Staff Accountant

Location: Remote (but able to travel within the Santa Cruz region occasionally)

Reports To: Lead Accountant

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $55k - $65k

About Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT)

Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded by Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to protect Tribal sacred sites and to promote Indigenous stewardship of lands within Amah Mutsun traditional territory and the adjacent Awaswas stewardship area through research, conservation, restoration, and education.

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band is comprised of the descendants of Indigenous people taken to Missions San Juan Bautista and Santa Cruz. Amah Mutsun's ancestors were forcibly removed from their lands and confined in missions during Spanish colonization. Today, the descendants of those few who survived Euro-American colonialism are working to revitalize their Indigenous culture and heal from the legacy of historic trauma. In pursuit of these goals, AMLT supports the Tribe’s work to renew their sacred obligation to care for Mother Earth and all beings; to reconnect Tribe members with Indigenous culture, history, and territory; and to teach non-Indigenous allies about and involve them in actively caring for our living world.

AMLT’s Core Programs and Approaches include:

• The Native Stewardship Corps, a work training, cultural relearning, and conservation fieldwork program for Tribal members.
• The Native Plant Program, in which Native stewards and volunteers work together to propagate native plants for land stewardship/restoration projects, Tribal cultural uses, and other purposes.
• The Cultural Burning Program is working to train a team of Tribal practitioners to renew and implement cultural burning land stewardship systems.
• The Coastal and Ocean Stewardship Program, which aims to connect with, monitor, protect, and enhance a diverse suite of coastal resources, such as shellfish and kelp forests.
• The Sacred Land Defense Program protects sacred sites from development and other impacts that could harm these places.
• Research and Education Programs that promote Indigenous perspectives in resource management, including the Coastal Stewardship Summer Camp for tribal youth.
• Land Ownership and Cultural Easements for protection and care in perpetuity.

AMLT has grown dramatically over the past several years, and we expect the number, breadth, and depth of these programs and supporting staff will continue to expand.

Position Overview

Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) is seeking a mission-driven, detail-loving Staff Accountant to join our growing team. This is more than a financial operations role—it's an opportunity to support a powerful movement to protect Indigenous homelands, revitalize cultural practices, and heal from historic injustices.

As Staff Accountant, you will play an essential role in the financial health and sustainability of AMLT. Your expertise will ensure that we can effectively steward resources in service of sacred site protection, Indigenous land restoration, and community education. From managing payroll and accounts receivable to ensuring contract compliance and accurate reporting, your precision and care will help power programs that reconnect people with land and tradition.

You will work cross-functionally with AMLT’s program teams and departments to ensure financial processes are aligned, transparent, and supportive of our collective goals. This collaboration is key to supporting the day-to-day operations and long-term vision of our dynamic and evolving organization.

This role offers both meaning and momentum—a chance to grow professionally in a supportive, purpose-filled environment where your skills truly matter.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

1. Payroll Processing
2. Overseeing the entire payroll process, from collecting timekeeping data to distributing payments.
3. Overseeing and maintaining payroll software and systems, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
4. Overseeing payroll tax calculation and remittance, including federal income tax, social security tax, and state and local taxes.
5. Addressing and resolving payroll discrepancies and errors.
6. Ensuring adherence to all applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including the verification of new hire compliance during onboarding and worker compensation. 
7. Accounts Receivable:  
8. Oversee the organization's accounts receivable function, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, receipts, and collections.  
9. Monitor and reconcile accounts receivable transactions, investigating and resolving any discrepancies.  
10. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure proper recording of revenue and assist in resolving any billing or payment issues.  
11. Contract Compliance:  
12. Assist with reviewing contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with financial terms, funding restrictions, and regulatory requirements. 
13. Work closely with program managers and project leads to track expenditures and monitor budgetary compliance.  
14. Prepare financial reports for donors and assist in audits related to contract compliance.  
15. General Accounting:  
16. Maintain audit compliance, accurate and up-to-date financial records, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and general ledger entries in the Sage Intacct system.  
17. Assist in month-end and year-end closing activities, including financial statement preparation and analysis.  
18. Collaborate with the finance team to develop and implement efficient accounting processes and procedures.  
19. Assist with the preparation for external audits.  
20. Assist with the preparation of tax returns and filings, including 1099 Forms and annual 403(b) plan filings.  
21. Financial Analysis and Reporting:  
22. Assist in the preparation of financial reports, budgets, and forecasts to support decision-making processes.  
23. Provide support for grant reporting, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and accurate financial reporting.  

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (preferred), or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in accounting or financial management, preferably in a nonprofit environment.  
• Familiarity with Sage Intacct.
• Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Proficient in using accounting software and Microsoft Excel.  
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with acute attention to detail.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Passion for numbers and dedication to accuracy in financial reporting.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Frequent: bending, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, and walking.
• Intermittent lifting, pushing, and pulling. Frequent repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and extensive reading.

Work Environment and Culture

AMLT is committed to creating a workplace that honors Indigenous knowledge systems, fosters collaboration, and supports professional and personal growth. We value humility, curiosity, reciprocity, and a deep respect for the land and each other. As part of our team, you’ll be joining a dynamic and growing organization that prioritizes healing, equity, and cultural renewal.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, permanent, non-exempt position that includes the following benefits:

• Option to enroll in employer-supported medical, dental, and vision insurance,
• 15 days of personal time off (PTO) 
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Reimbursement for work-related travel using a personal vehicle at the federal rate.

The salary range is $55,000 to $65,000 a year, depending on experience.

Work Location and Travel

This is a remote position, but you must be able to travel weekly throughout Amah Mutsun Land Trust’s stewardship area, encompassing southern Santa Clara County, northern San Benito County, southern San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, and northern Monterey County.

To Apply

Please complete the application, submit a resume, and a cover letter. AMLT actively seeks those with strong tribal connections, preferably with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band (AMTB) or another indigenous organization to fill this role. Please share your experience with the AMTB or other indigenous organizations, how this connection will help you succeed in this role, and why you are drawn to the mission of AMLT.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.