Staff Accountant

The Skoll Foundation•Washington, DC

13d•$108,571 - $152,145•Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Accountant is an essential member of the Foundation’s Finance team, responsible for executing the day-to-day transactional accounting that keeps the Foundation’s financial operations running accurately and on time. Reporting to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager, this role handles core accounting functions including accounts payable processing, bank and account reconciliations, journal entries, and credit card oversight while also contributing to the month-end close, audit preparation, tax filing support, and financial reporting. Together with the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager, the Staff Accountant handles all transactional and analytical accounting functions internally. While the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager sets operational priorities, reviews work product, the Staff Accountant focuses on accurate and timely execution of the accounting fundamentals that underpin the Foundation’s financial reporting and controls. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career accounting professional to grow within a mission-driven private foundation that values collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
3–5 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance; nonprofit or private foundation experience is a plus.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); familiarity with accounting standards affecting private foundations and philanthropy preferred.
Ability to work Tuesday through Thursday onsite in DC within a reasonable commuting distance to the office.
Ability to travel up to 10% including domestic and international travel.
Strong financial analysis and spreadsheet skills; advanced Excel proficiency (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis) is essential.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).

Nice To Haves

Nonprofit or private foundation experience is a plus.
Familiarity with accounting standards affecting private foundations and philanthropy preferred.
Public accounting experience (audit or tax) is a plus.
Experience with Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Expensify, and ADP is a plus.
Ideally, has experience with AI tools or is willing to learn how to use AI to enhance work.

Responsibilities

Record journal entries in the general ledger (Sage Intacct), including standard, recurring, and adjusting entries each month.
Prepare reconciliations of all bank accounts, general ledger accounts, and subsidiary ledgers on a monthly basis.
Execute month-end close tasks under the direction of the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager, including compiling schedules, posting entries, and resolving discrepancies.
Prepare draft monthly financial statements, management reports, and budget-to-actual reports for the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager’s review.
Process invoices and vendor payments accurately and on schedule using Bill.com and Salesforce, including vendor setup and maintenance.
Reconcile organizational credit card transactions, prepare expense reports, and monitor spending alignment with budget, policy, and organizational values.
Review staff expense submissions for proper documentation, coding accuracy, and policy compliance before routing to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager for approval.
Review the Foundation’s biweekly payroll after processing by the HR team, verifying accuracy of earnings and proper general ledger coding; reconcile payroll registers and flag discrepancies to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager.
Record payroll journal entries in the general ledger and ensure payroll-related accounts are reconciled on a timely basis.
Support the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager in administering retirement plan contributions by gathering employee deferral data, preparing initial payment schedules, and ensuring timely submission to the plan provider.
Prepare audit schedules, workpapers, and confirmations in advance of the annual external audit, including extensive testing of the investment portfolio and grant-related documentation, for the Accounting Manager’s review.
Liaise with external auditors during fieldwork as directed by the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager; respond to auditor inquiries and provide supporting documentation.
Prepare schedules, data, and supporting documentation for the Foundation’s tax filings (Form 990-PF, Form 990, Form 5500, property tax filings) as directed by the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager.
Prepare, distribute, and file annual 1099 forms.
Follow and maintain documented accounting policies and procedures; identify areas for improvement and recommend enhancements to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager.
Support the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager in maintaining strong internal controls by adhering to established processes and flagging potential risks or inconsistencies.
Stay abreast of accounting rules and regulations affecting foundations and philanthropy through ongoing education.
Assist the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager with monthly cash forecasting and analysis for grant payments and operating expenses.
Support financial reporting, analysis, and data preparation for Foundation programs, including the Skoll World Forum, as needed.
Support external financial surveys and other ad hoc reporting requirements.
Take on special projects as assigned.