Staff Accountant in Boston, Massachusetts at CATHLEEN STONE ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL

Who are we?

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School is located in the heart of the Boston Harbor Islands. With a 200-year legacy of serving children in Boston and a 50-year partnership with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) district, the Island is a beacon for experiential education, empowering young people through hands-on learning and skill building and outdoor adventure and exploration. We are a proud member of the network of nine Outward Bound schools in the U.S., with a shared mission to change lives through challenge and discovery. We are members of the Outward Bound USA and International organizations.

Education is at the forefront of our work.

What is our mission and how do we achieve it?

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School’s mission is to build stronger, more equitable school communities by delivering experiential learning programs that boost academic success and foster personal growth. Our research-based programs blend social-emotional and character leadership, STEM, and challenge-based learning, giving students a unique opportunity to build life skills alongside academic ones.

Whom do we serve (students, clients, customers)?

We offer education programs for school and youth groups, leadership development programs for professionals, hospitality and catering, and rental services for on-site events.

What is the opportunity?

The Staff Accountant at Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School is a general ledger accounting role responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and supporting day-to-day accounting operations. Key responsibilities include managing accounts payable and receivable, preparing journal entries and accruals, performing bank and balance sheet reconciliations, maintaining the general ledger and chart of accounts, and completing month-end close activities. The role will also contribute to cash flow forecasting, audit preparation, financial reporting, budgeting, and process improvements.

The ideal candidate will bring five years of progressive accounting experience, strong general ledger and month-end close expertise, and a solid understanding of nonprofit accounting principles and 501(c)(3) financial operations. Experience with QuickBooks Online and Martus is important, particularly for general ledger management, financial reporting, and budgeting processes. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in account reconciliations, financial statement preparation, internal controls, and audit documentation, alongside strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently. This opportunity is well suited to an experienced staff accountant who can exercise sound accounting judgment, strengthen financial processes, and support accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations.

Compensation Package and Benefits

$60,000 - $70,000: Competitive pay commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, and vision insurance. Earned vacation time (up to 120 hours) and personal time (160 hours). Workers Compensation Insurance. Optional supplemental insurance offerings. Accident Insurance. Access to professional discount programs for gear and clothing.

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound Education Center is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks staff as diverse as the communities it serves. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a social justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

What you will do?

Key Responsibilities

Core Accounting & General Ledger Management

• Prepare and post monthly journal entries, accruals, and adjusting entries, ensuring transactions are recorded accurately and 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 accurate financial records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and applicable nonprofit accounting requirements

Accounts Payable & Vendor Management

• 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, and respond to vendor inquiries
• Maintain accurate vendor records and W-9 documentation, and support annual 1099 preparation and reporting

Accounts Receivable & Cash Management

• Process incoming payments, checks, electronic transfers, and deposits, ensuring accurate recording and timely reconciliation
• Maintain deposit records and properly code revenue transactions in QuickBooks Online
• Reconcile donations, grants, program revenue, and other receipts to supporting records and applicable financial reports
• Monitor cash balances and cash activity, assist with cash management, and maintain cash flow forecasts to support organizational planning

Payroll & Retirement Plan Administration

• 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 the accurate recording of wages, employer payroll taxes, benefits, and related liabilities
• Support payroll tax filings, quarterly and annual payroll reporting, and the reconciliation of payroll-related accounts
• Coordinate 401(k) plan administration, including reviewing employee deferral and employer contribution data, reconciling contributions to payroll records, and ensuring timely remittance and accurate accounting
• Assist with retirement plan reporting, annual audits, and coordination with plan administrators and external providers, maintaining confidentiality and compliance with applicable requirements

Financial Systems & Process Improvement

• Use and support the 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 established procedures and internal controls
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, automate routine tasks, strengthen financial review and controls, and reduce errors
• Participate in financial system implementations, process improvements, and the development of clear, consistent accounting procedures

Customer Service, Collaboration & Communication

• Provide responsive, professional, and courteous service to staff, vendors, auditors, donors, and other internal and external partners
• Respond to a variety of requests and inquiries related to invoices, payments, payroll, financial transactions, budgets, and accounting procedures, directing questions to the appropriate contacts when needed
• Foster a positive, supportive environment that encourages learning, clear communication, and constructive problem-solving
• Explain financial processes and system procedures in plain language, helping colleagues understand requirements and complete tasks accurately
• Collaborate with department leaders and colleagues to resolve issues, improve financial processes, and maintain accurate budget and accounting information
• Participate in finance and cross-functional meetings and provide guidance or training on financial procedures and systems as needed

Who are you?

• You are a thoughtful and dependable professional who values collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and relationship building
• You approach accounting and finance work with empathy, discretion, and strong attention to detail
• You are comfortable navigating fast paced operational environments and balancing multiple priorities with care and consistency
• You believe strong workplace culture and employee engagement contribute directly to organizational impact and mission success
• You are skilled at communicating clearly, maintaining confidentiality, and supporting employees and managers with compassion
• You are excited to work within a mission driven organization focused on experiential education, youth development, and community impact

Qualifications:

Education & Accounting Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field strongly preferred
• Five years of progressive accounting experience, including general ledger maintenance, account reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, and donor-restricted net assets
• Demonstrated 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
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred, particularly within a 501(c)(3) organization

Software & Technical Proficiency

• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online required
• Experience with Bill.com and accounts payable workflow management strongly preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, financial analysis, and budgeting or forecasting models
• Experience with Paylocity, Martus, or similar payroll, budgeting, and financial planning systems preferred
• Familiarity with banking platforms, expense management systems, and financial reporting tools preferred

Analytical & Organizational Skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and account reconciliation skills, with 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 and well-documented accounting records
• Ability to interpret financial information, analyze budget-to-actual variances, and support cash flow forecasting and financial planning

Communication & Collaboration

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial procedures clearly to non-finance colleagues
• Demonstrated customer service skills and the ability to respond professionally to inquiries from internal and external partners
• Ability to collaborate across departments and contribute to a positive, supportive, and learning-oriented work environment
• Ability to handle confidential financial and employee information with discretion and exercise sound professional judgment

Work Arrangement & Physical Requirements:

• Hybrid work arrangement: Three to four days in the office per week. Mondays and Thursdays are required in-office days; additional in-office days are flexible based on operational needs
• Island travel: When required, ability to travel to Cathleen Stone Island by ferry, 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

Application Close Date: 12/14/2026