Senior Accountant

Who We Are

The Clean Fight is a not-for-profit business accelerator working to significantly speed the growth of the inclusive clean energy economy in New York State and beyond. Our mission is to innovate models of adoption to accelerate the deployment of climate solutions. Given that many of the technologies we need to solve the climate crisis already exist, it’s imperative that we ensure they are adopted quickly, and at scale. To enable this adoption, The Clean Fight creates, runs, and iterates different programs (models of adoption) to identify which can have the greatest impact, at speed.

The Clean Fight currently has a few core programs. The accelerator program plays an important role in the New York State innovation ecosystem as the only accelerator focused on growth-stage companies, providing an essential next step for innovative climate companies looking to move from initial deployment to broad market adoption. We help them to quickly scale in NY by providing tailored support, high-touch customer and capital partner matchmaking, and non-dilutive investments to help with demonstration projects and deployments. Each cohort focuses on a different part of the clean energy economy: our practice areas include buildings and energy storage. Our second program, The Empire Technology Prize, is a $10M prize program focused on the development and deployment of leapfrog decarbonization solutions for New York’s tall buildings. We will also be launching an Energy Storage challenge later this year. 

We are supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). We are a chapter of New Energy Nexus, an international not-for-profit that strives to achieve a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population in the shortest time possible by supporting diverse clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators, and networks, operating programs in the US, China, India, Southeast Asia, and East Africa.

About the Role

The Clean Fight is looking for a Senior Accountant as we prepare for continued growth and program expansion. You will work directly with our Director of Finance and Operations to support the full range of financial management functions required to deliver our world-class programs. The person in this role should bring strong attention to detail and experience in nonprofit financial management and federal grant reporting and compliance. You will be responsible for overseeing various accounting functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance, and providing strategic financial insights to support the organization's day-to-day operations. The Senior Accountant will also support grants management for a $3M pool of grant funds made available through NYSERDA and directed towards growth-stage companies participating in our cohort program and a $10M prize pool for the Empire Technology Prize. 

If you have a passion for clean energy, entrepreneurship, enjoy process design, operational excellence and enabling organizations and people to succeed, this position may be for you! The team has an office in New York City, near Madison Square Park at Rise NY. For this role we are open to remote or hybrid arrangements. This is an outcomes-based position that could be structured as full time or part time depending on the skills and qualifications of the right candidate. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is not available.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, conscientious, and interested in supporting the clean energy transition. This position requires a strong background in US GAAP accounting principles and non-profit accounting, experience managing federal government grants, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Our ideal candidate will bring a solid background in budgeting, financial forecasting, and federal grant compliance.

The Senior Accountant will be responsible for all daily general accounting related duties, including a broad range of transactional, reconciliation, and other financial management activities. The successful candidate will have a "roll-up-the-sleeves" attitude, is inherently hands-on, and ready to take the next step forward in their career to help us plan and strategize as our programming expands.  They thrive in a start-up environment and are self-motivated, solutions-oriented, resourceful, and able to prioritize and multitask.

Key Responsibilities

 

General Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure accuracy of financial records using QuickBooks Online. 
• Manage AP/AR, payroll processing, expense reporting and reimbursements, bank transfers, and other bookkeeping tasks. The Clean Fight currently contracts with an external accountant. 
• Prepare monthly close workbooks including financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and budget projections.

• Ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end closing processes, including bank reconciliations, 1099 prep and annual filing requirements. 

• Review invoices against contracts and ensure accuracy, appropriate approvals, cost allocations, and an organized filing system; resolve any vendor questions or disputes.
• Collect W9s and ensure accurate 1099 information and reporting. 
• Make suggestions to management on money management and ensure cash accounts are maintained at proper levels to meet cash requirements and appropriate FDIC deposit insurance.
• Support external audits and provide necessary documentation as required. The Clean Fight consolidates financials up to our parent organization for annual audit and tax reporting.
• Oversee PEO relationship (Justworks), including payroll processing and benefits administration for onboarding/offboarding employees and annual renewals. Ensure HR compliance in all regards. 
• Manage D&O, general liability, and other insurance policies; request COIs as required. 
• Manage other outsourced functions using third party vendors (bill.com, Expensify, QBO, Vestwell, etc)

Federal Grants Compliance and Contract Management

• Ensure that requirements for all incoming grants and contracts are systematically captured and met.
• Ensure program, processes, and policies conform to all federal government requirements. 
• Develop reports and forecasting models to calculate incurred costs and indirect rates using the DCAA ICE model; analyze indirect cost drivers.
• Ensure proper time tracking protocols are followed and staff time allocations are appropriate.
• Ensure direct cost allocations are accurate and program budgets stay on track. 
• Ensure organization is up-to-date on all new rules and regulations as they pertain to our grants, contracts, and financial management activities.
• Manage Single Audits.
• Coordinate with federal agencies and navigate federal government submission portals (grantsonline, ASAP, OTT PICS, VIPERS, etc)
• Scale compliance capabilities and integrating related systems as needed.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Serve as project budgeting expert on the team,providing guidance, training, tools and templates for accounting related processes.
• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts in collaboration with relevant staff.
• Monitor regular budget performance and provide forecasting to support decision-making.
• Build integrated budgeting and reporting workflows that satisfy multiple reporting objectives.
• Analyze financial data and provide insights into trends, variances, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Support the budgeting and compilation of financial information for new funding proposals. 

Grants Management

• Provide administrative support across the full grants life cycle. This includes database management of pre/post award processing, contracting, tracking payments, reviewing milestone submissions, and regular communication with grantees. 
• Oversee the release of funds for awarded grants. 
• Monitor active grants to ensure adequate reporting and appropriate usage of funds.
• Produce standard and ad hoc reports on program expenses and grant making activities.
• Ensure files and records are kept in good order.
• Support program team in the evaluation, analysis, or due diligence of projects or proposals for grant funding. 
• Assists in the coordination of grant program logistics, including grant application opening, collection of submissions, coordination of investment committee meetings, notifying awardees, hosting virtual education sessions, and board meeting prep. 

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities for process enhancements to streamline accounting procedures to improve efficiency.
• Create and maintain financial management documentation, including policy and controls and an annual calendar of activities. 
• Implement best practices in financial operations to achieve operational excellence.
• Support the organization as we build tools and competencies for data management and analysis.  
• Develop and communicate policies and procedures as required. Conduct training sessions to improve the team's skills and knowledge.

Note: This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the Senior Accountant role at The Clean Fight. Specific responsibilities may vary based on the organization's needs and priorities.

 

Skills & Competencies

• Working knowledge of NFP accounting, TRNA restricted grant budget management and reporting, audit.
• Working knowledge of Federal Cost Principles (2 CFR 200) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Familiarity with cost allocation methodologies.
• Ability and patience to read and comprehend complex contracts and regulations and design and support smart (resource efficient /effective) workflows and controls that are additional to or separate from standard organizational processes.
• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Experience reading financial statements, preparing and analyzing 990 tax reports, and managing audits.
• Strong with spreadsheets and data manipulation.
• Tech-savvy with the ability to quickly become a team “expert” on SaaS tools (Asana, Google apps, Microsoft Office, Airtable, Hubspot, etc.)
• Excellent written and verbal skills to create internal and external communication pieces ranging from detailed audit trails to executive summaries and board presentations. 
• Experience with HR compliance, payroll, recordkeeping, filings, min wage rules, FLMA, and other associated tasks is a plus.
• Experience in reporting on match share requirements on grants is a plus. 
• Experience drafting budgets for proposal development is a plus.
• Experience with ESG, mission related investments, impact investments, venture capital, accelerators, or other related activities is a plus. 
• Experience developing board materials, finance or investment committee policies/procedures, and internal control documents a plus. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field. CPA or equivalent certification is preferred. Advanced degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline is a plus.
• 7-10+ years of experience in financial accounting or controller management positions. Significant track record of progressively responsible experience in budgeting and forecasting.
• Advanced knowledge of GAAP and accounting concepts.
• Experience working in a non-profit organization that receives and manages US federal government grants. Experience with DOD, USAID, DOE, NIH, DoC, EDA contracts strongly preferred. 
• Experienced bookkeeper (QuickBooks).
• Expert level in Excel.
• Prior experience creating and managing complex, dynamic, multi-program budgets, staff time allocations, and cash-flow projections with clear audit trails. 
• Prior experience with independent audits, Single Audits, and / or other program audits.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in the climate, clean energy, and/or sustainability world is helpful but not required.

Key Attributes

• Thoughtful, conscientious, and collaborative.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and provide meaningful insights.
• Solutions-oriented and resourceful in an all-hands-on-deck work environment.
• Detail-oriented and able to maintain a high level of accuracy in work.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Knows when to ask questions, resourceful, and able to navigate through roadblocks with patience, ease and flexibility.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems with multi-dimensional constraints.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to examine and solve problems quickly and creatively.
• Ability to be nimble in a constantly changing environment and work independently with strong planning and prioritization skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and find solutions for concurrent conflicting challenges.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive compensation ($110-140k, commensurate with experience and prorated for less than full time)
• Benefits package including fully paid medical, dental, vision, and parental leave. 
• Contribution to a 401k plan
• Unlimited PTO
• Opportunity to contribute to the growth of a dynamic organization in the renewable energy field.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.

How to Apply

We value and celebrate diversity among our employees and in our movement. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, family/marital status, or veteran status.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to the Workable application portal by clicking on the APPLY FOR THIS JOB button at the bottom of the application page.