Senior Staff Accountant - Unanet

As a Senior Staff Accountant at phia, your primary responsibilities include managing contract and proposal pricing, processing invoices, reconciling time records for payroll, generating monthly receivables, and preparing financial reports. You'll also be involved in payroll processing and maintaining automated workflows, all while ensuring compliance with government accounting standards.

Candidates for the Senior Staff Accountant role at phia must have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a relevant field, or have six years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree. A minimum of four years in accounting, particularly with federal contractors and expertise in FAR-compliant accounting, is essential. Proficiency in Unanet is highly preferred, along with strong skills in Receivables, Payables, Payroll, and General Ledger.

Yes, the Senior Staff Accountant role at phia is primarily remote, offering flexibility to work from home. However, there are occasional in-person meetings or work sessions required within the DMV area, making it ideal for candidates residing in that region or near Tampa, FL.

At phia, full-time employees, including the Senior Staff Accountant, receive comprehensive benefits packages. These include medical, dental, and vision insurance, short and long-term disability, a 401k retirement savings plan with company match, tuition assistance, and flexible spending accounts, supporting a balanced work-life experience.

Essential skills for a Senior Staff Accountant at phia include proficient communication, strong problem-solving abilities, and excellent organizational skills. Moreover, expertise in the full Office 365 Suite, especially Excel, and familiarity with payroll platforms like Paylocity are crucial to succeed in this role.

For the month-end close process, it's important to follow a structured timeline. Start by reconciling accounts, ensuring all entries have been recorded accurately, and addressing discrepancies promptly. Communicate with your team to ensure deadlines are met, and prepare accruals and necessary journal entries. Demonstrating your meticulous nature and teamwork can really impress your interviewer.

When asked about your experience with Unanet, provide specific examples of how you've utilized it in your previous roles. Detail the modules you've used, such as project accounting or invoicing, and explain how familiar you are with generating reports and managing data accuracy in the system. Highlight any efficiencies you've achieved through your expertise.

Discuss your understanding of DCAA compliance requirements and how you've ensured adherence in past positions. Describe any specific processes you've implemented for tracking costs, maintaining documentation, and ensuring audits are manageable. It’s essential to demonstrate your proactive approach to compliance.

To tackle multiple tasks under tight deadlines, create a prioritized list of deliverables based on urgency and impact. Utilize tools like spreadsheets to track progress and deadlines, and communicate with your team to delegate effectively. Showcase a specific instance where you successfully managed competing deadlines to illustrate your method.

For payroll processing, I utilize automated workflows to ensure accuracy and efficiency. I typically review timekeeping reports and reconciliate expense reports carefully. I also ensure compliance with tax regulations and make adjustments as needed. Sharing a specific instance when you resolved a payroll inconsistency can add great value to your answer.

When encountering discrepancies in financial reports, I take a systematic approach by tracing each entry, verifying against source documents, and collaborating with team members to address any errors. Discuss a particular discrepancy you addressed successfully to show your problem-solving skills.

Effective communication in accounting involves clarity, transparency, and regular updates with your team and stakeholders. I believe in holding regular check-in meetings and using collaborative tools to share updates and ensure everyone is aligned. Sharing a specific scenario where clear communication facilitated success would be beneficial.

In my previous roles, I've been responsible for preparing and submitting sales tax reports by carefully tracking sales data across jurisdictions. I'd ensure all calculations are thoroughly checked for accuracy and meet deadlines consistently. Sharing how you’ve navigated any challenges in this area will highlight your expertise.

Many find the complex regulations around government accounting to be challenging, including prerequisites for compliance. Highlight how your experience in navigating these complexities has prepared you for the specific challenges in the Senior Staff Accountant role at phia. Discuss your strategies for keeping up with changing regulations to demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to continuous learning.

To ensure accuracy in financial statements, I maintain meticulous attention to detail and conduct regular reconciliations throughout the accounting period. Establishing clear verification protocols and seeking input from colleagues also helps enhance accuracy. Sharing a specific example where this approach led to error prevention can make your response stronger.