Staff Accountant

Fetzer-Institute; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

vision

prescription

401 (k)

paid time off

an extensive wellness package

Job summary

The Fetzer Institute seeks a Staff Accountant to provide the operational backbone for the Finance team, handling daily financial transactions, reconciliations, and reporting with accuracy and integrity.

Reporting to the Sr. Accounting Manager and Controller, this full-time, exempt role offers benefits and opportunities to learn across the full finance lifecycle, including close, payroll backup, and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of progressive experience in accounting operations or financial administration.
• Experience managing high-volume transactional workflows and multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of financial systems and payment platforms; strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Process day-to-day financial transactions with accuracy and timeliness.
• Handle accounts payable, vendor records, and 1099 documentation; support Concur workflows.
• Support month-end and year-end close, including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analyses; prepare internal/external reports.
• Provide cross-trained payroll backup and support compliance activities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Staff Accountant

In accordance with our core values of love, trust, authenticity, and belonging, the Fetzer Institute affirms that every person has inherent value and purpose, and that we belong to a sacred community that includesallpeople and allof creation. The Institute welcomes candidates from all backgrounds who are inspired to contribute to our mission of helping build the spiritual foundation for a loving world. Your unique voice is valued, and we are excited to hear from you!

The Staff Accountant plays a foundational role in the daily stewardship of Fetzer's financial resources, ensuring the countless transactions that support our mission are handled with care, accuracy, and integrity. The ideal candidate finds satisfaction in bringing order to complexity, takes pride in the details others may overlook, and understands that every invoice processed, payment made, and account reconciled helps advance meaningful work in the world. They are dependable, naturally curious, and service-minded—someone who enjoys supporting colleagues, solving problems, and continually improving the way work gets done. Working closely with the Sr. Accounting Manager and Controller, this role provides the operational backbone that keeps the Finance team and the Institute moving forward.

While rooted in day-to-day financial operations, this role offers broad exposure across the full finance lifecycle, creating opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute beyond transactional work. The Staff Accountant supports month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, process improvements, payroll backup, and cross-functional collaboration while helping colleagues navigate financial processes with confidence. Success in this role comes from balancing precision with adaptability, embracing continuous learning, and recognizing that thoughtful financial stewardship creates the foundation that allows Fetzer's people and mission to flourish.

The Staff Accountant is a full-time, exempt position.

This position is eligible for benefits.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• prescription
• 401 (k)
• paid time off
• an extensive wellness package

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Processing

Operational Execution & Transaction Processing

• Execute day-to-day financial transactions, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Process journal entries, deposits, account reconciliations, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, and other operational accounting entries.
• Maintain organized financial records and appropriate documentation to support audit readiness and operational continuity.
• Support month-end and year-end close through timely transaction processing and reconciliation.

Accounts Payable, Payments & Expense Processing

• Process accounts payable, disbursements, and payment workflows accurately and on schedule.
• Process project payments through D365, verifying budget items and ensuring timely, accurate payment.
• Maintain vendor records, W-9s, and 1099 documentation; resolve discrepancies and respond to vendor inquiries.
• Process and reconcile expense reports; support Concur travel, expense, and invoice workflows and related controls.
• Assist with check runs, ACH payments, wire transfers, and other payment activities in coordination with the Sr. Accounting Manager.

Payroll & Compliance Support

• Provide cross-trained backup for payroll processing, with training and oversight from the Sr. Accounting Manager.
• Support quarterly tax filings, reporting requirements, and other recurring operational compliance activities.

External Transaction-Based Partnerships

• Serve as a day-to-day operational point of contact for vendors, Concur, and other transaction-based partners on routine matters.
• Support annual insurance renewals — documentation requests, issue tracking, and resolution — in coordination with the Sr. Accounting Manager and broker.
• Maintain effective working relationships that support accurate and efficient financial execution.

Internal Service & Staff Support

• Provide responsive support to staff and organizational stakeholders regarding financial transactions, operational procedures, and payment-related inquiries.
• Help employees and managers navigate financial processes and adhere to organizational procedures.
• Support the monthly and annual close, including journal entries, accruals, and adjustments.
• Process and reconcile monthly credit card statements
• Assist with preparation of internal and external financial reporting and supporting schedules.
• Assist with variance analysis, dashboards, ad hoc analyses, and budgeting / forecasting schedules.
• Support the Controller in translating financial data into clear, useful information.

Operational Accuracy, Controls & Continuity

• Execute transactional and accounting processes consistently and in alignment with organizational policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain documentation, process notes, and workflows that support continuity and sustainability.
• Communicate and address recurring issues, inefficiencies, and operational risks in areas of responsibility.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives that strengthen effectiveness, scalability, and service quality.
• Bridge the operations and reporting sides of the function, ensuring smooth handoffs between transactional inputs and close / reconciliation outputs.

Learning, Inner Work and Community

• Attend the Tuesday morning Community of Freedom Gatherings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT each week.
• Optional 2:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. EDT meditation time, every day.
• Independently directed professional and spiritual development built into your work plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred; relevant experience may substitute.
• 2+ years of progressive experience in accounting operations, accounts payable, or financial administration
• Experience managing high-volume transactional workflows and multiple competing priorities.
• Knowledge of financial systems, payment platforms, and operational accounting processes; strong Excel skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and process consistency.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive financial information.
• Curiosity, initiative, service orientation, and a desire to grow across the full breadth of the Finance function.