Staff Accountant III

Position: Staff Accountant III

Reports to: Director of Business Operations

Compensation: $78,800 - $97,000

Status: Full-time exempt position

Union: Union position

Anticipated Start Date: September 2024.

Location: Hybrid/Harlem NYC-Based - Mink Building

Travel Requirements: 5% or less

Summary

BioBus seeks an experienced staff accountant to join our non-profit organization. This is a union position. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of accounting principles, particularly as they relate to non-profit organizations receiving government grants/subgrants and private foundation grants as well as earned income. This position plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with grant regulations, maintaining accurate financial records, and supporting the organization's overall financial health.

Company Information

BioBus helps K-12 and college students discover, explore, and pursue science. We focus on students excluded from the scientific community due to factors such as race, gender, economic status, and physical access. Through this work, we envision a world where all people have the opportunity to reach their full scientific potential. We’ve reached 350,000 students at more than 900 schools since 2008, primarily in NYC public and charter schools, as far away as California and more recently we have expanded to the Boston area with a team based in New England.

BioBus students connect with scientists from diverse backgrounds, learn lab and research skills, practice science communication, and take steps to become the next generation of scientists and problem-solvers, making the world better for all of us. Our students access and become part of the scientific community through introductory science labs aboard our mobile labs at their schools; after-school, weekend, and summer programs; and year-long internships. Our recent expansion in the Bronx is poised to provide a full pathway of programs for students in the Bronx.

BioBus encourages creativity and creates space for all staff to suggest new programs, new methods, and otherwise have a voice in shaping the direction of their team and the organization. We offer a casual work environment, flexible and hybrid work schedules including up to three days a week working from home, competitive benefits, and a friendly and supportive culture free from excessive hierarchy.

The Team

BioBus’s Administration Team provides essential support, equipping our teams to go out into the world and realize BioBus’s mission. The Administration Team is responsible for managing the day-to-day business operations of the organization including finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources, legal compliance, risk management, and IT. In addition to the specific duties described below, the Staff Accountant III will be invited and encouraged to participate in other team and organizational opportunities and initiatives, such as our program task forces. That work would be considered part of and not in addition to your job responsibilities.

Job Description

As a Staff Accountant III, you will play a key role in maintaining accurate financial records and supporting various accounting functions within BioBus. Reporting directly to the Director of Business Operations, you will be responsible for ensuring compliance with accounting principles, practices, and organization procedures, particularly in relation to our government grants/subgrants and private foundation grant portfolios. In addition, you will work with and actively monitor an external accounting support firm.

Responsibilities

1. Grant Management:

• Oversee financial aspects of government grants/subgrants and private foundation grants, including budgeting, reporting, and compliance.
• Ensure adherence to grant guidelines and regulations throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Work closely with Program Directors and the Development Team, to develop grant budgets and reports.
• Monitor grant expenditures and provide timely reports to stakeholders.

2. Financial Reporting:

• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements for internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts.
• Generate financial reports specific to grant requirements, including expenditure reports and reimbursement requests.

3. Compliance and Audit Support:

• Work in partnership with the Director of Business Operations, Executive Director and the outsourced accounting firm, to ensure all audit schedules and annual tax returns (e.g., Form 990) are submitted on time and in compliance with GAAP and other applicable standards and regulations.
• Maintain thorough documentation to support grant expenditures and compliance.
• Coordinate with auditors during annual audits and grant-specific audits.

4. General Accounting:

• With internal and external support, manage day-to-day, accounting tasks such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll processing.
• Reconcile expenses.
• Reconcile bank statements and maintain accurate financial records.

5. Financial Analysis and Planning:

• Conduct financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with the Director of Business Operations to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization’s financial and accounting systems, identifying areas for process improvement and efficiency gains.
• Develop and implement systems to optimize financial workflows and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. (Fifteen college credits in accounting may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.)
• 4+ years of accounting experience, preferably in a non-profit environment with private foundation grants, government grants/subgrants and other contribution income streams as well as diverse earned income streams.
• CPA certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and grant regulations.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Bill.com)
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel locally to programs across the NYC Metro area, including the five boroughs with occasional local travel to neighboring New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island and Westchester counties, up to 1 day per week, if needed.
• Willingness to travel up to 4 days per year outside the NYC Metro area, including overnight travel.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $78,800 - $97,000. If hired for this position, your salary offer will include compensation calculated based on years of relevant experience and degrees..

Compensation at BioBus is competitive, commensurate with experience, and is in alignment with internal equity. BioBus regularly conducts a thorough study of market-competitive salaries. Our goal is to ensure that pay is fair and competitive for all staff members, both considering the market and considering pay equity among staff in similar roles in the organization.