Accounting Assistant

Gardening the Community is a BIPOC-led urban agriculture organization engaged in youth development and advancing racial justice to build healthy and equitable communities. We work with youth to grow food on reclaimed abandoned lots in the Mason Square community of Springfield. We partner with the Springfield Food Policy Council on advocacy campaigns for increased access to healthy food and greater food security for historically marginalized residents. The impact of our work is far beyond growing vegetables. GTC contributes to the local and statewide food and racial justice movements that seek to change the root causes of the poor health and unjust food systems facing communities (especially low- income communities and communities of color across the State. We are creating locally controlled food resources that support our young people, build community and offer sustainable alternatives to Springfield families.

GTC is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE (tsne.org).

The Accounting Assistant is responsible for providing accounting, financial and administrative support to ensure the smooth operational functioning of Gardening the Community, particularly as it relates to handling cash and check deposits from sales and events, processing markets and wholesale operation transactions, invoicing, contract and grants management and data analysis and tracking.

Essential Functions

• Prepares invoices in Concur for approval by the Director;
• Prepares receipts and submissions for monthly Concur expense reports;.
• Review staff financial reports for accuracy and appropriate grant and expense allocations;
• Reconcile wireless terminal receipts and assign project and activity codes and submit for internal GTC designee approval;
• Reconcile donations recorded through fiscal sponsor (TSNE) with GTC CRM payment processor records;
• Input sales data and produce purchase invoices into a market spreadsheet; provide relevant monthly reports to the Director;
• Prepare monthly invoices for wholesale customers and sponsors and track and oversee overdue accounts;
• Organize and update vendor and contractor accounts in Concur;
• Monitor grants expense allocations to ensure expenses are being allocated properly and prepare reports for the Director;
• Work on special projects that require analysis and evaluation of data.

 Additional Requirements

• Completion of Undoing Racism Workshop;
• Other duties as assigned.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• High school diploma or equivalent required;
• Two year degree, preferably in accounting or related field;
• Two years experience in bookkeeping, accounting, financial management or related field, preferred;
• Word processing and data entry skills;
• Microsoft Office application skills:  Word and Excel;
• Ability to understand and communicate complex work-related instructions and problems;
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Experience with Concur or other automated expense accounting;
• Experience with complex spreadsheets and data analysis, preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and to the mission of GTC;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Successful Driver’s License Check, preferred;
• Successful Background/CORI Check;
• Knowledge of the Springfield community.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Work on a farm site;
• Work in a retail environment;
• Work in a retail farm store environment and in close proximity to other workers;
• Travel between farm sites;
• Exposure to inclement weather on occasion;
• Handle, objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position;
• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location:Work will be primarily performed remotely. Occasionally work will be done at Gardening the Community in Springfield, MA.

Schedule: The hours for this position will be flexible up to 10 hours a week. This role may require the ability to work occasional mornings, nights and weekends.

Compensation: The pay range for this position is $18 - $19/hr.

Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

TSNE/GTC strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/GTC prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/GTC celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/GTC's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.