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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 bookkeeper.
- 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 (~~~, Expensify, QBO, Vestwell 401k, etc)
- Provide administrative support for small grant program administered by The Clean Fight through the full grants cycle. This includes database management of pre/post award processing, contracting, tracking payments, reviewing milestone submissions, and regular communication with grantees.
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.
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.
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BA/BS/Undergraduate