Accountant

Job Description

Accountant | Virginia Zoo

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at the Virginia Zoo, located in Norfolk, VA. The Virginia Zoo is a 53-acre facility, home to over 700 animals and 150 species, committed to inspiring the community to save wildlife and their ecosystems. This role is crucial for maintaining the financial accuracy and operational efficiency of the Zoo, supporting a wide range of essential accounting, payroll, and reporting functions to ensure smooth daily operations.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Norfolk, VA

• Team: Finance team, reports to Director of Finance
• Mission: Ensures the financial accuracy and compliance for the Zoo’s daily operations and strategic goals.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Excel, accounting software, BOA CashPro, Pirate Ship, Clover

What You’ll Actually Do
• Accounts Payable & Vendor Management: Oversee the entire accounts payable process, including managing the accounting inbox, tracking invoice approvals, reconciling vendor accounts, processing payments (checks, ACH, online portals), and administering BOA and Amazon credit card accounts.
• Payroll & Benefit Support: Assist with or coordinate bi-weekly payroll processing, accurately record payroll transactions through journal entries, manage IRA contributions, and process and record benefit invoices and payments for various providers.
• Month-End Close & Reconciliations: Lead or assist with the monthly close process, preparing and entering all necessary journal entries, reconciling both operating and payroll bank accounts, and completing assigned balance sheet reconciliations.
• Tax & Annual Reporting: Prepare, file, and pay monthly Virginia sales and use tax and Norfolk meals tax returns, and assist with annual reporting tasks such as vendor 1099 submissions, tax-exempt filings, and preparation for fiscal year-end and Workers’ Compensation audits.
• Financial Operations & Support: Provide general accounting and administrative support, identify and resolve accounting discrepancies, generate financial reports or account ledgers upon request, and manage equipment maintenance and leases.

The Must-Haves
• Background: An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: 2-5 years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated experience preparing and reconciling balance sheet accounts.
• Skills: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, experience utilizing accounting software for financial transactions and reporting, knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and an understanding of internal control processes and procedures.
• Bonus: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (complex formulas, data analysis, and reporting), experience supporting or participating in financial and compliance audits, and experience working in a nonprofit organization environment.