Staff Accountant

About the Organization

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) is a nonprofit organization with an annual budget of ~$2.4 million whose mission is to connect ornithologists, science, and bird conservation by supporting science that advances the understanding and conservation of birds, promoting broad access to ornithological science, supporting ornithologists throughout their career paths, and fostering a welcoming, diverse, supportive, and dynamic ornithological community.  With 3,000 members across the globe, we provide a broad array of research and travel grants, support a dynamic annual meeting, produce two scientific journals, and provide additional professional development and opportunities to highlight member research.

We are seeking a full-time Staff Accountant to join our friendly, dedicated, and proactive team and play an important role in maintaining the AOS’s financial health and supporting our growing grantmaking operations.

About the Position

The Staff Accountant is responsible for a range of day-to-day and monthly accounting functions and will play a key role in maintaining accurate, timely, and well-documented financial records. This is a hands-on position for an experienced accounting professional who understands core accounting principles and can work independently. 

Key Responsibilities

General Ledger and Accounting Operations

Support day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping tasks, ensuring accounting and bookkeeping activities follow generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and accrual accounting. This includes:

• Maintain accurate and timely accounting records in Sage Intacct.

• Perform day-to-day general ledger activities and ensure transactions are properly recorded and coded; monitor outstanding items and follow up as necessary to ensure timely resolution.

• Support accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including invoice review, payment processing, deposits, and receivables tracking.

• Review transactions for appropriate coding, supporting documentation, and compliance with organizational policies; maintain appropriate documentation and audit trails for accounting transactions.

• Reconcile bank, credit card, investment, and other balance sheet accounts on a regular basis.

• Assist with maintaining accurate records for restricted and unrestricted funds.

Month-End and Year-End Close

• Perform assigned month-end closing procedures accurately and on schedule.

• Prepare account reconciliations and supporting schedules for monthly close.

• Review general ledger activity and identify errors, omissions, or unusual transactions.

• Prepare and post accruals, allocations, and other appropriate adjusting entries.

• Assist with maintaining schedules for prepaid expenses, fixed assets, deferred revenue, and other balance sheet accounts, as applicable.

• Support year-end closing and audit preparation.

• Prepare schedules and documentation requested by the organization's auditors, tax preparers, or other financial professionals.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare routine monthly and periodic financial reports and supporting schedules.

• Assist with preparation of budget-to-actual reports and analysis.

• Research and explain routine variances and discrepancies.

• Assist with financial reporting related to programs, grants, and restricted funds.

• Maintain clear and organized supporting documentation for financial reports.

Grant Coordination

• Provide overall guidance and direction to grantees about grant reporting and payment requirements

• Serve as the primary administrative point of contact for grantees, including providing one-on-one support to travel and research grantees throughout the grant cycle

• Support the financial administration of the organization's grantmaking activities, 

• Apply organizational policies and internal controls consistently while maintaining positive and respectful relationships with grantees and looking for solutions to support grantees.

• Recognize issues that require additional review and escalate them appropriately.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, documentation, and efficiency.

• Maintain clear accounting procedures and process documentation.

• Participate in implementation of system or process improvements.

• Serve as a knowledgeable resource to staff, external accounting partners, and grantees regarding routine financial processes and system questions.

Remote Collaboration

The AOS is a fully virtual organization.  The Staff Accountant will be expected to both work effectively as part of a virtual team, and to work independently after an initial period of training.  

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.

• Solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and fundamental accounting practices.

• Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, journal entries, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.

• Experience supporting month-end and year-end close processes.

• Experience preparing routine financial reports and supporting schedules.

• Strong attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment to accuracy.

• Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies, and follow issues through to resolution.

• Experience with accounting or financial management software.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal skills, tactfulness and demonstrated professionalism in the workplace.

• Able to maintain strict confidentiality of highly privileged information.

• Ability to travel approximately 2-3 times a year.

Other Experience Preferred

• Sage Intacct and Bill.com.

• Working in a nonprofit, foundation, association, or other mission-driven organization.

• Grant accounting, grant payments, or grant administration.

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $72,000-$85,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The AOS also offers a competitive nonprofit benefits package, which includes a health care stipend, a home office allowance, paid time off, paid holidays, professional development opportunities, and a retirement match contribution. 

● Due to legal and registration requirements, we are unable to hire employees in California or New York. 

TO APPLY:

Please include a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three references with your application.  We will ask your permission before reaching out to any of your references.  If you use AI to develop your resume and/or cover letter, please disclose where and how you used AI.

We will begin reviewing applications on September 23, 2026 and will continue to review applications until this role is filled.