Accounting Manager

Job Title: Accounting Manager

Reports to: Director of Finance

Classification: Regular, Full-Time, FLSA Exempt

Pay Range: $120,000 - $145,000 annually DOE

Location: 150 Grand Avenue Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94612

About Us: Bonita House, Inc. is a nonprofit mental health agency with multiple sites in Alameda County and an operating budget of $11.5 million. Founded in 1971, BHI provides social rehabilitation including a full range of Medi-Cal services to adults with co-occurring serious mental health and substance use disorders.

Our Mission: To empower people living with mental health and co-occurring substance use challenges to achieve recovery, self-sufficiency, and deeply connected, meaningful lives within their communities.

Our Values: Compassion: Committed to caring, dignity and kindness. Respect: Honor each individual and provide highly ethical services. Progress: Leading the way in creating opportunities to change for the better. Resilience: Channeling hope, building strengths to successfully recover, adapt and grow. Embracing Differences: Honor and celebrate our diverse communities and individual uniqueness.

Position Summary:


Bonita House is seeking an experienced, collaborative accounting leader to oversee the organization's day-to-day accounting operations and help strengthen the systems, processes, and infrastructure that support our mission.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who brings strong nonprofit accounting expertise while also looking for opportunities to make things work better. The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between the details and the big picture, ensuring accurate financial reporting and strong controls while improving processes, leveraging technology, developing staff, and providing leadership with timely, useful financial information.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, this position leads the accounting function and supervises accounting staff, with responsibility for financial reporting, general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, fund and grant accounting, audit preparation, budgeting support, and financial systems. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful problem-solver and change leader who can bring structure to complex environments, build strong relationships across teams, translate complex financial concepts, and continuously improve how the accounting function operates.

This is an in-person position based in Oakland, CA.

Responsibilities:

Lead Accounting Operations

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash management, and fund and grant accounting across multiple funding sources.
• Lead accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, with a goal of completing month-end close within 15 days.
• Ensure financial records and reporting are maintained in accordance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Oversee accounting for government contracts and other restricted funding, ensuring funds are appropriately tracked, reconciled, and reported.
• Maintain strong accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls that safeguard organizational assets and support efficient, compliant operations.

Strengthen Systems and Processes

• Evaluate accounting workflows, systems, and processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Lead process improvements and automation efforts that reduce manual work and strengthen the quality and timeliness of financial information.
• Manage the organization's accounting system and integrations with payroll/HRIS, expense management, banking, and other financial platforms.
• Develop clear procedures, documentation, and training to help staff consistently follow strong financial and internal control practices.
• Serve as a resource to teams across the organization, helping translate accounting requirements into practical, workable processes.

Support Financial Planning and Reporting

• Prepare and oversee timely internal and external financial reporting and provide leadership with clear visibility into the organization's financial performance and position.
• Partner with the Director of Finance and organizational leaders to develop and monitor annual and departmental budgets.
• Manage cash flow planning for Bonita House and related entities to ensure adequate availability of funds.
• Support the development of financial models, forecasts, and analyses that help leadership understand performance, evaluate opportunities, and make informed decisions.

Lead Audit, Compliance, and Financial Controls

• Coordinate annual financial statement audits, the Single Audit when applicable, funding agency audits, and tax preparation in partnership with external auditors and contractors.
• Maintain compliance with applicable financial, legal, regulatory, grant, and contractual requirements.
• Regularly review key accounting functions, including billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and reconciliations, to identify risks and ensure established standards are being met.
• Stay current on nonprofit accounting, audit, and financial management best practices and incorporate them into the organization's processes.

Lead and Collaborate

• Supervise, support, and develop accounting staff, setting clear expectations and building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with the Director of Finance and colleagues across the organization to solve problems and strengthen financial operations.
• Communicate financial information clearly and effectively to leaders, staff, auditors, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Lead special projects and other financial initiatives as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or a comparable combination of education and relevant accounting experience.
• Five or more years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience in nonprofit accounting and at least two years of direct staff supervision.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including fund and grant accounting, restricted funding, government contracts, and financial reporting.
• Hands-on experience across core accounting functions, including general ledger, financial close, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, budgeting, audit preparation, and financial reporting.
• Experience working in a complex, multi-funded organization; experience with organizations of $10M+ in annual revenue is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to improve accounting processes, strengthen internal controls, and successfully lead change.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, develop practical solutions, and follow through on implementation.
• Experience leading and developing staff and building effective relationships across departments and levels of an organization.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to make complex financial information understandable and useful to non-financial audiences.
• Strong technology skills, including Excel and accounting/financial reporting systems. Experience with ABILA MIP or similar nonprofit accounting software is a plus.
• Experience with accounting system implementations, integrations, automation, or other financial technology improvements is a plus.
• Healthcare or behavioral health experience, including familiarity with Medi-Cal billing, is a plus.
• Commitment to Bonita House's mission and to working effectively with diverse communities, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Work environment/Physical demands: The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, in accordance with applicable laws.

Physical Activity

The position requires periods of sitting, standing, and walking throughout the workday. Employees may be required to move between offices, program spaces, and meeting areas, including navigating stairs.

Lifting & Carrying

Must be able to lift, carry, or move items up to 15 pounds on an occasional basis.

Manual Dexterity & Communication

Requires the ability to operate a computer, keyboard, and other office equipment; to talk and hear in person and by telephone; and to read printed and digital materials.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office or community-based setting with standard lighting, temperature, and noise levels. Some positions may require travel between locations as part of regular duties.

Travel required: This position requires regular travel to multiple agency and partner locations within the Bay Area. Employees must have reliable transportation and the ability to reach designated sites within reasonable travel times.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

EEO Statement: Bonita House provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.