SMART Reading

SMART Reading, the state’s largest volunteer-based literacy nonprofit, seeks an energetic, detail-oriented professional with accounts receivable and accounts payable experience to join our statewide team. 

When you join SMART Reading, you join a team that is committed to the important work of helping children develop into strong, confident readers. This position focuses primarily on Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and providing administrative support to the Accounting Manager. The position is located in the headquarters office in Portland and is part of the People & Culture Department.

The ideal candidate will be able to work independently, support a team, and have extensive AP and AR experience. If that’s you, here’s what we can offer:

• An important mission and purpose that affects the lives of kids throughout Oregon. SMART Reading engages volunteers to strengthen literacy skills and encourage a love of reading with preschool through eighth-grade students by reading one-on-one with students and providing new and gently used books to keep
• A team of equally committed, passionate, and dedicated individuals.
• An opportunity to put your creativity and ideas to good use (We’ve got great systems, but we’re always interested in improvement)
• An organizational culture that values team, plays to the strengths of its members, works to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is tirelessly devoted to serving “our kids.”
• A salary starting range of $45,000 to $49,000 a year, depending on experience and a great benefits package!

Position Summary: This person will be responsible for supporting the Accounting Manager with a variety of financial tasks as well as being responsible for all AR and AP functions. Responsibilities include: 

• Assisting with the day-to-day financial transactions and completion of posting processes
• Processing payments and invoices: This includes researching, coding, and entering invoices into the accounting system. 
• Reconciling accounts: This involves comparing statements and transactions to ensure accuracy
• Managing accounts: This includes monitoring accounts to ensure payments are made on time
• Processing invoices and payments, ensuring approval with support documentation
• Recording, balancing, and depositing all receipts
• Assisting the Accounting Manager in preparing financial reports: This involves collecting, analyzing, and summarizing account information and trends.
• Maintaining financial security: This includes following internal accounting controls and backing up financial data. 
• Assisting the Accounting Manager in resolving discrepancies: This involves investigating documentation and issuing payments, or stopping payments as directed

Here are the “must have” requirements of our ideal candidate:

1. Three to five years of experience working in AP & AR
2. A mission-driven desire for SMART Reading to have the highest level of positive impact for children served by our program.
3. Self-motivated, organized, and disciplined to achieve goals and can work independently, but will ask for direction or support as needed
4. Enjoys creative problem-solving and engaging others in projects and activities  
5. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
6. Personal character, which guides the ethical practice of all the work 
7. Excellent computer skills, and knowledge or willingness to learn office software, including Google Suite, Raiser’s Edge, Concur and Netsuite 
8. Comfortable working with people from all walks of life

Bonus skills (preferred but not required):

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or relevant experience 
• Proficiency in NetSuite
• Nonprofit experience
• Understanding of children's literacy work

Application Process: 

1) Please submit a resume and cover letter that tells us the following:

• Specifically, state how you meet our description of an ideal candidate based on the requirements outlined above;
• Your experience with and commitment to equity; 
• The relevant experience you offer is in line with the qualifications listed above. 

2) This position will remain open until filled. We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled but will place priority on applications received by the end of the day, December 8, 2024.

3) Selected applicants will be invited to move forward to both virtual and in-person interviews. For our finalists, we will ask for 3 professional references, preferably from previous employers. We will want to verify employment history. 

4) Selected candidate will be required to complete a background check after notifying the applicant of our intent to make a job offer. 

Preference will be given to candidates who can work in-person in SMART Reading’s statewide headquarters at least two days a week.

SMART’s Commitment to Equity: As an early literacy program focused on helping children succeed with reading and learning, SMART can’t ignore that deep racial, cultural, social, and economic inequities in our country and state make it harder for some children to succeed compared to others. SMART’s vision is an Oregon in which every child can read and is empowered to succeed, and we are making equity a top priority. As part of this, we particularly seek staff members, volunteers, and board members whose personal or professional background gives them a unique perspective to further SMART’s work in serving children of color and children from other marginalized groups.

Important Note: People of color, people living with disabilities, veterans, and individuals from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Salary: $45,000 to $49,000 DOE and area of residence 
• Café Benefit: $100 monthly (additional $1,200 annually)
• Cell Phone Reimbursement: $50 monthly (additional $600 annually)
• 401k Retirement: Employer match of up to 3% of your salary
• Paid Time Off/Vacation: Four weeks of paid time off every year. PTO is accumulated biweekly, totaling four weeks annually
• Office Closures: Two paid weeks off - one in July and the second in December for employee rest and rejuvenation time (in addition to regular PTO) 
• Employer-paid Health Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and LTD premiums are 100% paid by SMART for the employee
• Paid Holidays: Nine paid holidays that can be used on scheduled holidays or as floating days used according to personal beliefs and obligations
• Paid Supplemental Medical Leave: Cumulated biweekly, totaling two weeks annually, and carried over to earn up to eight weeks of medical leave

A full benefit package outline will be provided if selected to interview.  

To learn more about SMART Reading, please visit www.smartreading.org