Staff Accountant

Sonoma Resource Conservation District; Santa Rosa (CA); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(a) Retirement Plan

457(b) Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Sonoma Resource Conservation District is seeking a Staff Accountant to manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll support for a mission-driven nonprofit. You will ensure grant and contract compliance, assist with budgets, and help maintain robust accounting systems.

You will report to the Finance Manager and collaborate with a team of professionals to deliver accurate financials and timely reporting across programs and grants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field.
• 2–3 years of professional accounting experience.
• Equivalent education/experience will be considered.
• Working knowledge of fund accounting and GAAP.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks Desktop and MS Office with strong Excel skills.
• Demonstrated budgeting experience.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex funding source rules.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication.
• Self-directed, proactive, and collaborative.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly/quarterly grant and contract invoices and reports.
• Ensure timely receivables and deposit processing.
• Reconcile statements to budgets and provide monthly reporting.
• Serve as liaison with staff and funders on awards.
• Assist with budget development, amendments, and closeouts.
• Enter invoices, process payroll, and manage vendor files.
• Support monthly close, journal entries, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Contribute to internal controls, policies, and annual audits.
• Assist with procurement and grant administration.

Skills

Fund accounting

GAAP

QuickBooks

Excel

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Airtable

Job description

Employer: Sonoma Resource Conservation District

Work Location: Main office in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California, with option for partial remote work following 90-day introductory period.

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (1.0 FTE)

Starting Compensation: $32.93 – $40.51 per hour, depending on work experience related to preferred qualifications listed.

Posting Date: September 21, 2026

Estimated Start: December 2026, or after, depending on availability.

Organizational Background

The Sonoma RCD (RCD) is a non-regulatory, local government entity empowered to manage soil, water, fish, and wildlife resources for conservation. In existence since the 1940s, RCDs are local grassroots conservation delivery systems that identify local conservation problems and guide solutions on a voluntary basis. The RCD covers 85% of Sonoma County and includes portions of the Russian River, Petaluma River, Sonoma Creek, Stemple Creek, and Gualala River Watersheds. The RCD has a budget of $4.5MM and is almost exclusively grant and contract funded. Our mission is carried out by a governing board of seven directors (Board) and an interdisciplinary team of 18 professionals through four programs: agriculture, forestry, water resources, and community engagement.

For more information visit our website at sonomarcd.org

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The RCD is committed to incorporating justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to evaluate, enhance, and expand our programming, deepen our connections with community partners, and strive to better serve our entire District. We recognize the importance of working to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable culture within our organization to effectively serve our District, improve access to economic opportunity, and create landscape-scale resilience for our current and future generations. We strive to ensure that water, soil, working lands, and wildlife habitats are conserved for all as we promote collaboration, employ innovative solutions based on science, respect our diverse communities and their connections to land, and empower members of our community to be active stewards of our natural and cultural resources.

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, detail-oriented accounting professional who is motivated to support mission-driven organization. Reporting to the Finance Manager and working closely with the fiscal and administration team under limited supervision, the Staff Accountant is responsible for accounts payable and accounts receivable functions and provides support for payroll processing. This role plays a critical part in ensuring sound financial management of grant and contract awards, maintaining compliance with funding source requirements, and supporting the effective delivery of Sonoma RCD programs, while also contributing to the development and maintenance of accounting, payroll, and grants systems and processes that are essential to the organization’s overall financial and operational success.

Essential Functions

Accounts Receivable/Grants Administration

• – Prepare all monthly/quarterly grant and contract invoices and financial/compliance reports.
• – Ensure timely submission and collection of receivables.
• – Prepare bank deposits.
• – Reconcile financial statements to budgets and provide program staff with monthly budget vs. actual reporting.
• – Serve as the point of contact for staff and funders regarding financial management of awards.
• – Work closely with program staff on budget development, amendments, and closeouts.
• – Monitor individual grants, contracts, and related transactions for compliance with applicable funder guidelines and regulations, including matching funds requirements.

Accounts Payable/Payroll

• – Enter invoices, record credit card transactions, and perform check runs.
• – Manage vendor files, including maintaining W-9 information and filing annual 1099’s.
• – Assist with semi-monthly payroll processing.

General Financial Tasks

• – Assist with expense allocations and the monthly close process, including adjusting journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.
• – Participate in the improvement of internal controls, fiscal policies and procedures.
• – Support the annual budget process and financial audit.
• – Assist with procurement.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• – Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in accounting, finance or related field.
• – Two to three (2–3) years of professional accounting experience.
• – An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience will be considered.
• – Working knowledge of fund accounting and GAAP.
• – Highly proficient in QuickBooks Desktop and MS Office with strong Excel skills.
• – Demonstrated budgeting experience.
• – Ability to interpret, implement, and communicate the complex laws, regulations, and policies of diverse funding sources.
• – Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• – Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• – Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to identify needs, solve problems, and follow through with minimal supervision.
• – Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and commitment to support colleagues and organizational goals.
• – Passionate about the conservation of natural resources.

Desired But Not Required Qualifications, Knowledge, and Abilities

• – Government or nonprofit accounting experience.
• – Intermediate Airtable experience.

Work Environment

Work in the main office is performed in a professional office environment that includes the operation of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, calculators, and filing cabinets. Moderate noise levels.

Physical Requirements

Work in the office requires frequently remaining in a stationary position, operating a computer and other standard office equipment, conversing by telephone and in person. Some kneeling, bending, grasping, reaching, and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds required. Near and far visual acuity required for expansive reading, computer operation, and editing of documents.

Compensation/Benefits

The starting compensation for this position is $32.93 – $40.51 per hour, depending on experience. Benefits for this position include employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% coverage for employee; dependent coverage available at 100% cost to the employee); $50,000 employer-sponsored life insurance policy; a 401(a) retirement plan with a non-matching employer contribution of 5.00% and the option to make voluntary pre-tax contributions into a 457(b) plan; paid time off and holiday leave; and an employee assistance program. No relocation assistance will be provided.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment for applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment. Applicants given a conditional offer of employment will be required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further.

The Sonoma Resource Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer where all aspects of employment are based on competence, merit, and performance. Weprohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability,medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, and any other status protected by state or federal law.