Staff Accountant Hybrid — Boston (Newton Centre, MA)

Staff Accountant (Nonprofit, Hybrid – Greater Boston)

Friends of the Arava Institute (FAI)

Newton Centre, MA (Hybrid—1+ days on-site) | ET hours | Limited travel

$60,000–$68,000 | Full-time | Exempt

Join Friends of the Arava Institute as a Staff Accountant supporting the financial operations of a mission-driven, international nonprofit.

Help build bridges through environmental cooperation.

At Friends of the Arava Institute (FAI), every accurate reconciliation and compliant journal entry advances a simple but powerful idea: Nature knows no borders. We support the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, where students and researchers from Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and around the world come together to learn, collaborate, and innovate on solutions to shared environmental challenges. Your work ensures that donor resources are stewarded with integrity—so students can focus on building a more sustainable and peaceful future.

The Opportunity

We seek a Staff Accountant who is energized by the intersection of finance, environmental sustainability, and cross-border cooperation. You’ll lead day-to-day accounting and partner closely with our Director of Finance & Administration to deliver timely financial reporting, general ledger accuracy, and compliant tracking of donor-restricted funds and strong budgeting/forecasting that enables program growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure accurate financial reporting, prepare monthly financial statements, and complete bank/investment reconciliations
• Manage A/P, credit card reconciliations, and donor‑restricted funds documentation (compliance with U.S. regulations)
• Reconcile DonorPerfect and other CRM data to the G/L; trace transactions for donor inquiries
• Support budget development for departments, programs, and events; complete closeouts and variance reviews
• Implement process improvements that strengthen transparency, controls, and efficiency
• Schedule & Travel: Core hours in ET; occasional early meetings with Israel‑based colleagues; ~1 weekend/year for the FAI Board Meeting

What You Bring

• 3+ years of nonprofit accounting experience (G/L, reconciliations, financial reporting)
• Proficiency in QuickBooks Online and Excel (pivot tables, lookups)
• Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Detail-oriented, ethical, and collaborative communicator
• U.S. work authorization; ability to be on‑site in Newton Centre 1+ days/week

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Take pride in producing clean, accurate financial work
• Are organized and comfortable managing multiple priorities independently
• Are motivated by supporting mission-driven work behind the scenes

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary $60,000–$68,000, commensurate with experience
• Health, dental, vision; 401(k) with employer match; short‑/long‑term disability; life insurance
• Commitment to professional development and a supportive, mission-driven culture

For more information see: Staff Accountant Job Description

FAI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with organizational match
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance

English: Full professional fluency (written and spoken) required

Hebrew and/or Arabic: Preferred, given the organization’s regional focus