Senior Accountant in San Francisco, California at UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION

ABOUT U.S. ENERGY FOUNDATION

U.S. Energy Foundation’s (USEF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, and equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate—for today and future generations.

USEF supports education and analysis to promote nonpartisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency, while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. For more than 30 years, USEF has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more.

We are working daily to create equitable systems that support people to flourish. We aim to bring humility, transparency, respect, and an appreciation for others’ lived experiences to our interactions with colleagues, grantees, and partners.

USEF Fundraising Philosophy

As USEF’s primary clients and partners are our funders and grantees, USEF commits to acting as a strategic thought leader for our current and prospective funding partners and the field by:

1. Collaborating—and co-creating, where feasible and desired—on strategy development, including hosting and/or managing funder collaboratives
2. Highlighting the opportunity for climate philanthropy to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by climate change
3. Offering excellent, responsive service by providing proactive, compelling, and timely updates and information

USEF is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and our more than 100 staff members are based in locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions, where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions.

USEF believes that a diverse workforce makes us a more effective organization and is essential for achieving a clean and equitable energy future. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Accountant is a key contributor to USEF's Finance team, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger, supporting grantmaking operations, and helping maintain compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. Reporting to the Senior Controller, this role brings a problem-solving mindset to accounting processes, systems, and controls.

The ideal candidate has solid nonprofit accounting experience—ideally in a grantmaking or grant-funded environment—and is comfortable balancing technical accounting work with cross-functional collaboration.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General and Month-End Close

• Reconcile general ledger accounts, including grantmaking activity, ensuring entries are accurate, complete, and properly supported.
• Support the month-end and year-end closing processes, including preparing journal entries, accruals, and reclassifications.
• Manage fixed asset schedules, prepaid expense amortizations, and depreciation entries.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Document and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls for assigned functions.

Audit and Tax Compliance

• Serve as a key contributor to the annual audit, preparing schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for auditors.
• Assist with data collection for IRS Form 990 and other related tax filings.
• Distribute and file 1099 IRS forms and act as point of vendor contact for related inquiries.
• Implement audit recommendations, and support continuous improvement of internal controls.

Expense Management and Credit Card Administration

• Review, audit, and process employee expense reports submitted through the spend management application, ensuring policy compliance and accurate coding.
• Reconcile credit card statements with expense submissions, and serve as day-to-day administrator of the employee credit card program.
• Develop and maintain training materials; provide onboarding and ongoing training to staff on expense reimbursement procedures.

Process Improvement and Team Collaboration

• Identify opportunities to improve and streamline accounting workflows.
• Provide backup support to accounting colleagues.
• Assist Senior Controller and Senior Director of Finance on special projects.
• Build collaborative relationships across Finance and other Operations teams, as well as the Programs and Strategic Partnerships divisions.
• Contribute to a positive working environment and inclusive team culture, consistent with USEF’s values.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated record of progressive accounting experience, with some experience in a nonprofit organization. Preferred: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or progress toward CPA.
• Demonstrated proficiency in general ledger accounting, month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, basic financial modeling) and comfort with Google Sheets.
• Experience with cloud-based systems, such as Sage Intacct accounting, Concur expense management, and/or Salesforce.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills; able to explain financial information clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.

SUPERVISION

Reports to the Senior Controller.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position. The target salary for this position is $108,000 for a candidate based in the metro areas of San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Sacramento, and $97,200 for candidates in other areas of the U.S. USEF provides a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel two to three times a year for three to four business days at a time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours at the computer. This position requires moderate levels of domestic travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

USEF is a remote-first work environment. This position may be based in any of USEF’s offices or may work remotely from anywhere in the U.S.

The office environments include some shared workspace, some individual offices, and shared kitchen facilities, with moderate noise levels and a collegial atmosphere. On occasion, there are activities or events after work hours.