Bookkeeper - Part Time Contract

Backburner Labs, Inc • Saint Paul, MN

9d • $40 - $50 • Hybrid

About The Position

Backburner Labs is seeking a detail-oriented, self-sufficient bookkeeper for a part-time, six-month independent contractor engagement. This role will focus on core transactional accounting work, supporting the CFO in a fast-paced, growing engineering consultancy. The position offers the opportunity to create systems as the company scales and potentially grow with the company over time. The role involves working 16 hours per week, primarily on Thursdays and Fridays, with flexibility for hybrid or remote work within the Twin Cities, Minnesota area.

Requirements

• 3+ years of hands-on bookkeeping or transactional accounting experience.
• Proficiency with Xero (our primary accounting platform).
• Experience with Brex or similar corporate card and spend management platforms.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and manage priorities.
• US, Minnesota-based.
• Familiarity with US GAAP and standard accounting practices.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growing company with evolving processes.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance (equivalent experience welcome).
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics or similar ERP platforms.
• Experience with Harvest or similar time-tracking and project billing tools.
• Background supporting a professional services or project-based business.
• Familiarity with project-cost accounting and expense-to-project allocation.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily transaction entry and ensure accurate, timely syncing between the corporate card platform (Brex) and accounting system (Xero).
• Audit and clean up transaction descriptions and expense classifications; follow up with team members on missing or incomplete coding.
• Allocate expenses to the correct projects within Xero; maintain accurate project-level records throughout the month.
• Process and reconcile hardware & materials invoices in Xero; generate draft invoices for CFO review and perform materials tie-out at month-end.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring all accounts are properly supported and discrepancies are resolved before close.
• Load and audit contractor payable invoices at month-end; verify against time-tracking data and follow up on any discrepancies.
• Maintain and update month-end Excel trackers for engineering time, contractor activity, and related financial data.
• Classify and post daily non-card transactions to Xero; ensure consistent coding across the general ledger.
• Generate draft client invoices from engineering time data for CFO review.
• Support an accurate and timely monthly close process in collaboration with the CFO.

Benefits

• $40–$50 per hour, commensurate with experience
• 16 hours per week, structured around Thursdays and Fridays
• Five-month contract term: August 1 - December 31, 2026
• Flexibility to work hybrid or remote (Twin Cities, Minnesota required for occasional in-person collaboration)
• The chance to grow with a high-performing, engineering-driven company, with potential for expanded scope over time

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree