Staff Accountant

People Architects is proud to partner with The Cleveland Museum of Natural History on the search for a Staff Accountant.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History founded in 1920, is located in the heart of University Circle, five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. For more than a century, the Museum has inspired visitors to connect with the wonders of science and nature. Today, we continue that legacy—and remain committed to sharing our resources to promote a healthy future for both humans and the planet.  

As Ohio’s largest natural history museum, we use our vast collections and state-of-the-art facilities to contribute to scientific understanding worldwide. Our scientists conduct research across a variety of disciplines, making groundbreaking discoveries about early human ancestors, ancient Ohio, animal and plant life around the world, and more. We steward more than 12,500 acres of wild habitats through our Natural Areas Program, working to protect the environment of northern Ohio and the diverse species that call it home.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Staff Accountant contributes to the timely and accurate processing of the routine transactions of the Museum Finance Office, contributes to special projects and supports efforts to prepare for the Museum’s key financial compliance functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation)

• Duties include Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll Entry, Reconciling of Bank, Credit Card and Intercompany Accounts and the Preparation of Journal Entries. 
• Prepares/maintains work papers for month-end close and annual financial audit.
• Supports the Director of Finance and other senior leadership by preparing financial materials and forecasts for internal management meetings.
• Controls expenses by receiving, processing, verifying and reconciling invoices. Processes vendor payments and W-9 verification for new vendors.
• Researches and reconciles problems that vendors or purchasing agents have with obtaining payment for bills.
• Works directly with Director of Finance and Finance Manager to provide financial analysis and modeling to support executive decision-making related to Museum operations, workforce planning, compensation structures, employee benefits, and organizational design.
• Assist with preparation of operational budget annually, including but not limited to budgets associated with Museum operations, labor relations, and special projects. 
• Communicate with employees regarding questions about budgets, accounts, procedures and processes.
• Assists in evaluating the financial impact of proposed operational changes affecting programmatic decisions, staffing levels, and workforce utilization. 
• Maintain the Fixed Asset and associated depreciation schedules and insure proper recording of new purchases and disposals within the capital expense policy.
• Performs other duties as required by the Finance Manager.

Education or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, or three (3) to five (5) years of accounting experience. 
• Knowledge of enterprise financial-management software.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office products to include Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Familiarity with cloud-based collaborative applications such as Adobe, Teams, Zoom, Outlook and related programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of writing clearly and informatively with a high level of sophistication and varies writing styles to meet the needs of internal and external customers.

Job Behavior Factors

Communication:

• Able to use active listening skills or attend to non verbal cues to better understand others’ perspectives, behaviors or motivation; able to empathize with others’ needs and respond sensitively; able to use good judgment when responding to objections successfully.

Initiative:

• Able to generate and explore different, creative, imaginative or unique approaches to problem-solving; able to challenge conventional practices, adapt old methods for new uses, or seek continuous improvement in procedures.

Professionalism:

• Able to remain calm and professional through stressful or ambiguous circumstances; able to objectively and calmly interpret information, solve problems, and meet tight deadlines in difficult circumstances; able to help others manage stress.

Teamwork:

• Able to show team spirit and treat team members with cooperation and respect; able to share useful information with team members; able to support and comply with decisions.

 Skills

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Identifies complex problems and reviews related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Gives full attention to others by actively listening to what they are saying, taking the time to understand their points of view, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Demonstrates strong time management skills by managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternate solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitors/assesses one’s own performance, those of others or the organizations to make improvements or take corrective actions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an approachable, friendly, and welcoming personality.
• Provides excellent judgment and decision-making skills by considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions.

 Working Conditions

This position includes sitting and working at a computer for prolonged periods of time. Must be able to lift 15 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ADA EMPLOYER, and a SUBSTANCE-FREE WORKPLACE