Junior Grant Accountant

TITLE: Junior Grant Accountant

LOCATION: Brooklyn office/ Hybrid / US-based Remote

WORK SCHEDULE: Full-time

EMPLOYMENT/JOB TYPE: Regular, exempt employee

INTERNAL JOB CATEGORY: Specialization B

DEPARTMENT: Finance & Administration

SUPERVISOR: Finance & Administration Senior Manager

DIRECT REPORTS:  N/A

SALARY: USD $65,000 gross annually, non-negotiable.

ABOUT RAINFOREST FOUNDATION US

For over 30 years, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) has worked to address climate change and safeguard biodiversity by promoting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities and supporting their efforts to protect and defend their rainforests. Science shows that forests managed by indigenous peoples are healthier, suffer less deforestation, capture more carbon, and contain more biodiversity than forests managed by private or public entities--including nationally protected areas. What’s more, scientists tell us that protecting forests is as important as reducing greenhouse emissions if we hope to stem the tide of ecological collapse.

RFUS works in partnership with indigenous and local communities and their representative organizations to protect tropical rainforests by supporting their efforts to secure rights to their lands, strengthen monitoring and land security, influence laws and policies that protect their resources, and build strong and sustainable community leadership. By investing directly in indigenous and local communities, RFUS connects the people rooted in the land with the tools, training, and resources to be effective advocates and protectors of the forests they call home. RFUS currently operates four country programs in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru, and hosts a number of regional partnerships in Central America, the Amazon Basin, and across the tropical belt.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Rainforest Foundation US seeks a dedicated and highly proficient Junior Grant Accountant to manage our restricted revenue and expenses, with a primary focus on our government grant funding.

The Junior Grant Accountant is responsible for processing, accounting for, and reporting on Rainforest Foundation US’s grants and awards in compliance with both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) and government funding requirements. The Junior Grant Accountant will strengthen RFUS’s overall capacity to manage restricted funds by ensuring that the organization’s financial systems, internal controls, policies and procedures, and reporting are robust.

The Junior Grant Accountant will work closely with our Program Managers, administrative team, and Institutional Giving team in the United States, Perú, and with our organizational partners.

The Junior Grant Accountant position is best suited for someone who can easily adapt to change and is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the development of our administrative and financial systems as we grow.

Main responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Record revenue, accounts receivable, and program expenses of government contracts and restricted grants to the general ledger monthly and propose journal entries if necessary
• Prepare grant-level financial reports regularly for:
  • Funders - in compliance with donor terms and conditions
  • Internal teams - to manage grant budgets and aid in decision-making
  • Partners - to support capacity-strengthening initiatives.
• Lead/Review donor budget preparation for grant proposals on as needed basis
• Manage sub-award agreements with partners, including the development of sub-award agreements and budget documents, reviewing interim and final financial reports, processing payments, ad hoc support, and closeout.
• Co-lead partner capacity strengthening efforts, including:
  • providing regular support and training to partner finance teams Work closely with partner technical teams to provide financial guidance and support on grant-related activities.
  • Contribute to the overall development of financial capacity-strengthening program
• Month-end responsibilities include balance sheet review and reconciliations, and a thorough review of revenue and expenses for classification, allocation, correctness, and completion. Lead allocation, accrual, and revenue recognition journal entries
• Assist with preparation of documents/schedules required by auditors during annual audit
• Assist in gathering data for annual Form 990 tax filings
• Develop and implement policies and procedures as needed to ensure compliance with grant requirements.  Regularly update and refine grant management procedures to reflect best practices and changes in funder requirements.
• Contribute to the AP process by reviewing and approving payment requests, answering questions about budget balances and coding, reviewing credit card reports for coding, and serving as a backup when the AP Specialist is unavailable.
• Initiate and facilitate meetings with program managers to discuss the progress of grants toward successful completion and resolve concerns and discrepancies.
• Perform administrative tasks including, but not limited to, creating and maintaining databases and spreadsheets, reconciliations, and various other projects as needed.
• Interact with internal and external stakeholders on a routine basis to ensure data accuracy and compliance with GAAP, government requirements, and other pertinent regulations.

And any other duties needed to help drive to our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by our Organization's Values.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration or equivalent experience
• 1-2 years of directly related experience with financial management for an NGO
• 2+ years of experience using accounting software such as QuickBooks
• Spanish proficiency, oral and written
• Demonstrated successful experience or dedicated motivation to learn  preparation  and management of  foundation and government grants and contracts and supporting grant management staff
• Understanding of non-profit accounting, bookkeeping, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and familiarity with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS).
• Experience with developing and implementing policies, procedures, and systems relative to finance and accounting practices and grant management
• Ability to prioritize daily activities to meet competing deadlines
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work well with others and collaborate effectively
• Good analytical, interpersonal, and email-writing skills
• Willingness to learn, adhere to, and improve Finance policies and procedures
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility to learn new skills and work on special projects on an as-needed basis
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with staff and people from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Integrity and professional discretion when handling confidential matters
• Experience in subcontract management and procurement systems
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports
• Ability to maintain and build professional relationships internally and externally

Compensation & Benefits

RFUS offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. Our full-time employees enjoy generous benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision: We pay 100% of the employee and dependents' health and welfare benefits premiums
• 401(k) retirement benefits with a match and employer contribution
• Generous time off through vacation, sick and personal leave, holidays, summer Fridays, and an extended winter break office closure
• Life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program
• Some positions may be fully remote or hybrid.

Workplace Culture & Conditions

At RFUS, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to fulfilling our vision of building a better workplace and a better world. From our hiring practices through the entire employee experience, we embrace and celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds that each employee brings to the workplace. RFUS strives to foster an environment where our employees feel respected and valued, and our team members are at the forefront of helping us promote and sustain an inclusive workplace for all.

RFUS prides itself on providing a flexible, family-friendly work environment that values work-life balance. Our offices are in a historic downtown Brooklyn neighborhood easily accessible by public transit.

Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunities

​​Rainforest Foundation US does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, partners, and clients. Black, Indigenous, and people of color are highly encouraged to apply.

Application instructions

• Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early and advised to carefully study the job description to ensure they meet the requirements and skills we are looking for.
• Applications will not be considered without the submission of a resume and cover letter.
• Please note that the position will be listed as open until filled. Only candidates who are shortlisted for interviews will be contacted.
• The candidate must possess the legal requirements to work in the United States; Rainforest Foundation US will not sponsor visas for international candidates.

Keywords

Grant AccountantRainforest FoundationGovernment GrantsFinancial ManagementNGOAccounting SoftwareSpanish ProficiencyNonprofit AccountingGrant ManagementFinancial ReportsPolicies and Procedures