Application Guide
How to Apply for Accounting Manager
at American Bird Conservancy
🏢 About American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy is unique as a science-driven conservation organization focused exclusively on protecting wild birds and their habitats across the Americas. Working here offers the opportunity to contribute directly to preventing bird extinctions and eliminating threats while being part of a mission-driven team that values both conservation impact and operational excellence. Their remote-first approach allows professionals across the US to support critical conservation work without geographic constraints.
About This Role
This Accounting Manager role is central to maintaining financial integrity for conservation initiatives, managing core accounting tasks including monthly closes, cash reconciliations, and audit preparation in NetSuite. The position directly impacts the organization's ability to allocate resources effectively to bird conservation projects by ensuring accurate financial reporting and implementing process improvements. You'll serve as the NetSuite expert while supporting the Finance Team in a nonprofit environment where every dollar supports habitat protection and species recovery.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reconciling weekly cash transactions in NetSuite, preparing monthly bank reconciliations, and reviewing payroll data while collaborating remotely with the Finance Team. You'll likely analyze balance sheet accounts, create internal management reports using advanced Excel functions, and identify opportunities to automate manual processes to increase efficiency for conservation funding. Throughout the day, you'll balance routine accounting tasks with special projects supporting accurate financial reporting that enables bird habitat protection across the Americas.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who American Bird Conservancy Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of hands-on NetSuite experience in financial accounting, specifically with bank reconciliations, payroll processing, and balance sheet management within the platform
- Possesses 5-7 years of nonprofit accounting experience with understanding of restricted funds, grant reporting, and audit preparation unique to conservation organizations
- Demonstrates advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, SUMIFS) with ability to translate complex financial data into understandable formats for diverse stakeholders
- Combines strong communication skills with adaptability to support a mission-driven team in a remote environment while implementing process improvements
📝 Tips for Applying to American Bird Conservancy
Quantify your NetSuite experience: specify years, modules used (bank reconciliations, payroll), and any automation you've implemented in previous roles
Highlight nonprofit-specific experience: mention grant management, restricted fund accounting, or audit preparation for conservation/environmental organizations
Include concrete examples of Excel data organization: describe how you've used VLOOKUP/SUMIFS to create reports for non-financial audiences
Demonstrate remote work proficiency: mention experience with virtual collaboration tools and self-management in distributed teams
Connect your skills to conservation impact: explain how accurate accounting enables resource allocation to bird protection projects
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific NetSuite expertise with examples of monthly closes, bank reconciliations, and process improvements you've implemented", 'Nonprofit accounting experience, particularly any work with environmental/conservation organizations and handling restricted funds', 'Ability to communicate financial information clearly to diverse stakeholders in a mission-driven environment', 'Examples of adapting to changing priorities while maintaining accuracy in financial reporting']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → American Bird Conservancy's current conservation initiatives and geographic focus areas across the Americas
- → Their recent annual reports to understand financial structure, funding sources, and conservation expenditures
- → NetSuite's nonprofit-specific features and how they might apply to bird conservation accounting needs
- → The organization's remote work culture and collaboration tools mentioned in team communications or job descriptions
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with only corporate/for-profit accounting experience without addressing how you'll adapt to nonprofit requirements
- Listing NetSuite as a skill without specific examples of how you've used it for bank reconciliations, payroll, or monthly closes
- Using generic cover letter templates that don't mention bird conservation, nonprofit accounting, or remote work experience
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to American Bird Conservancy!