Associate Director, Operational Accounting

Earthjustice

1d•Remote

About The Position

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer. Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. Reporting to the Controller, the Associate Director, Operational Accounting oversees the accounts payable and payroll functions and is responsible for the accurate and timely management of related general ledger accounts, payroll and benefits accounting, and compliance activities, including the annual ERISA audit and ongoing 403(b) plan compliance. The Associate Director plays a key role in safeguarding the organization’s financial assets by ensuring strong operational controls, consistent application of accounting policies, and adherence to GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements. The Associate Director ensures that financial policies and procedures related to operational accounting are established, maintained, and enforced; that transactions are recorded accurately and in a timely manner; and that adequate controls are in place to mitigate risk and support audit readiness. The Associate Director partners closely with the Controller and cross-functional teams to support audits, resolve operational accounting matters, and drive continuous improvement of financial processes. The Associate Director is an organizational leader in operational accounting and compliance, serves on the Finance Leadership Team, and contributes to the overall effective functioning of the organization. The Associate Director ensures that staff receive appropriate training, guidance, and support to be successful and leads collaborative efforts to strengthen financial operations, while representing the organization’s values, mission, and commitment to justice and equity. The Associate Director, Operational Accounting is expected to work a full-time (37.5 hours/week) schedule, and can be permanently remote (in the U.S.). There is also opportunity to work from an Earthjustice office if located nearby and interested in working from an office space. This is a supervisory position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field.
Minimum of seven years’ experience of increasing complexity in accounting, preferably in a non-profit setting, including at least five years of management experience.
Retirement plan administration experience required.
Payroll experience with a medium- to large- sized, multi-state organization required.
Knowledge of and experience applying GAAP in organizational settings.
Proficiency with accounting packages, payroll software and Office365.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial information.
Strong judgment and analytical problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to assess organizational needs, identify issues proactively, and implement effective policies and solutions while upholding integrity and financial objectives.
Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
Skill in leading diverse teams with emotional intelligence and cultural competence; fosters growth through mentorship, effective communication, and constructive feedback while hiring and developing team talents to align with organizational needs.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee payroll and accounts payable operations, including payroll processing and approvals, vendor payments, benefit and retirement plan transactions (403(b), 457(b)), and related operational accounting (e.g., rent and insurance), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely resolution of discrepancies through regular reconciliations.
Strengthen controls, systems, and processes by assessing financial and operational risks, implementing and maintaining effective internal controls, and evaluating systems, workflows, integrations, and vendor pricing to improve efficiency, scalability, and data integrity.
Develop people and drive continuous improvement, ensuring teams have the tools, training, and resources to meet performance and compliance objectives, and documenting and enhancing procedures as needs evolve.
Lead and support cross-functional operational accounting projects, partnering with internal stakeholders to address evolving business needs.
Manage relationships with departments across the organization, anticipating strategic needs that may require updates to financial policies, systems, workflows, or risk management practices.
Manage staff communications related to operational accounting priorities, deadlines, system changes, and process updates.
Manage retirement plan audits, filings, and compliance, including oversight of the ERISA audit for the 403(b) plan; coordination of audit timelines, internal responsibilities, and external auditors; preparation, review, and timely filing of Form 5500 and related schedules; ongoing plan administration in partnership with TPAs and internal teams; monitoring plan activity and regulatory compliance; and coordination of required nondiscrimination testing.
Support the financial statement audit by reviewing payroll and accounts payable audit schedules and supporting documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance; coordinating cross-functionally to gather audit samples; tracking auditor deadlines; reviewing materials prior to submission; and ensuring timely, accurate responses during audit fieldwork.
Proactively assess compliance risks related to payroll, benefits, retirement plans, insurance, and accounts payable, recommending corrective actions as needed.
Set and lead the vision for operational accounting, managing payroll and accounts payable teams through clear communication, coaching, goal setting, performance evaluation, and development; and establishing clear roles, expectations, and opportunities for growth.
Uphold Earthjustice’s mission and values by fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment, providing clear direction and feedback, and promoting a culture of learning for all team members.
Oversee relevant administrative, budgeting, and personnel management of direct reports, ensuring that all organizational policies and standards are met.
Actively pursue professional development and contribute to a culture of learning by building skills and sharing knowledge.