About A Bookkeeping Cooperative

ABC is a worker-owned union cooperative dedicated to building solidarity economies.  We develop the skills, systems, and confidence of people and projects working towards a just world beyond capitalism through bookkeeping, consulting, and financial education.

We are collectively managed, meaning we all run the business and share in the surpluses or losses together.  We are looking for potential members who want to provide supportive, values-based financial and education services to clients and contribute to our growing cooperative.

ABC is a remote workplace.

We are currently 6 members and 3 candidates.

 

We are hiring for two positions:

Candidate Bookkeeper/Consultant/Trainer

Candidacy is a one year ownership track position that emphasizes direct bookkeeping to clients and the chance to co-facilitate workshops, support ABC’s organizational development, and receive training in accounting and cooperative governance.  Candidates receive a mid-point evaluation at 6 months and then again at one year to determine if they meet the requirements of a membership position.

Responsibilities    

Client Work 65%

• Bookkeeping/Accounting
• Initial assessment
• Set up
• Clean up
• Ongoing
• Workshops/Trainings

Internal Work 35%

• Meetings/Training
• Monthly general meeting
• Internal operations and committee meetings
• Peer supervision meetings 2x/month
• Bookkeeping training/skills development as needed

• Organizational development (depending on interests)
• Outreach/Client development
• Policy Development
• Materials/Curriculum development

Required 

• Alignment with the Cooperative Principles and ABC’s Points of Unity
• Able to independently manage and prioritize multiple projects
• Commitment to self-reflection and ongoing learning
• Clear, timely, and thoughtful communication
• Able to build trusting relationships with coworkers and clients

Preferred  

• At least 2 years of bookkeeping experience as a primary responsibility
• Proficient in inputting transactions, reconciling accounts, processing and entering A/R and A/P, record keeping, payroll, and financial reporting
• Spanish Fluency
• Experience in training, facilitation, and popular education
• Experience in organizational or business development
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online (QBO)
• Proficiency with additional accounting software such as Xero, QB desktop for Mac and PC, FundE-Z, and GnuCash

Candidate Facilitator and Education Coordinator

Candidacy is a one year ownership track position.  Alongside our bookkeeping and consulting services, ABC has been slowly growing our education program Cosmos via a steering committee and we’re looking for someone who can develop infrastructure and help shepherd Cosmos from a starting phase to a smooth operating phase.  This role will focus on co-facilitating workshops, working with the steering committee to build out Cosmos, and administering operational aspects of the program.  We are looking for a candidate with strong facilitation and project management skills, and not necessarily someone who already has specific financial content expertise.  Candidates receive training in finances, accounting principles, and cooperative governance.  Candidates receive a mid-point evaluation at 6 months and then again at one year to determine if they meet the requirements of a membership position.

ABC is a remote workplace.  We may resume in person workshops in the future when it is safe to do so, but in person work will not be a requirement for employment.

Responsibilities    

Client Work 35%

• Workshop and Training co-facilitation
• Intake for education services
• Develop educational materials (e.g. videos, self-guided resources, worksheets, etc.)

Internal Work 65%

ABC General

• Meetings/Trainings
• Monthly general meeting
• Internal operations and committee meetings
• Peer supervision meetings 2x/month
• Organizational development (depending on interests)
• Financial training/skills development as needed

Education Program

• Administration and coordination for Cosmos, ABC’s education branch
• Strategy and business planning for Cosmos
• Marketing/Outreach/Client development
• Policy Development
• Materials/Curriculum development

Candidates are expected to fulfill the hours requirements and internal/client work ratios as outlined in their job description, to attend general and operations meetings, and to join and participate in at least one committee.

Required 

• Alignment with the Cooperative Principles, Values and ABC’s Points of Unity
• At least 5 years of experience in training, facilitation, and popular education
• At least 1 year of experience with online training/facilitation
• At least 2 years of administrative/operations coordination experience
• Proficiency with basic tech tools and platforms
• Able to independently manage and prioritize multiple projects
• Commitment to self-reflection and ongoing learning
• Clear, timely, and thoughtful communication
• Able to build trusting relationships with coworkers and clients

Preferred  

• Spanish fluency
• Experience in organizational or business development
• Experience with curriculum development

 

Compensation, Benefits, and How to Apply for a Candidate Position

Compensation

35 hour per week full time position with an annual salary of $54,810.  Potential to become a member after 1 year with a starting salary roughly equivalent to $65,000.  Payroll is via direct deposit every other Friday.

The coop has decided to prioritize shifting to a 30 hour work week and hope to implement this some time in 2022 if feasible. The salary amount would remain the same.

Benefits  

PTO + flexible schedule

• Paid time off includes 30 annual Holidays, 11 annual Vacation days, and .035 hours of Health & Wellness time accrued per hour worked. (Combined total of 50 PTO days/year)
• 1 month sabbatical after 2 years of employment; 3 month sabbatical after 6 years (with the option to extend up to 9 months unpaid)
• Flexible schedule and remote work

Health benefits

• Up to $400/month towards insurance premiums or other medical expenses from 3-6 months of employment.
• Eligibility for health insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield Alabama) after 6 months (85% employer contribution for Single coverage with a $144.84 monthly employee contribution) +1 coverage available at employee expense for an additional $1,013/month)
• Dental and vision insurance after 3 months (100% employer contribution to premiums)

Other benefits

• Professional development funds ($1,450/year)
• Home office equipment fund ($1,900 every 5 years) + home office stipend ($150/month)
• Eligibility for up to 3% employer-matched 401K Retirement Plan after 1 year
• Potential to become a member after candidacy period (pay increase, patronage dividend/profit sharing, equal ownership share in the cooperative).

Candidates are expected to fulfill the hours requirements and internal/client work ratios as outlined in their job description, to attend general and operations meetings, and to join and participate in at least one committee.

Reporting Structure

Candidates have an ABC member assigned as their Peer Supervisor to support them in work planning.

ABC workers are unionized with Local #1102 RWDSU/UFCW (Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union/United Food and Commercial Workers).  Candidates become union members within their first 6 months of hire.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume together as a single PDF with the subject of either “Candidate Bookkeeper/Consultant/Trainer” or “Candidate Facilitator and Education Coordinator” depending on the role you’re applying for to <work@bookkeeping.coop>.  In your cover letter, please share your experience and skills, your interest in the position, and what about ABC’s model or points of unity resonates with you most and why.

*Applications received before November 9th, 2021 will receive priority consideration*

ABC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  As a cooperative committed to centering those most directly affected by capitalism and colonialism, we strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, trans, gender nonconforming, non-binary, intersex, two-spirit, lesbian, gay, queer, and bisexual people, people with disabilities, people who are neurodiverse, immigrants, formerly incarcerated or system-involved people, and people from poor and working class backgrounds to apply.

These positions will remain open until filled.

Location: Virtual – anywhere in the U.S.

Ideal Start Date: January-February 2022

How our Hiring Process Works

-To minimize unconscious bias in our screening, we anonymize all applications by blocking out names, contact information, names of educational institutions and past workplaces, and any other identifying information before we review them.

-If your application does not indicate a good match for this position, we’ll let you know.

-If your application indicates a good match for this position, we’ll schedule a video call.  We use structured interviewing, meaning we ask everyone the same basic set of questions and use a rating scale based on standardized, pre-established evaluation criteria related to the position requirements.  You’ll also have the chance to ask us questions.

-If your application moves forward, we’ll ask you for two references

-We’ll schedule a second interview with structured questions.

-We’ll let you know our final decision.