required for leadership meetings (e.g. strategic planning sessions).

Work Location:

Remote, US-based.

Other Requirements:

Must be 18 years of age or older, have a current and valid US driver's license, and be legally eligible to work in the US. Employees are required to live in the US. Employees are required to complete a background check and motor vehicle record check prior to employment. Employees are required to hold a company credit card and may be subjected to a credit check. Failure to pass any of these checks does not automatically disqualify you from employment.

Paid leave and paid holiday benefits are provided. Employer-sponsored health and dental care coverage is available upon employment. Employer-matched retirement plan is available 3 months after hire.

English Required