Staff Accountant

Title: Staff Accountant

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Department : Administration

Reports To : Business Development Officer

Wage band : Technical Skills Level 3

Pay: $70,500 - $75,000*

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: Responsible for maintaining various financial records and reports; performing and processing a variety of transactions and reconciliations associated with sub-ledgers and General Ledger (GL) accounts; and general accounting duties in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Responsibilities:

• Under general direction and moderate independence, maintain the processing of General Ledger (GL) batches.
• Run and analyze reports; assist Development in reconciling weekly batches; and post Raisers Edge (RE) journals into Financial Edge (FE).
• Analyze and identify necessary GL account adjustments; create and post required journal entries, including those provided by others.
• Create project/job codes in RE and FE as directed by department managers.
• Assist other departments with accounting and coding questions.
• Create and maintain various Excel spreadsheets, including analyses, reconciliations, sales tax tracking, point of sale summaries, and benefits.
• Assist as needed in counting, preparing, and reconciling miscellaneous receipt deposits; prepare bank deposits; and process miscellaneous credit card charges and refunds.
• Run and prepare reports, including budget and FE reports as requested by Finance management or department managers ; respond to staff inquiries and run FE for departmental code and budget questions.
• Assist Finance management in preparing, importing, and posting payroll and expense data batches; enter and import budgets into FE; and generate related monthly financial reports.
• Support Finance management with the annual audit, including pulling required documents and verification materials for submission.
• Create museum vendor agreement documents, send for signatures, track execution and compliance, and upload to Trustlayer. Verify insurance compliance in the TrustLayer system.
• Demonstrate familiarity with Accounts Payable processes, daily cash counting, and associated worksheets; provide support and back up to the Accounting Clerk as needed.
• Download, distribute, and manage corporate credit card activity for staff coding and approval; assist with bank reconciliations for credit cards, camps, and other accounts; prepare cash change fund orders as needed.
• Manage 1099 filings in FE for third party software processing, including verifying vendor names and tax IDs; ensure correct account setup, modify as appropriate, and provide directions to the Accounting Clerk for verification.
• Record investment activity and prepare year-end reconciliations for all investment accounts.
• Assist in the preparation of a variety of government filings.

Organization-Wide

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized workspaces.
• Follow opening/closing procedures and uphold safety and emergency protocols.
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests and the community.
• Fosters a spirit of teamwork and collaboration by actively supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive work culture.
• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Assist with other Museum educational and special events as needed and approved by the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• 3–5 years of related accounting experience and knowledge of GAAP, or a combination of relevant education and experience.
• Good working knowledge of computerized accounting programs; Excellent MS Excel, Outlook, and Word skills.
• Ability to work occasional overtime or weekend hours.
• Strong familiarity with general ledger activity and debit/credit accounts; strong math skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills within all levels of the organization and external contacts; team player with a positive attitude.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management/organizational skills; ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated confidentiality, discretion, and integrity.

Preferred Requirement:

• AA in Accounting preferred or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of Financial Edge and Raisers Edge.
• Interest in the natural world and science.
• Non-profit experience.

Work Environment:

• General office environment with occasional work throughout the Museum’s facilities (Sea Center, galleries, conference rooms, and exhibit halls) and outdoors.
• Significant telephone and computer work (repetitive movement – typing).
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs and bending with occasional lifting of light loads (30 lbs.).

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

*The pay range above represents the budgeted range for a new hire, encompassing the minimum and maximum rates. Placement within this range will depend on factors such as specific skills, qualifications, relevant years of experience, and alignment with the salaries of current employees in similar roles. In most cases, newly hired employees are placed below the midpoint of the range.