Interim Sr. Accountant (Contractor)

RACC; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 124,000; Part time

Job summary

RACC in Portland, OR seeks an Interim Senior Accountant to support the Interim CFO through a finance transformation initiative. The role focuses on strengthening accounting processes, improving controls, and ensuring accurate financial reporting produced by the outsourced partner.

Unlike a traditional Senior Accountant, this position oversees the monthly close, reviews work by the external team, and coordinates corrections, with potential extension beyond six months if needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience.
• CPA preferred.
• Fund accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, and payroll experience.
• Experience with accounting software; Sage Intacct experience a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills are necessary including pivot tables and Vlookup.
• Experience with annual audits and month end close.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly close by reviewing outsourced work and ensuring accuracy.
• Identify errors, omissions, or unusual transactions and coordinate corrections with the external accounting team.
• Document accounting policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Support audit preparation and grant reporting.
• Partner with Interim CFO to drive finance transformation and align processes with operations.

Skills

Accounting leadership

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting

Tools

Sage Intacct

Excel (Advanced)

Job description

RACC values a community in which everyone can participate in arts and culture and strives to cultivate equity in all its programs. We value a diverse workforce built upon inclusion, equity and cultural humility and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. RACC grants support artists, arts organizations and artistic projects that promote RACC’s core values and advance the community’s access to a wide range of arts and culture experiences.

Interim Sr. Accountant

Status: Contract, Temporary | Part-Time, 25-30 hours/week | Hourly, $80-$90/hour

Location: Hybrid

Duration: 6 months with potential to extend

Department Lead | Supervisory: Interim Chief Financial Officer

Position Summary:

The Interim Senior Accountant will play a key role in supporting the Interim CFO through a comprehensive finance transformation initiative. This position is responsible for strengthening accounting processes, improving financial controls, enhancing reporting, and ensuring the accuracy of financial information produced by the organization's outsourced accounting partner.

Unlike a traditional Senior Accountant role, this position is not responsible for performing routine month-end accounting activities. Instead, the Interim Senior Accountant will provide oversight of the monthly close process by reviewing work completed by the external accounting team, identifying issues, reclassifying data, recommending improvements, and ensuring financial information is complete, accurate, and timely.

Essential Functions

Finance Transformation

• Partner with the Interim CFO to execute finance transformation initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Evaluate existing accounting processes and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Document accounting policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Assist in implementing new financial processes, controls, and reporting practices.
• Work with organizational leaders and interim CFO to align accounting processes with operational practices, leading to financial tracking that results in accurate financial reporting.
• Support organizational readiness for future permanent finance leadership

Oversight of Outsourced Accounting

• Review monthly accounting work prepared by the outsourced accounting firm, including journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Support processes resulting in monthly financial close being completed accurately and on schedule.
• Identify errors, omissions, or unusual transactions and coordinate corrections with the external accounting team.
• Monitor service quality and recommend improvements to monthly close processes
• Serve as the primary internal liaison with outsourced accounting providers

Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Produce financial reporting for funders
• Produce monthly management reporting, including budget to actual by program and fund source
• Prepare ad hoc reporting to support decision making
• Support annual budget development and prepare cash flow forecasts.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Assess existing internal controls and recommend enhancements to reduce risk.
• Develop standardized documentation and accounting procedures.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, GAAP, and organizational policies.

Audit & Special Projects

• Assist the Interim CFO & Outsourced accounting vendor with audit preparation and coordination.
• Prepare schedules and support documentation requested by auditors.
• Support grant compliance and financial reporting as needed.
• Participate in special projects related to systems, reporting, and organizational improvements

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience. Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting; an additional four (4) years of relevant experience may substitute for the degree.
• CPA preferred.
• Fund accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, and payroll experience.
• Experience with accounting software; Sage Intacct experience a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills are necessary including pivot tables and Vlookup.
• Experience with annual audits and month end close.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles.
• Demonstrated ability to review complex accounting work .and identify errors or process improvements.
• Experience documenting and improving accounting processes.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external service providers.