Staff Accountant at The Skoll Foundation – Washington, District of Columbia
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About This Position
Skoll is a private grant-making foundation that seeks to build a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and other social innovators. Together, we advance bold and equitable solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. The Skoll Foundation fosters a mission- and values-based approach to the work we do focused on the vision of doing good.
The Skoll Foundation is hiring a Staff Accountant based in Washington, DC. The Staff Accountant is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, including Tuesday through Thursday onsite in the DC office.
The Staff Accountant is an essential member of the Foundation’s Finance team, responsible for executing the day-to-day transactional accounting that keeps the Foundation’s financial operations running accurately and on time. Reporting to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager, this role handles core accounting functions including accounts payable processing, bank and account reconciliations, journal entries, and credit card oversight while also contributing to the month-end close, audit preparation, tax filing support, and financial reporting.
Together with the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager, the Staff Accountant handles all transactional and analytical accounting functions internally. While the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager sets operational priorities, reviews work product, the Staff Accountant focuses on accurate and timely execution of the accounting fundamentals that underpin the Foundation’s financial reporting and controls. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career accounting professional to grow within a mission-driven private foundation that values collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation.
Primary Duties Transactional Accounting & Month-End Close- Record journal entries in the general ledger (Sage Intacct), including standard, recurring, and adjusting entries each month.
- Prepare reconciliations of all bank accounts, general ledger accounts, and subsidiary ledgers on a monthly basis.
- Execute month-end close tasks under the direction of the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager, including compiling schedules, posting entries, and resolving discrepancies.
- Prepare draft monthly financial statements, management reports, and budget-to-actual reports for the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager’s review.
- Process invoices and vendor payments accurately and on schedule using Bill.com and Salesforce, including vendor setup and maintenance.
- Reconcile organizational credit card transactions, prepare expense reports, and monitor spending alignment with budget, policy, and organizational values.
- Review staff expense submissions for proper documentation, coding accuracy, and policy compliance before routing to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager for approval.
- Review the Foundation’s biweekly payroll after processing by the HR team, verifying accuracy of earnings and proper general ledger coding; reconcile payroll registers and flag discrepancies to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager.
- Record payroll journal entries in the general ledger and ensure payroll-related accounts are reconciled on a timely basis.
- Support the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager in administering retirement plan contributions by gathering employee deferral data, preparing initial payment schedules, and ensuring timely submission to the plan provider.
- Prepare audit schedules, workpapers, and confirmations in advance of the annual external audit, including extensive testing of the investment portfolio and grant-related documentation, for the Accounting Manager’s review.
- Liaise with external auditors during fieldwork as directed by the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager; respond to auditor inquiries and provide supporting documentation.
- Prepare schedules, data, and supporting documentation for the Foundation’s tax filings (Form 990-PF, Form 990, Form 5500, property tax filings) as directed by the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager.
- Prepare, distribute, and file annual 1099 forms.
- Follow and maintain documented accounting policies and procedures; identify areas for improvement and recommend enhancements to the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager.
- Support the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager in maintaining strong internal controls by adhering to established processes and flagging potential risks or inconsistencies.
- Stay abreast of accounting rules and regulations affecting foundations and philanthropy through ongoing education.
- Assist the Senior Finance & Accounting Manager with monthly cash forecasting and analysis for grant payments and operating expenses.
- Support financial reporting, analysis, and data preparation for Foundation programs, including the Skoll World Forum, as needed.
- Support external financial surveys and other ad hoc reporting requirements.
- Take on special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
Education & Experience- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance; nonprofit or private foundation experience is a plus.
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); familiarity with accounting standards affecting private foundations and philanthropy preferred.
- Ability to work Tuesday through Thursday onsite in DC within a reasonable commuting distance to the office.
- Ability to travel up to 10% including domestic and international travel.
- Public accounting experience (audit or tax) is a plus.
- Strong financial analysis and spreadsheet skills; advanced Excel proficiency (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis) is essential.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
- Experience with Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Expensify, and ADP is a plus.
- Ideally, has experience with AI tools or is willing to learn how to use AI to enhance work.
- Organized, reliable, and detail-oriented with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong project management skills with a deadline-oriented mindset.
- Proven track record of discretion and ability to securely handle confidential information.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and promptly seek guidance from the Accounting Manager when needed.
- Demonstrated commitment to compliance and risk mitigation; ability to proactively identify potential risks and support effective controls.
- Enthusiastic and flexible team player with humility, a positive demeanor, and exceptional service orientation; ready to roll up sleeves and collaborate across the Foundation’s small team.
- A keen sense of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to creating a positive organizational culture.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and adaptable to change.
- Interest in social innovation and alignment with the Skoll Foundation’s mission to catalyze transformational social change.
Benefits
The Skoll Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package including flexible time off, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision coverage, and generous retirement plan offerings.
Salary
$108,571 - $152,145
The Skoll Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
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Job Location
Job Location
This job is located in the Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, United States region.