Accounting and Compliance Officer Job Description

Summary

Position Title: Accounting and Compliance Officer
Organization: For Nature (legally the Callie Veelenturf For Nature Foundation, dba “For Nature”)
Location: Remote in the United States or Panama City, Panama
Schedule: Full-time Working Hours: U.S. East Coast business hours
Language Requirement: Working Proficiency in English and Spanish
Start Date: Immediate Application Deadline: Open until filled

About For Nature

For Nature is a global initiative catalyzing high-impact protection measures for Nature and advocating for the recognition of the intrinsic Rights of Nature. It was founded by marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Callie Veelenturf, whose efforts in advancing the Rights of Nature have inspired change from nesting beaches to national courts. By uniting science, education, community leadership, and storytelling, we generate the evidence and arguments needed to recognize Nature’s inherent rights to exist, persist, regenerate, be restored, and represented within legal systems and ensure that these rights are upheld in practice.

For Nature is entering a new stage of development as it has just completed a landmark collaboration with the Government of Panama, which represents the organization’s largest program to date. Through a formal Memorandum of Understanding, For Nature is supporting efforts connected to Panama’s leadership in advancing the Rights of Nature at both the national and international levels. This includes technical, administrative, legal, and strategic coordination to help implement the agreement and support the broader vision it represents.

As For Nature continues to grow, the organization is building the internal systems, financial management, and compliance structures needed to support this flagship program while strengthening its broader institutional foundation in the United States and beyond.

About the Role

For Nature seeks a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive Accounting and Compliance Officer to support the organization’s financial administration, bookkeeping, contract management, and reporting processes across its U.S. foundation operations and its commitments under the For Nature-Panama Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance a United Nations Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature (UN UDRoN).

This role is ideal for someone with strong nonprofit finance and administrative experience who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The position requires experience supporting a 501(c)(3) organization, managing U.S. and international contractor relationships, and ensuring strong legal, financial, and administrative compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Ability to work in a bilingual Spanish-English environment is key.

Under the Panama UN UDRoN programme, this position must also fulfill the functions of both a licensed accountant and a legal compliance officer, while overseeing the broader accounting and administrative needs of the U.S. foundation. The role therefore combines internal financial management, contract administration, compliance tracking, and coordination with external advisors as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Administration, Payroll and Bookkeeping

Maintain accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping records for the organization
Process and track accounts payable, international bank transfers, and other financial transactions, ensuring accurate documentation, approvals, and recordkeeping
Organize and maintain financial documentation, receipts, invoices, and payment records
Support monthly bank and account reconciliations
Prepare internal financial reports, budget tracking, and cash flow summaries
Support preparation of financial materials for leadership, board reporting, audits, and grant reporting as needed
Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, bookkeepers, or financial service providers when applicable
Help ensure accurate coding and tracking of organizational expenses across projects, funds, and budget lines
Manage payroll administration and coordinate timely, accurate processing of payroll and related records

Panama UN UDRoN Programme Accounting and Compliance Responsibilities

Fulfill the organization’s accounting, administrative, and compliance responsibilities in Panama
Ensure that legal, administrative, and regulatory obligations are properly tracked and met
Maintain all documentation, filings, registrations, renewals, and official records required to keep the organization in good standing in Panama
Coordinate with external legal, accounting, and regulatory advisors in Panama when necessary
Track compliance deadlines and support timely submission of required reports and documentation
Ensure strong coordination between the organization’s Panama-based obligations and its U.S. nonprofit financial and operational systems

Contractor and Payment Administration

Support the onboarding and administration of U.S. and international contractors
Track contracts and payment schedules for contractors and consultants
Ensure contractor files are complete and properly maintained, including agreements and supporting documentation
Coordinate invoice collection, review, and processing for contractor payments
Support compliance with documentation and payment requirements for both U.S. and international contractors

Contracts and Administrative Recordkeeping

Maintain organized digital and internal filing systems for contracts, agreements, financial records, compliance files, and administrative documents
Track key dates related to contracts, renewals, reporting deadlines, and administrative obligations
Support preparation, review coordination, execution, and filing of contracts and service agreements
Help maintain internal administrative systems, templates, and workflows to strengthen organizational efficiency

Financial Reporting and Operational Support

Prepare regular financial tracking reports for internal use
Support expense tracking against approved budgets and provide timely updates to leadership
Assist with grant financial reporting and supporting documentation, in coordination with program and leadership staff
Help strengthen financial and administrative procedures and recommend improvements where needed
Support cross-functional coordination between finance, operations, leadership, and external advisors

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, law, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
Minimum 4 to 6 years of relevant experience in accounting, administration, and compliance roles
Demonstrated experience working with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Experience managing financial administration and contractor processes involving both U.S.-based and international contractors
Strong bookkeeping and financial reporting experience
Familiarity with international bank transfers and cross-border payment processes Experience handling contracts administration, document management, and compliance tracking
Full professional fluency in both English and Spanish, written and spoken
Strong proficiency in QuickBooks
High level of discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail

Core Competencies

Excellent organizational and time management skills
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to handle confidential financial, legal, and contractual information with discretion
Clear written and verbal communication in English and Spanish
Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines across jurisdictions
Strong problem-solving skills and systems-thinking approach
Reliability, responsiveness, and strong follow-through

Reporting Line

This position will report to the Director of Strategy and Operations.

Employment Terms

This is a full-time position. The selected candidate must be available to begin as soon as possible. Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Hiring structure may vary depending on the candidate’s location.

Compensation

This is a full-time position. Compensation will be based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, and years of relevant experience. The final package will reflect the scope of the role, including accounting, administrative, and compliance responsibilities, and will vary depending on whether the selected candidate is based in Panama or the United States.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

CV or resume
Brief cover letter in English or Spanish

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Materials should be sent to info@fornature.org with the subject line: Application – Accounting and Compliance Officer.

For Nature is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. Women, Indigenous professionals, and people from historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Accounting and Compliance Officer Job Description

Summary

About For Nature

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

Financial Administration, Payroll and Bookkeeping

Maintain accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping records for the organization

Process and track accounts payable, international bank transfers, and other financial transactions, ensuring accurate documentation, approvals, and recordkeeping

Organize and maintain financial documentation, receipts, invoices, and payment records

Support monthly bank and account reconciliations

Prepare internal financial reports, budget tracking, and cash flow summaries

Support preparation of financial materials for leadership, board reporting, audits, and grant reporting as needed

Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, bookkeepers, or financial service providers when applicable

Help ensure accurate coding and tracking of organizational expenses across projects, funds, and budget lines

Manage payroll administration and coordinate timely, accurate processing of payroll and related records

​

Panama UN UDRoN Programme Accounting and Compliance Responsibilities

​

Fulfill the organization’s accounting, administrative, and compliance responsibilities in Panama

Ensure that legal, administrative, and regulatory obligations are properly tracked and met

Maintain all documentation, filings, registrations, renewals, and official records required to keep the organization in good standing in Panama

Coordinate with external legal, accounting, and regulatory advisors in Panama when necessary

Track compliance deadlines and support timely submission of required reports and documentation

Ensure strong coordination between the organization’s Panama-based obligations and its U.S. nonprofit financial and operational systems

​​

Contractor and Payment Administration

​

Support the onboarding and administration of U.S. and international contractors

Track contracts and payment schedules for contractors and consultants

Ensure contractor files are complete and properly maintained, including agreements and supporting documentation

Coordinate invoice collection, review, and processing for contractor payments

Support compliance with documentation and payment requirements for both U.S. and international contractors

​​

Contracts and Administrative Recordkeeping

​

Maintain organized digital and internal filing systems for contracts, agreements, financial records, compliance files, and administrative documents

Track key dates related to contracts, renewals, reporting deadlines, and administrative obligations

Support preparation, review coordination, execution, and filing of contracts and service agreements

Help maintain internal administrative systems, templates, and workflows to strengthen organizational efficiency

​​

Financial Reporting and Operational Support

​

Prepare regular financial tracking reports for internal use

Support expense tracking against approved budgets and provide timely updates to leadership

Assist with grant financial reporting and supporting documentation, in coordination with program and leadership staff

Help strengthen financial and administrative procedures and recommend improvements where needed

Support cross-functional coordination between finance, operations, leadership, and external advisors

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, law, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience

​Minimum 4 to 6 years of relevant experience in accounting, administration, and compliance roles

Demonstrated experience working with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Experience managing financial administration and contractor processes involving both U.S.-based and international contractors

Strong bookkeeping and financial reporting experience

Familiarity with international bank transfers and cross-border payment processes Experience handling contracts administration, document management, and compliance tracking

Full professional fluency in both English and Spanish, written and spoken

Strong proficiency in QuickBooks

​High level of discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail

Core Competencies

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Ability to handle confidential financial, legal, and contractual information with discretion

Clear written and verbal communication in English and Spanish

Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines across jurisdictions

Strong problem-solving skills and systems-thinking approach

Reliability, responsiveness, and strong follow-through

Reporting Line

This position will report to the Director of Strategy and Operations.​

Employment Terms

This is a full-time position. The selected candidate must be available to begin as soon as possible. Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Hiring structure may vary depending on the candidate’s location.

Compensation

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

CV or resume

​Brief cover letter in English or Spanish

Minimum 4 to 6 years of relevant experience in accounting, administration, and compliance roles

High level of discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail

This position will report to the Director of Strategy and Operations.

Brief cover letter in English or Spanish