Staff Accountant

As a Staff Accountant at EKN Engineering, your main responsibilities include maintaining accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely payments for invoices, preparing billing information, and collaborating with vendors. You'll also be tasked with preparing journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and optimizing financial reporting to support the overall efficiency of the accounting department. This role is critical for providing clear visibility into the company's financial condition.

To qualify for the Staff Accountant role at EKN Engineering, candidates should have a bachelor's or associate degree in accounting, finance, or a relevant field, along with 1-2 years of related experience. Proficiency in Excel, with skills in VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and other advanced functions, is highly valued, as is attention to detail and strong organization skills.

While using QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, or SAP is not mandatory for the Staff Accountant role at EKN Engineering, it is considered a plus. Familiarity with these accounting systems can enhance your ability to manage financial tasks more efficiently and can give you an edge in the application process.

At EKN Engineering, the work environment for a Staff Accountant is collaborative and innovative. You'll be part of a team that values accountability and supports professional growth. The culture encourages pushing the boundaries of engineering and finance to create impactful solutions that improve utility safety for our communities.

EKN Engineering is committed to the professional growth of its employees, including Staff Accountants. The company fosters a supportive atmosphere where continuous learning is encouraged, providing opportunities for skill development and career advancement within the organization. Employees are empowered to refine their expertise and achieve their career goals.

In answering this question, detail your specific experiences managing accounts payable and receivable. Highlight your ability to track invoices, issue timely payments, and maintain financial accuracy. Be sure to mention any software you’ve used, as this demonstrates your technical competence.

Be honest about your proficiency levels with different accounting software. Mention specific programs like QuickBooks, SAP, or Excel, and provide examples of how you've used them in previous roles, including tasks you've automated or how they helped you keep accurate financial records.

Discuss your attention to detail and the processes you follow to ensure accuracy, such as double-checking your work, using established reconciliation techniques, or employing checks and balances. Mention examples where your approach prevented financial discrepancies.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide a clear narrative about a relevant experience. Emphasize your organizational skills and the way you prioritized tasks to meet the deadline while maintaining accuracy and quality.

Do your research beforehand and express your passion for the company's innovative work in engineering. Align your own values with those of EKN Engineering, focusing on the importance of accountability, teamwork, and community engagement. Let them know how you want to contribute to these goals.

Frame your response to illustrate your communication and conflict resolution skills. Share a specific example of a conflict and how you collaborated with others to reach a resolution. Highlight the importance of maintaining positive working relationships.

Discuss your commitment to professional development. Mention specific courses, certifications, or professional associations you engage with to stay informed about changes in accounting standards and regulations.

Share a project that showcases your skills and contributions. Highlight your role in the project, the challenges faced, and the successful outcome. Be specific about how your actions led to improved financial reporting or efficiency.

Focus on qualities like attention to detail, organizational ability, and strong communication skills. Support your thoughts with examples of how these qualities have helped you in your previous accounting roles.

Be honest about your ambitions. Talk about your desire for further development, possibly aiming for senior accountant roles or CPA certification. Relate this to how working at EKN Engineering aligns with your career trajectory.