Staff Accountant

About One Million Degrees

One Million Degrees accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. Over 60% of students who start community college do not complete a degree or successfully transfer to a four-year institution. However, 84% of jobs in the US require skills training beyond high school. OMD's holistic support model is designed to support community college students as they work toward degrees and careers. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and professional development, OMD helps community college students succeed in school, work, and life, transforming their futures and the futures of those around them for generations.

The OMD student support model is rooted in evaluation and evidence: A randomized controlled trial conducted with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab shows that OMD scholars are 70% more likely to enroll, 94% more likely to persist, and 73% more likely to earn a degree. Currently, OMD serves scholars in all 7 of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and is scaling to reach over 3000 community college scholars by 2026 through our unique partnership with CCC.

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant reports directly to the Controller and provides essential support to the Finance Department’s daily operations. This role assists with routine accounting tasks, monthly close activities, and financial record-keeping to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. The Staff Accountant plays a key role in maintaining strong internal controls, supporting the Development-to-Finance revenue pipeline, and helping advance OMD’s implementation of financial systems such as Ramp and Sage Intacct. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, solutions-driven accounting professional with nonprofit experience who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, hybrid environment.

What You’ll Own

• Assist with month-end close activities, including preparing journal entries, pulling reports, and organizing support.
• Complete routine general ledger reconciliations for cash, prepaid expenses, deposits, and other accounts.
• Support revenue accounting, including daily creation of invoices, reconciling Development fundraising reports to Sage Intacct revenue reports, and ensuring timely recording of all cash receipts.
• Enter and classify cash receipts; ensure proper coding aligned with OMD’s chart of accounts and funding structure.
• Support the full Accounts Payable (A/P) process by entering bills, preparing payment batches, routing approvals, and processing reimbursements ensuring compliance with OMD policies and internal controls.
• Assist in expensing employee benefits costs (health, dental, vision, life insurance), including allocating these costs to funding sources and departments.
• Aid in expensing payroll costs via journals; oversee mapping of payroll categories to Sage Intacct GL Accounts.
• As needed, lead reclassifications of journals such as for adjustments to GL accounts, funding sources, and/or departments.
• Prepare and post journal entries following internal documentation and control requirements.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready files aligned with GAAP, FASB, and OMD’s internal policies.
• Grants, Compliance & Reporting:
  • Help monitor restricted and unrestricted grant expenditures in Sage Intacct.
  • Maintain required vendor compliance documentation including W-9 and assist with 1099 tracking.
  • Support audit preparation, including schedules, reconciliations, documentation requests, and testing samples.
• Systems, Process Improvement & Collaboration:
  • Assist with the rollout and operational use of Ramp for expense management, card controls, and A/P automation.
  • Support improvements to the Development-to-Finance revenue recording process, including reconciling opportunity reports and communicating discrepancies.
  • Contribute to process documentation and ongoing strengthening of internal controls.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience And Skills:
  • 2+ years of accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit environment.
  • Proficiency in accounting software; Sage Intacct strongly preferred.
  • Strong Excel skills, including comfort with smart formulas (Sumifs, Vlookup, etc), reconciliations, and data analysis.
  • Familiarity with grant accounting and fund tracking.
  • Understanding of GAAP, FASB, and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Traits and Competencies:
  • Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills.
  • Demonstrates effective time management and reliably meets all deadlines.
  • An analytical mindset with the ability to interpret financial data and identify trends.
  • Effective communicator able to translate financial concepts for non-Finance staff.
  • Collaborative team player with a commitment to OMD’s values of equity, excellence, community, learning, and amplification.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Compensation And Benefits

• Salary: $63,500 - $73,000 annually*
• Full Health Benefits: Provided for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision.
• Employee Assistance Program: Offers confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and more.
• Retirement Benefits: For full-time employees, OMD offers a 401(k) plan and matches retirement contributions up to 4% of total salary.
• Paid Time Off Policy: Up to 15 days PTO in year one; in addition to two weeks paid time off for winter break.
• Compensatory Time: For certain designated duties performed outside of normal work hours**.
• Monthly Cell Phone and Internet Reimbursement: Up to $50/month.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents.
• Professional Learning Opportunities: OMD supports employee development in areas relevant to professional and organizational goals.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: At least one onsite day required each week; weekly onsite requirements can vary by position and by other considerations, will be established at manager’s discretion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

One Million Degrees is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, and evaluate all candidates based on merit.