Accountant
To manage all aspects of financial recording and reporting, and prepare tax returns.
Accounting responsibilities with urban forestry groups depend largely
on the size of the organization. Smaller groups require annual
financial reporting from a Certified Public Accountant and pay fees for
the amount of work that is done. Knowledge of non-profit tax reporting
is helpful.
For larger urban forestry groups, it may be cost effective to have a
chief financial officer (CFO) in-house who will not only assume
responsibility for all aspects of financial reporting, but also work
with program directors to coordinate, develop and deliver programs.
Serving on the executive management team and steering financial aspects
of the strategic planning process makes an accounting position with an
urban forestry group very satisfying personally.
At large urban forestry organizations, the CFO is expected to
coordinate and lead the budgeting process, and direct billings on
grants and government contracts. To qualify for larger grants,
non-profits are audited annually, and the CFO is expected to coordinate
the auditing process.
Even though all accountants adhere to generally accepted accounting
principles, because trees are living organisms, their value is in
constant flux (either increasing or decreasing) and communicating the
worth of said assets at true market value is a real challenge. Creative
financial reporting can be used as an edge when looking for funding and
competing for grants.
Environmental literacy is a real plus for accountants working with
trees and in urban forestry. Sincere enthusiasm for the organization's
mission yields best results for the leadership team..
CFO qualifications include a four year college degree, CPA
certification, good leadership, team building, management and
communications skills. This combination will go a long way in making
the accountant an integral part of the urban forestry movement.
Earnings are based on the size of the organization and the contribution
of the CFO. Typically, for managing assets in excess of $1 million, a
CPA can expect to earn in excess of $50,000 annually.
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