Staff Accountant

One Million Degrees • Chicago, IL

2d • $63,500 - $73,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

One Million Degrees accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. Over 60% of students who start community college do not complete a degree or successfully transfer to a four-year institution. However, 84% of jobs in the US require skills training beyond high school. OMD’s holistic support model is designed to support community college students as they work toward degrees and careers. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and professional development, OMD helps community college students succeed in school, work, and life, transforming their futures and the futures of those around them for generations. The OMD student support model is rooted in evaluation and evidence: A randomized controlled trial conducted with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab shows that OMD scholars are 70% more likely to enroll, 94% more likely to persist, 73% more likely to earn a degree. Currently, OMD serves scholars in all 7 of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and is scaling to reach over 3000 community college scholars by 2026 through our unique partnership with CCC. In addition to direct services, OMD partners with employers across industries to build on-ramps to in-demand jobs through internships and apprenticeships and supports institutions nationwide to design and implement models of holistic student support. Through this growing body of work, OMD continues to have a profound impact in Chicagoland while becoming a national model for sustainable, scalable, and systemic change. OMD Values: OMD is deeply committed to our core values, as demonstrated in the work we do, our approach to change and growth, and our commitment to our staff. Equity: We address historical and existing systemic inequities by taking a holistic approach to supporting students on their path to economic mobility. Excellence: We hold ourselves to a high bar and provide exceptional support so that students are empowered to achieve their ambitions. Community: We unite around putting students first, collaborating with partners, and celebrating our collective wins. Learning: We each adapt to a changing world and refine our approach to support students, community members, staff, and stakeholders along the way. Amplify: We advocate for our students and share what we've learned as leaders in the field. Position Summary: The Staff Accountant reports directly to the Controller and provides essential support to the Finance Department’s daily operations. This role assists with routine accounting tasks, monthly close activities, and financial record‑keeping to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. The Staff Accountant plays a key role in maintaining strong internal controls, supporting the Development‑to‑Finance revenue pipeline, and helping advance OMD’s implementation of financial systems such as Ramp and Sage Intacct. This role is ideal for a detail‑oriented, solutions‑driven accounting professional with nonprofit experience who thrives in a collaborative, fast‑paced, hybrid environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 2+ years of accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit environment.
• Proficiency in accounting software; Sage Intacct strongly preferred.
• Strong Excel skills, including comfort with smart formulas (Sumifs, Vlookup, etc), reconciliations, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with grant accounting and fund tracking.
• Understanding of GAAP, FASB, and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills.
• Demonstrates effective time management and reliably meets all deadlines
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret financial data and identify trends.
• Effective communicator able to translate financial concepts for non‑Finance staff.
• Collaborative team player with a commitment to OMD’s values of equity, excellence, community, learning, and amplification.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with month‑end close activities, including preparing journal entries, pulling reports, and organizing support.
• Complete routine general ledger reconciliations for cash, prepaid expenses, deposits, and other accounts.
• Support revenue accounting, including daily creation of invoices, reconciling Development fundraising reports to Sage Intacct revenue reports, and ensuring timely recording of all cash receipts.
• Enter and classify cash receipts; ensure proper coding aligned with OMD’s chart of accounts and funding structure.
• Support the full Accounts Payable (A/P) process by entering bills, preparing payment batches, routing approvals, and processing reimbursements ensuring compliance with OMD policies and internal controls.
• Assist in expensing employee benefits costs (health, dental, vision, life insurance), including allocating these costs to funding sources and departments.
• Assist in expensing payroll costs via journals; oversee mapping of payroll categories to Sage Intacct GL Accounts.
• As needed, lead reclasses of journals such as foras adjustments to GL account, funding sources, and/or department.
• Prepare and post journal entries following internal documentation and control requirements.
• Maintain accurate, audit‑ready files aligned with GAAP, FASB, and OMD’s internal policies.
• Help monitor restricted and unrestricted grant expenditures in Sage Intacct.
• Maintain required vendor compliance documentation including W‑9 and assist with 1099 tracking.
• Support audit preparation, including schedules, reconciliations, documentation requests, and testing samples.
• Perform additional projects and tasks assigned by the Controller in support of broader Finance initiatives.
• Assist with the rollout and operational use of Ramp for expense management, card controls, and A/P automation.
• Support improvements to the Development‑to‑Finance revenue recording process, including reconciling opportunity reports and communicating discrepancies.
• Contribute to process documentation and ongoing strengthening of internal controls.

Benefits

• Full Health Benefits –Provided for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision. OMD pays 100% of individual’s basic monthly health premium and 80% dependent coverage.
• Employee assistance program, which offers confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and more.
• Retirement Benefits – For full-time employees, OMD offers a 401(k) plan and matches retirement contributions up to 4% of total salary.
• Generous Paid Time Off Policy– OMD has 12 paid holidays and offers up to 15 days PTO in year one; in addition to two weeks paid time off for winter break.
• Compensatory time for certain designated duties performed outside of normal work hours
• Monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement up to $50/month.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents.
• Professional Learning Opportunities – OMD supports employee development in areas relevant to professional and organizational goals. Annual Professional Development allowances are set as part of annual budgets, and employees have opportunities to seek occasional additional support to supplement their personal Professional Development allowance when appropriate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees