Full Charge Bookkeeper

Watch Duty is a non-partisan, non-profit, and non-government organization focused on disseminating public-safety information in real time from verified sources. Our mission is to publish only the facts that provide true situational awareness in case of emergency. We are always looking for passionate individuals—both volunteers and professionals—to help us build our platform and expand our reach to keep communities safe.

Full-Charge Bookkeeper

Company: Watch Duty (watchduty.org)

Location: Remote (U.S.-based preferred)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt/Non-Exempt. Employment classification and eligibility for overtime may vary based on the employee’s work location and applicable state law.

Reports to: Senior VP of Business Operations

Comp: $65,000 to $95,000, based on location and experience

About Watch Duty

Watch Duty is a mission-driven nonprofit delivering real-time wildfire intelligence to residents, first responders, and critical infrastructure partners. We provide human-verified incident updates faster than any other platform, empowering emergency managers, utilities, and public agencies to make better decisions when every second counts. Our enterprise offerings are trusted by some of the largest utilities and public safety organizations in the U.S.

As our community of app users and our enterprise partnerships grow, we are investing in accurate, scalable financial operations. This role owns the day-to-day books and payroll that keep the organization running.

Role Summary

Watch Duty is hiring a Full-Charge Bookkeeper to own our books and payroll from end to end. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role with no direct reports. You will do the work yourself: recording and reconciling transactions in QuickBooks Online, managing AP and AR, running the monthly close, and administering multi-state payroll in Rippling. You will partner closely with the Senior VP of Business Operations and our outside CPA, and you will be the go-to person for payroll and expense questions across a fully remote team.

The ideal candidate is a detail-driven, self-directed bookkeeper who takes pride in clean books, on-time payroll, and well-documented processes.

Key Responsibilities

Bookkeeping and Month-End Close

• Own day-to-day bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online, including transaction recording, the general ledger, and the chart of accounts.
• Manage full-cycle accounts payable and accounts receivable, including vendor bills, enterprise partner invoicing, and collections follow-up.
• Reconcile bank, credit card, and Ramp accounts monthly, and review Ramp transactions, receipts, and reimbursements for accurate coding.
• Run the monthly close, including accruals, prepaids, and fixed asset schedules, and prepare the P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
• Record donations and grants accurately and track restricted funds in line with nonprofit accounting standards.
• Prepare schedules and documentation for the annual audit, Form 990, and other filings in partnership with our outside CPA and auditor.

Payroll and Compliance

• Own the payroll cycle in Rippling, including preparing, reviewing, and submitting each payroll accurately and on time.
• Process new hires, terminations, compensation changes, deductions, and garnishments.
• Manage multi-state payroll tax registrations, filings, and compliance for a distributed workforce.
• Reconcile payroll, benefits deductions, and 401(k) contributions to the general ledger.
• Manage year-end payroll and vendor reporting, including W-2s and 1099s.

Systems and Process

• Maintain the integrations and data flow between Rippling, Ramp, and QuickBooks Online.
• Document bookkeeping and payroll procedures and strengthen internal controls as the organization grows.
• Serve as the point of contact for employee payroll and expense questions via Slack.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of full-charge bookkeeping experience, including ownership of payroll.
• Hands-on experience processing multi-state payroll and managing payroll tax compliance.
• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online.
• Experience administering payroll in Rippling.
• Experience with Ramp for expense and spend management.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (especially Google Sheets) and Slack.
• Strong working knowledge of accrual accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Self-directed and comfortable working as the sole bookkeeper in a remote environment.

Bonus Qualifiers

• Nonprofit accounting experience, including restricted funds, grant tracking, and Form 990 preparation support.
• Bookkeeping or payroll certification, such as Certified Bookkeeper (CB), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
• Familiarity with Gusto for referencing historical payroll records.
• Experience at a startup or fast-growing organization.
• Interest in public safety, emergency management, or wildfire resilience.

Work Environment

Remote (U.S.-based): This is a primarily remote position operating in a distributed environment.

Work Hours: Standard operating hours are aligned with Pacific Time, with flexibility required during periods of high operational demand.

Travel: Minimal; approximately 5% travel may be required for team or partner engagements. Travel expenses are reimbursed per company policy.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, and vision coverage with company contributions, plus a 401(k).
• Flexible PTO and paid sick leave.
• Mission-driven work with direct impact on public safety and the communities Watch Duty serves.
• Remote flexibility and professional development opportunities.
• The chance to build clean, scalable financial operations as the organization grows.

Legal Compliance & Disclaimers

At-Will Employment: Employment with Watch Duty is at-will. Either the employee or Watch Duty may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise stated in a written agreement signed by the employee and CEO.

FLSA Classification: Exempt or non-exempt classification for this role will be determined based on job duties, compensation, and applicable federal and state law in the employee’s work location.

Role Evolution Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs, operational demands, and applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watch Duty is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization.