Contract accountant for news nonprofit

Open Campus is a nonprofit news organization that ensures communities have the independent information they need about higher education. By placing expert reporters in local newsrooms across the country, we help people understand and influence the institutions that shape their future opportunities.

Project Overview

Open Campus is soliciting proposals from independent contractors to provide comprehensive accounting services on a contractual basis. We seek a partner with deep nonprofit expertise to maintain our financial records, prepare reports, and ensure regulatory compliance. The selected provider will work remotely and collaborate closely with our operations manager to support our mission-driven work.

Scope of Services

We are looking for the following accounting services:

Core Financial Operations

• Maintain accurate books including accounts payable and receivable, payroll processing, and daily financial entries
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports
• Perform bank and credit card account reconciliations
• Execute month-end and year-end close processes
• Monitor accounting data and produce comprehensive financial reports
• Establish and maintain fiscal documentation systems for all transactions

Compliance and Regulatory Support

• Ensure adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Assist with tax preparation and coordinate audit support
• Maintain internal financial controls and procedures
• Support financial system improvements and implementation initiatives

Proficiency in the following nonprofit-specific areas is required:

Fund Accounting and Grant Management

• Experience tracking and reporting on separate fund categories (restricted, temporarily restricted, unrestricted)
• Proven ability to maintain multiple funding streams with varying purposes and restrictions
• Expertise in tracking grant expenditures against approved budgets
• Knowledge of grant reporting requirements, deadlines, and cost allocation methodologies

Tax-Exempt Organization Compliance

• Demonstrated experience with Form 990 preparation and filing
• Understanding of tax-exempt status maintenance requirements
• Familiarity with unrelated business income tax (UBIT) regulations and payroll compliance

Specialized Nonprofit Reporting

• Capability to produce program-based financial statements beyond traditional departmental reporting
• Skills in functional expense allocation across program services, administrative functions, and fundraising activities
• Experience creating donor-specific financial reports and managing pledge accounting
• Knowledge of donor restriction tracking and restriction release processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Proficiency in accounting software, specifically QuickBooks Online
• Comprehensive knowledge of GAAP principles
• Demonstrated experience with grant accounting and reporting
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency
• Strong analytical and organizational capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Bill.com and other QuickBooks integrations

Proposal Requirements

Interested parties should submit proposals including:

1. Individual resume
2. References: Two client references from nonprofit organizations
3. Hourly rate
4. Timeline and Availability

Engagement Details

• Service Level: Approximately 25 hours per week on an ongoing basis
• Work Arrangement: Fully remote
• Reporting Structure: Direct collaboration with Operations Manager
• Contract Type: Professional services agreement with renewable terms

Submission Guidelines

Please submit applications to maria@opencampus.org by July 16, 2025

For questions regarding this contract, please contact Maria Archangelo at maria@opencampus.org

Open Campus is an equal opportunity organization committed to diversity and inclusion in all business relationships.