Senior Accountant

Job Title: Senior Accountant - Compliance and Tax Reporting

Department: Finance

Location: Oakland, CA, Washington DC, Remote

Reports To: Managing Assistant Controller

Supervises: n/a 

Context:  At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: In coordination with the Managing Assistant Controller, the Senior Accountant - Compliance and Tax Reporting works with departments and volunteers to manage, coordinate, prepare, implement, and monitor the Sierra Club's annual tax and regulatory reportings with minimal supervision. The Senior Accountant - Compliance and Tax Reporting is a Program Manager and independently coordinates the federal and state tax reporting with the outside tax consultant for the Club and its related entities. They are responsible for collecting key and sensitive information from senior management in compliance with required regulatory filings.   They also ensure compliance with  Sierra Club and Chapter political reporting through monthly financial statements and other Sierra Club political reports for GAAP and regulatory compliance, and the role serves as a resource on compliance and chapter/group financial reporting.  They act as the regular point of contact for auditors, bank personnel, and regulatory tax agencies for information gathering, troubleshooting, and responding to requests.  They monitor daily cash flow, including Seller of Travel balance, to assess immediate and medium term Treasury needs and serve as a key point of contact on banking queries, as well as provide key support to cash management and Treasury operations of the Club, general accounting, and accounts payable functions as needed.

• Manages federal and state tax reporting process and tax compliance. Gathers, seeks input from staff, and reviews data and information, including Club’s audited financial statement, bank statements, investment reports, non-conflict disclosure statements, and year-end chapter and group financial information. Prepares various schedules for external tax accountant to conform with current tax regulations (e.g. IRS Form 990), and also performs a thorough review of tax accountant’s worksheets and draft of tax returns (federal and state for Sierra Club, SC Political Committee, SC Voter Education, SC Unrelated Business Tax and other entities) for accuracy. Maintains current knowledge of regulatory and tax regulations (federal and state) and acts as liaison to tax consultants with regards to preparation of required filings and assessment of other potential tax-consequential matters. In addition, this role is responsible for all sales and use tax reporting within California and other states as required

• Manages charitable solicitations.  Oversees the activities related to state, county and local registration returns and annual reports as they pertain to compliance with state charitable solicitation acts and nonprofit corporation acts. Acts as primary liaison with regulatory agencies and the outside financial consultants to ensure that filings are completed accurately and paid on time. Review and provide information as needed to complete the filings.

• Oversees accounting for affiliated political entities.
• Responsible for reconciling bank operating accounts for the Sierra Club and Sierra Club’s DC Office, segregated SCPC funds, and various other political action committee/527 funds.  
• Reconcile expenses, track revenue and spending, process invoices, payments, and reports, collaborate with Compliance & Regulatory Reporting Officer to complete forms and other filings, including 990s and PAC reports.
• Facilitates Accounts Payable for the Sierra Club DC Office, certain political-focused 501(c)4 and all PAC check requests, including ACH and Wire Transfers Prepares monthly journals and participates in monthly close process.  Ensures all required journal entries are completed and entered into the general ledger. Prepares monthly general ledger reconciliations. 
• Prepares monthly and yearly accruals, journals, liabilities and deferred revenue, and adjustments, performs account analyses and reconciliations
• Maintains appropriate files and documentation of all advances.

• Responsible for Chapter Political Action Committee oversight, regulatory reporting and year-end financial reports. In order to ensure compliance, this position reviews PAC financial reports in addition to gathering other chapter/group financial information to incorporate into the Club’s IRS Form 990 and audited financial statement. Also, this position keeps track of all the political expenses to ensure compliance and pays the political taxes on a timely basis, and records arising tax liability from political expenditures and ensures prompt payment of taxes to maintain compliance. In addition, this position is responsible for oversight on all Chapter PAC reporting to outside agencies.  As non-compliance matters are discovered, immediately notify impacted parties and work toward timely resolution.

• Review and finalization of chapter and group year-end financial statements for completeness and accuracy on an as needed basis.

• Treasury Management. Handles day-to-day banking operations.  This position manages tasks such as the daily cash flow projections reports, accounts payable issues, wire and ACH transfers, foreign drafts, void transactions, incoming/outgoing funds. They are responsible for recording deposits timely and accurately. Works with lead bank for inquiries of bank transactions or problems and provides timely response for processing decisions to the Club’s lead bank. Authorized to sign, approve, and endorse checks as needed. 

• Other duties as needed.

• Commitment to the organization’s values of equity, justice, and inclusion.
• Thorough understanding of nonprofit, tax and political accounting and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). CPA or graduate degree preferred.
• Proficiency using technology.  You are skilled working with NetSuite and complex spreadsheets.
• Communication skills.  You have effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with staff, volunteers, and the general public, as well as the discretion to maintain confidential information, including salaries.
• Strong time-management skills.  You are able to multi- task and prioritize as deadlines approach and project priorities change.
• Attention to detail.  You are able to work well with a team as well as working independently.
• Problem Solving.  Ability to use logic, reasoning and empathy to identify alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field or the equivalent experience. CPA preferred.
• Experience working with financial systems such as Adaptive Insights and Netsuite.
• Interest in continuous process improvement.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.