Staff Accountant

Title: Staff Accountant

Department: Finance

Reports to: Controller

Status: Exempt, FT

Schedule: Monday - Friday (Hybrid Schedule)

Compensation: $84,000 / annually

About Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

For three decades, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts has served as a dynamic hub for contemporary art in San Francisco's downtown community, showcasing innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art across various disciplines, including visual arts, performing arts, film and more.

YBCA brings together artists, audiences, and perspectives under one roof. We believe it’s this synergy that makes the city what it is today and will be for years to come–a hotbed for new and emerging creativity—a place where the diversity of the Bay Area comes to life and its artists, people, and ideas thrive.

YBCA aims to be a catalyst for conversations around critical social and cultural questions, using art as a medium to engage audiences in meaningful dialogues. To do this, YBCA is committed to supporting artists who push boundaries and challenge conventions, encouraging experimentation and innovation in the arts.

YBCA’s Mission Vision, and Values

Mission: To be a gathering space for creative expression that fosters meaningful connection for all.

Vision: To be a catalyst of creative exploration, expression and innovation that empowers artists, inspires community and drives lasting social change.

Values:

• Belonging: We believe the arts are for everyone.
• Inclusive Collaboration: We are stronger together.
• Optimism: Art has the power to inspire change.
• Curiosity: We believe that learning is at the center of all artistic expression.

About the Role

The Staff Accountant plays a key role on YBCA’s Finance team, performing complex accounting work and ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations that support YBCA’s mission. Reporting to the Controller, this role manages core accounting functions including general ledger maintenance, reconciliations, accounts payable, grant reporting, and audit preparation, while helping strengthen internal controls and improve processes. The Staff Accountant works closely with colleagues across the organization, translating financial information for both finance and non-finance staff, and contributes to budgeting and compliance efforts. This role is well-suited for a detail-oriented accounting professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is excited to apply their skills in support of a dynamic arts organization

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist in managing and maintaining accounting ledgers and reporting systems, ensuring accuracy and full compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in maintaining accounting policies, internal controls, and asset safeguards.
• Assist in managing monthly, quarterly, and annual close, communicating, and maintaining deadlines.
• Assist in coordinating the annual financial audit, which includes work paper preparation, liaison with auditors, and understanding of programmatic and economic requirements.
• Partners with the Controller to improve existing accounting processes and systems.
• Oversee financial aspects of grants, subgrants, and contractor agreements, ensuring expenditures align with contract terms and regulatory requirements. Prepare reports and collaborate with teams to resolve issues.
• Administer accounts payable Systems including Bill.com; ACH payments and checks;
• Works with Controller in preparing general ledger support and backup documentation for annual audits.
• Collaborates with Controller and other team members to set up and maintain Fixed Assets.
• Work with the Controller and Development team to create grant budgets and reporting back to funders.
• Work with the Controller to create credit card policies; monitor credit card activity and timely reconciliations.
• Work with the Chief Financial Officer and Controller to assist in creating and maintaining annual budgets by department and for the overall agency.
• Manage and reconcile petty cash and cash receipts.
• Process accounts payable invoices ensuring timely payments to vendors
• Maintain AP aging and provide weekly updates to Controller
• Manage 1099 reporting, board of equalization reporting and any other city and/or state reporting requirements.

Qualifications, Education, Training, and Certifications

• Minimum of 4 years of accounting experience or combination of a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration and a minimum of 2 years’ relevant finance and accounting experience.
• Proficiency in accounting and reporting software including Sage Intacct, bill.com, Salesforce, as well as Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Experience operating in an environment with constant changes and tight deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), general ledger accounting, cost accounting, financial systems and internal control methodology.
• Committed to collaboration, teamwork, and accountability to oneself and others.
• Committed to building positive working business relationships with all agency stakeholders across levels, roles, and functions.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal form.
• Ability and desire to translate financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance team members.

Who Should Apply?

Research shows that candidates from groups closest to the harms of institutional racism and inequality often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the listed qualifications; we believe that no one meets 100% of the qualifications. We are less concerned about whether you’ve done everything within a particular job description and are more interested in cultivating a pool of candidates who want to join a connected, mission-driven, hard-working team.

Ultimately, we are seeking applicants who have a blend – in some way – of the following:

• Possesses a detailed understanding of fund accounting concepts and practices.
• Has strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with the annual audit by preparing schedules, gathering documentation and liaising with auditors
• Is extremely detail oriented and ensures accuracy in all aspects of work; has strong customer service orientation.
• Demonstrate an openness to feedback and a commitment to learning and improving.
• Demonstrated proficiency in leveraging various technologies to enhance operational efficiency and achieve strategic objectives.
• Embraces change and ambiguity with a positive attitude. Willing to adapt to new situations, challenges, and information. Resilient in handling complex situations and environments.

If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $84,000 annually, based on full-time hours, and includes a competitive benefits package.

Benefits include PTO, Holiday Pay, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Life and AD&D Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Employee Assistance Program, Travel Assistance, paid time off to volunteer, and ability to participate in the 403(b) Retirement Plan with match.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is committed to diversity in its programming and in creating a work culture and environment that is reflective of San Francisco Bay Area demography. The Center encourages and actively recruits applicants representing dimensions of difference that include — but are not limited to — age, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender or political affiliation.

YBCA will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

Accommodations

YBCA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact accommodations@ybca.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request”.

Health and Safety

At YBCA, we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our community. Our current COVID-19 health and safety protocols meet or exceed local, state, and federal public health requirements.

All initial interviews will be conducted remotely via phone or video conference. Please note that this position may perform some work remotely and on site responsibilities.

Application Status

Thank you for your interest in joining the YBCA team! After you apply, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your resume. Our recruiting team will review your application and reach out if your experience matches an open role.

We also invite you to upload your resume and join the YBCA Talent Community to stay connected and be considered for future opportunities as they become available. We wish you the best of luck in your job search!

Agencies and Recruiting Firms: Please note that we will only review applications submitted directly by candidates and do not accept resumes or pay fees to third parties. Any unsolicited resumes received will be considered the property of YBCA

Benefits include PTO, Holiday Pay, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Life and AD&D Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Employee Assistance Program, Travel Assistance, paid time off to volunteer, and ability to participate in the 403(b) Retirement Plan with match.