Staff Accountant

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound•Boston, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Accountant is a general ledger accounting role responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and supporting the day-to-day accounting operations of Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School. The role manages accounts payable and receivable, prepares journal entries and accruals, performs bank and balance sheet reconciliations, maintains the general ledger and chart of accounts, and supports monthly and year-end close activities. It also contributes to cash flow forecasting, audit preparation, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll and retirement plan administration, and process improvements. The role uses QuickBooks Online and supports financial systems including Martus, Paylocity, Bill.com, banking platforms, and corporate credit card systems. The position is suited to an experienced accountant with strong general ledger and close expertise, knowledge of nonprofit accounting and 501(c)(3) operations, and the ability to exercise sound accounting judgment. The Staff Accountant works with staff, vendors, auditors, donors, department leaders, and other partners, providing clear explanations and responsive support while maintaining confidentiality and strong internal controls. The work arrangement is hybrid, with three to four days per week in the office. Mondays and Thursdays are required in-office days; additional in-office days are flexible based on operational needs. When required, the position involves ferry travel to Cathleen Stone Island, an approximately 25-minute boat ride each way. The role may involve navigating outdoor environments and uneven terrain, standing for extended periods during trainings, onboarding sessions, and events, and assisting with loading and unloading supplies and materials when applicable, with reasonable accommodation as needed.

Requirements

Five years of progressive accounting experience, including general ledger maintenance, account reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting.
Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, including nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, and donor-restricted net assets.
Experience with full-cycle accounts payable and accounts receivable, journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations.
Experience supporting annual financial audits, internal controls, and accounting process improvements.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, financial analysis, and budgeting or forecasting models.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and account reconciliation skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies and resolve issues accurately.
Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate financial records.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to maintain complete, well-documented accounting records.
Ability to interpret financial information, analyze budget-to-actual variances, and support cash flow forecasting and financial planning.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial procedures clearly to non-finance colleagues.
Demonstrated customer service skills and ability to respond professionally to internal and external inquiries.
Ability to collaborate across departments and contribute to a positive, supportive, learning-oriented work environment.
Ability to handle confidential financial and employee information with discretion and sound professional judgment.
Ability to travel to Cathleen Stone Island by ferry when required, including an approximately 25-minute boat ride each way.
Ability to navigate outdoor environments and uneven terrain on the Island campus and remain on one's feet for extended periods during trainings, onboarding sessions, and organizational events.
When applicable, ability to assist with loading and unloading supplies and materials for organizational activities and events, with reasonable accommodation as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is strongly preferred.
Nonprofit accounting experience is strongly preferred, particularly within a 501(c)(3) organization.
Experience with Bill.com and accounts payable workflow management is strongly preferred.
Experience with Paylocity, Martus, or similar payroll, budgeting, and financial planning systems is preferred.
Familiarity with banking platforms, expense management systems, and financial reporting tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare and post monthly journal entries, accruals, and adjusting entries, ensuring transactions are accurately recorded in the appropriate accounting period.
Maintain the general ledger in QuickBooks Online, including accurate account coding and supporting documentation.
Support monthly and year-end close processes, including account analysis, reconciliations, and preparation of financial schedules.
Maintain financial records in accordance with GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting requirements.
Manage the full accounts payable cycle, including invoice review, general ledger coding, approval routing, payment processing, and vendor communications.
Maintain and improve Bill.com workflows to support timely payments, appropriate approvals, and strong internal controls.
Monitor outstanding invoices, resolve payment discrepancies, respond to vendor inquiries, and maintain vendor records and W-9 documentation.
Support annual 1099 preparation and reporting.
Process incoming payments, checks, electronic transfers, and deposits, and maintain deposit records and accurate revenue coding in QuickBooks Online.
Reconcile donations, grants, program revenue, and other receipts to supporting records and financial reports.
Monitor cash balances and activity, assist with cash management, and maintain cash flow forecasts.
Coordinate payroll processing through Paylocity, ensuring payroll data, employee changes, deductions, and approved adjustments are accurate and submitted on schedule.
Reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger and verify recording of wages, employer payroll taxes, benefits, and related liabilities.
Support payroll tax filings, quarterly and annual payroll reporting, and reconciliation of payroll-related accounts.
Coordinate 401(k) plan administration, reconcile employee deferrals and employer contributions to payroll records, and ensure timely remittance and accurate accounting.
Assist with retirement plan reporting and annual audits, and coordinate with plan administrators and external providers while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.
Support effective operation of QuickBooks Online, Martus, Paylocity, Bill.com, banking platforms, and corporate credit card systems.
Maintain accurate financial data, system records, and user access in accordance with procedures and internal controls.
Identify opportunities to improve workflows, automate routine tasks, strengthen financial review and controls, and reduce errors.
Participate in financial system implementations, process improvements, and development of clear, consistent accounting procedures.
Provide responsive, professional service to staff, vendors, auditors, donors, and other partners.
Respond to inquiries about invoices, payments, payroll, financial transactions, budgets, and accounting procedures, directing questions to appropriate contacts as needed.
Explain financial processes and system procedures in plain language and help colleagues complete tasks accurately.
Collaborate with department leaders and colleagues to resolve issues and improve financial processes and budget and accounting information.
Participate in finance and cross-functional meetings and provide guidance or training on financial procedures and systems as needed.