Senior Accounting Manager

CommUnify; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CommUnify in Santa Barbara, CA is seeking a Senior Accounting Manager to lead the nonprofit organization's accounting operations across multiple programs and funding sources. This full-time, hybrid role focuses on accurate financial reporting, internal controls, and strategic financial planning.

You will supervise staff, partner with program leaders, ensure grant compliance, and support audits and policy improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting financial statements for nonprofit programs.
• Strong analytical skills for leadership insight.
• Journal entries, GL management, and reconciliations accuracy.
• Budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and grant reporting strengths.
• Fixed asset accounting and depreciation knowledge.
• Progressive accounting experience with supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations across programs and funding sources.
• Prepare, review, and analyze financial statements and reports.
• Supervise accounting staff and ensure timely entries and reconciliations.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and grant requirements.
• Assist with annual audits and policy development.
• Contribute to strategic financial planning.

Skills

Nonprofit accounting

Fund accounting

Financial analysis

Grant reporting

Supervisory experience

Financial statements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

Accounting software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Company Description

CommUnify, formerly the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to unifying the community to address inequalities and improve quality of life. The organization collaborates with local partners to support over 12,000 residents each year through education, health, and financial stability services. CommUnify operates Head Start and Early Head Start centers, provides hundreds of thousands of healthy meals to low-income children and seniors, and offers utility assistance, youth mentorship, and a 2-1-1 Health & Human Services Resource Helpline. With programs that promote independence and resilience for individuals of all ages, CommUnify focuses on economic security and self-sufficiency for Santa Barbara County residents.

Role Description

The Senior Accounting Manager is a full-time, hybrid role based in Santa Barbara, CA, with some flexibility for work from home. This position oversees the organization’s accounting operations, including the preparation, review, and analysis of financial statements and reports for multiple programs and funding sources. The Senior Accounting Manager supervises accounting staff, ensures accurate journal entries, reconciliations, and maintenance of the general ledger, and manages fixed asset accounting and depreciation schedules. Day-to-day responsibilities include monitoring cash flow, supporting budgeting and forecasting, ensuring compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and grant requirements, and collaborating with program leaders to provide financial insights. The role also supports annual audits, develops and improves accounting policies and procedures, and contributes to strategic financial planning to sustain and grow CommUnify’s community impact.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial statements, with strong knowledge of nonprofit or fund accounting.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for leadership and program teams.
• Proficiency in journal entries, general ledger management, and account reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of financial records.
• Experience in finance functions such as budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and grant or contract financial reporting.
• Knowledge of fixed asset accounting, including capitalization policies, asset tracking, and depreciation calculations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or CMA certification preferred.
• Progressive accounting or finance experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities, ideally in a nonprofit or public sector environment.
• Proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions for financial analysis and reporting.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and to support mission-driven decision-making.
• Commitment to equity, community service, and CommUnify’s mission of improving economic security and self-suff