Staff Accountant Hybrid — Boston (Newton Centre, MA)

Title: Staff Accountant

Organization: Friends of the Arava Institute (FAI)

Location: Newton Center, MA (Hybrid—Newton Center, 1+ days on‑site) | ET hours | Limited travel

Compensation: $60,000–$68,000 | Full-time | Exempt

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 reporting, compliant tracking of donor‑restricted funds, and strong budgeting/forecasting that enables program growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the general ledger, 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 3+ days/week

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

• Health, dental, vision; 401(k) with employer match; short‑/long‑term disability; life insurance
• Up to 48 hours of Sick & Safe Time and a generous open vacation policy
• Commitment to professional development and a supportive, mission-driven culture

English: Required — fluent in written, spoken, and reading

Hebrew/Arabic: Bonus