Staff Accountant

Title:                       Staff Accountant – (Non-profit experience required)
Classification:    Full-Time, 40-hour work week non-exempt 
Reports to:           Director of Finance  
Compensation:  $33.65 – $36.05/hour 
Schedule:              Monday-Friday, occasional evening and weekend hours as needed   

About Lotusland:  
Ganna Walska Lotusland is a 37-acre botanical garden and historic estate located in Montecito featuring a collection of over 3,000 plant species from around the world as well as historically significant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.  Since opening to the public in 1993, Ganna Walska Lotusland has grown to become one of the world’s premier botanical gardens and a center for sustainable garden practices, horticultural education, and plant conservation.   

Mission Statement:  
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the distinctive botanical gardens and estate of Madame Ganna Walska. Lotusland educates and inspires visitors with its collections, sustainable horticulture practices, and plant conservation.  

Position Description:  
The position is an integral part of the Finance department working closely with the Director of Finance to ensure accurate and timely delivery of financial and accounting reports, including but not limited to budgeting, inventory control, month end statements and payroll reconciliations. The successful candidate will be detail oriented, maintain professional integrity, take a hands-on approach to problem solving and be a team player. A wonderful opportunity for a conscientious accountant to become intimately involved in the financial aspects of a non-profit organization operating in a beautiful and serene environment.  

Key Responsibilities:  

 
Finance and Accounting   

• Under the supervision of the Director of Finance will work with the contract accounting firm, managing, and reviewing accounting functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory control, and fixed assets.  

• Review all journal entries, monthly bank reconciliations, and analyses for cash and other accounts. 

• Review, maintain and reconcile the general ledger.  

• Reviews bi-weekly payroll ensuring accuracy of all wages, benefits, and accrual adjustments before presenting to Director of Finance for final approval.  

Audit  

• Prepare and review audit schedules and work with external auditors as required and requested by the Director of Finance.  

• Provides external auditors with assistance; gathers necessary account information and documents to perform annual audit.  

Budgeting  

• Assists Director of Finance to develop annual operating and capital budgets – for both restricted and unrestricted projects.  

• Enters budget data and adjustments into financial accounting software and reconciles any differences.  

• Maintains accurate records for all transactions affecting budget preparation.  

Other Duties:   

• Collaborate with management teams to work on various accounting projects such as: capital improvement projects, grant reporting, and other projects as required.   

• Maintains files for legal documents, permits, contracts and grants.   

• Maintains, updates and is responsible for internal accounting procedures and guidelines, including communication with staff to ensure understanding and compliance.  

Knowledge and Abilities:    

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.   

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

• Understanding of and the ability to adhere to generally accepted accounting principles.  

• The ability to manage multiple spreadsheets and large amounts of data.  

• Proficient in QuickBooks, Shopify, Paylocity, and Microsoft Office Suite.  

• Demonstrates experience in knowledge of accounting theory and practices for non-profits desirable.  

• Promotes and adheres to the company’s mission, vision, and values.  

• Represents the organization in a professional manner to all customers, vendors, and internal personnel.  

Qualifications and Experience:     

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or related field, required.  

• At least three years of related accounting experience required of accounting or bookkeeping experience to include, but not limited to: double-entry accounting (debits, credits), and reconciliations; understands the chart of accounts, trial balance, and balance sheet.  

• Nonprofit experience is required. 

Work Environment:    

• Lotusland’s administrative offices are on a historic 2-story estate in a 37-acre garden.   

• General office environment within the garden setting of Lotusland.   

• Requires working outside during events and the ability to comfortably move around the garden.   

• Frequent work on the telephone and computer (repetitive movement – typing)    

• Frequent standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs and bending with occasional lifting of light to moderate loads (25 lbs.)    

• Occasional driving of company electric golf carts.   

The responsibilities and deliverables listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the individual in the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and/or skills. Other tasks will be assigned as needed.     

  Benefits   

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.    

• 403(b) Retirement plans.    

• Paid vacation and sick leave.    

• Paid holidays.   

  Additional Information   

• Employment background/criminal check is required.  

Lotusland Core Values:   

Accountability: We take ownership of the commitments we make, holding ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions, both to ourselves and those we lead.   

Teamwork and Collaboration: Our roles are interdependent, requiring intentional collaboration within teams to consistently achieve our mission.   

Communication: Effective communication is crucial for building trust among our staff, board, and the larger community. We strive to share information clearly, consistently, and in a timely manner to foster understanding and commitment across our organization.   

Trust: We aim to cultivate mutual respect and open communication throughout the organization. Employees are encouraged to openly share their perspectives and feel secure in taking risks to enhance our effectiveness.   

Integrity: Aligned with our guiding principles of honesty, fairness, and decency, we promote a strong ethic of integrity among individuals and leaders.   

Lotusland is an equal opportunity employer. We acknowledge that equal employment opportunity for all persons is a fundamental human value. Each employee will be considered based on individual ability and merit, without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or marital status.   

To learn more, visit us at www.lotusland.org