Junior Staff Accountant

American Rivers; Portland (ME); Remote; USD 53,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Disability & life insurance

Employer contribution 3% after 1 year

Home office stipend

Sabbatical after 7 years

Paid parental leave

Job summary

American Rivers is seeking a Junior Staff Accountant to support the Finance & Accounting team and ensure GAAP compliance and timely recording of transactions.

You will handle Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, general ledger activities, and grant-related compliance with strong attention to accuracy and internal controls. This remote role requires a Bachelor’s in Accounting/Finance, excellent organization, and proficiency in MS Office and Adobe.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. Internship or relevant coursework is a plus.
• Self-motivated with ability to work remotely.
• Well organized with high attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative and follow through with minimal direction.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal and cross-geo collaboration.
• Able to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Adobe.
• Reliable high-speed internet and dedicated home workspace.

Responsibilities

• Accounts Payable (A/P) processing and vendor traceability as outlined (25%).
• Vendor file maintenance and compliance with internal controls and federal regulations (25%).
• Accounts Receivable (A/R) recordation, invoicing, and grant reimbursements (25%).
• General Ledger and reconciliations including month/year-end close and bank reconciliations (25%).
• Compliance duties including 1099 reporting, audits, and regulatory adherence (25%).

Skills

Self-motivation

Independent work

Organizational skills

Initiative

Team player

Multi-tasking

Verbal & written communication

MS Office

Adobe software

Reliable home workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Job description

About American Rivers

American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.

JOB SUMMARY

The Junior Staff Accountant provides support to the Finance and Accounting team to ensure that American Rivers’ accounting functions are performed in accordance with GAAP and organizational guidelines and that transactions are recorded in a timely manner.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounts Payable (A/P)

(25%)

• Process vendor invoices accurately and promptly, ensuring proper approvals and coding.
• Verify that all expenditures are properly authorized and supported with appropriate documentation.
• Maintain detailed documentation and audit trails for all federal award transactions.
• Prepare and process electronic payments, ACH transfers, and check disbursements.

Vendor File Maintenance

• Verify and collect required documentation from all vendors, including W-9 forms, executed contracts, and proof of insurance where applicable.
• Review vendor information for accuracy before activation and regularly update vendor data (e.g., addresses, tax IDs, banking details).
• Ensure vendor setup complies with internal control policies, procurement standards, and federal grant regulations under OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).

Accounts Receivable (A/R)

(25%)

• Record and reconcile incoming payments, including grant reimbursements, donor contributions, and other receivables.
• Prepare and submit invoices to funding agencies and clients in accordance with contract and grant requirements.
• Track outstanding receivables and follow up on delayed payments or discrepancies.
• Process and record all federal award drawdowns and reimbursements.

General Ledger and Reconciliations

(25%)

• Prepare journal entries, adjusting entries, and closing entries as needed.
• Support month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Perform regular bank reconciliations and ensure all transactions are accurately reflected in accounting records.
• Reconcile credit card and balance sheet general ledger accounts monthly.
• Identify, investigate, and correct discrepancies promptly.

Compliance

(25%)

• 1099 Reporting:
  • Prepare and issue annual Form 1099-NEC/MISC to vendors in compliance with IRS regulations.
  • Maintain accurate vendor records to ensure timely and accurate year-end reporting.
• Audit and Reporting Support:
  • Provide accurate schedules and reconciliations to auditors and management as requested.
  • Assist with annual audits, single audits (if applicable), and other financial reviews.
  • Support the Finance Department in preparing accurate schedules, reports, and grant-related reconciliations.
• Regulatory and Standards Compliance:
  • Ensure all accounting activities and records comply with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
  • Adhere to all applicable rules and regulations set forth by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and other relevant state and federal authorities.
• Perform other duties and special projects in support of the department as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field desired. Internship or relevant coursework experience is a plus.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and proactively in a remote environment.
• Well organized with high attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with geographically dispersed colleagues.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including phone, email, and video conferencing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Adobe software.
• Reliable high-speed internet and a dedicated home workspace.
• Personal commitment to American Rivers’ mission.
• Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferrable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

LOCATION

Remote within AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, NM, NY, NV, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI, NY and WY.

COMPENSATION

American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $52,600-$64,200, annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Pay rates are offered in compliance with all applicable state wage and hour regulations.

We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.

At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee’s well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do – we Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).

We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group, fostering open communication and continuous improvement.

At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.

American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at or . Please note that one week’s advance notice is preferred.

Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States.

American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Candidates of all personal and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

JOB TITLE: Junior Staff Accountant

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: Associate

SALARY BAND: B

REPORTS TO: Director, Finance & Accounting

LOCATION: Remote