DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Accountantensures the proper recording of all expenses into the General Ledger. The Senior Accountant performs regular reconciliations to ensure the accuracy of expenses. The Senior Accountant assists the Director of Accounting and Database Management with the annual Pension Audit and Annual Financial Statement Audit

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Expense Management

• Ensure proper recording of rent expense: review submitted rent payment requests for adherence to lease agreements; perform monthly JE to straight line lease expense; complete monthly rent expense analysis; maintain current rent agreements.
• Ensure proper recording of salary expense: complete the bi-weekly salary and fringe allocation calculations based upon approved timesheets
• Complete payment requests to ensure timely remittance of 403(b) and Pension amounts after the conclusion of each bi-weekly payroll
• Conduct monthly budget vs. actual meetings with department managers to ensure accuracy of expense recording and adherence to budgets
• Serve as primary point of contact for all unrestricted expense and unrestricted expense budget related inquiries

Month End Expense Analysis / Reconciliations

• Manage the month-end expense accrual process for all departments. Interact with departments to obtain the required information for proper expense accruals. Reconcile all accrued expense general ledger accounts.
• Perform monthly reconciliations for all prepaid expense accounts
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations for the Payroll bank account
• Follow up on outstanding checks
• Complete monthly journal entry to record usage of inventory. Reconcile all inventory accounts
• Perform monthly fixed asset reconciliation. Record monthly depreciation expense into the general ledger
• Reconcile employee travel credit account on a monthly basis

Quarterly Expense Analysis / Reconciliations

• Complete quarterly lobbying expenditures report
• Complete quarterly pension contribution reconciliation
• Complete quarterly 941 reconciliation

Other

• Manage cards within the corporate American Express credit card program; issue new cards; inactivate terminated cards for departing employees; resolve staff issues related to cards
• Manage the accounting cycle for Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and preparation of monthly financial statements
• Assist the Director of Accounting and Database Management with annual Form 5500 preparation and Pension Audit
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

Experience: 4 years of relevant experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 3

Administrative

1. Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
2. Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service

Communication

1. Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
2. Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
3. Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
4. Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments
5. Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders

Critical Thinking

1. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
2. Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
3. Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
4. Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work
5. Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
6. Strategic thinker with the ability to take high-level strategy and translate into relatable points and action steps.

Project Management

1. Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
2. Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
3. Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
4. Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
5. Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
6. Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion

Coalition and Community Engagement

1. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and /or the general public.
2. Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate policy issues impacting wildlife and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.
3. Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Senior Accountant

1. Intermediate to advanced Excel skills
2. Microsoft Dynamics SL/GP or similar accounting database experience a plus

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.

Please be advised this position is union-eligible.