Staff Accountant

As a Staff Accountant at SEP, you'll be responsible for managing accounts receivable and accounts payable, ensuring timely invoicing and vendor payments. Additionally, you'll close the books monthly, reconcile financial accounts and credit cards, and prepare internal financial statements. Your role will also involve analyzing financial information to provide insights to management, and collaborating with various departments to gather necessary financial data.

To become a Staff Accountant at SEP, you need a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, along with at least 3 years of accounting experience, ideally in professional services. Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, is essential. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities will set you up for success in this role.

At SEP, you can expect a vibrant and supportive work culture that values innovation, teamwork, and employee ownership. Recognized as one of Indiana's Best Places to Work, we focus on ensuring employees feel valued and inspired to perform their best work. Your role as a Staff Accountant will be crucial, and you'll work in a collaborative environment that encourages professional growth and development.

SEP offers a comprehensive benefits package for Staff Accountants, including health, dental, and vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, HSA/FSA options, and a 401k plan with employer contributions. Additionally, we provide access to fitness classes, an on-site gym, generous time-off policies, and paid parental leave, ensuring that our employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Yes, at SEP, we actively promote career growth and development for our employees, including Staff Accountants. You will have the opportunity to take on diverse accounting responsibilities, participate in financial forecasting, and suggest improvements in reporting processes. We also emphasize ongoing learning and support, making it an ideal place for you to advance your career.

When answering this question, focus on your specific experiences, illustrating how you managed client invoicing and vendor payments. Discuss any systems or software you used, your attention to detail, and how you handled discrepancies or follow-ups, as this will demonstrate your capabilities in managing these critical processes.

To ensure compliance with accounting standards, I stay updated with the latest regulations and best practices in the industry, and I make it a point to regularly review our financial processes. Show your understanding of GAAP and other relevant standards, and discuss any specific measures you've implemented in past roles to ensure compliance.

Discuss your systematic approach to preparing financial statements. Mention the tools and software you rely on, your method for gathering financial data, and your attention to detail. Emphasize the importance of accuracy and timelines when presenting financial statements to stakeholders.

Provide a specific example of when you found a discrepancy between accounts or during reconciliation. Explain how you investigated the issue, the steps you took to resolve it, and the outcome, highlighting your analytical skills and your commitment to maintaining accurate financial records.

When answering this question, emphasize your organizational skills and the systems you put in place to prioritize tasks. Discuss how you manage deadlines and communicate with team members, ensuring that all responsibilities are handled efficiently, especially during critical times like month-end or year-end closing.

Discuss your proficiency with different accounting software, specifically QuickBooks and any other platforms you've used in your previous roles. Elaborate on how these tools have assisted you in managing financial processes and generating reports, showcasing your technical skills and adaptability.

Share strategies you employ to manage stress and maintain productivity under tight deadlines. Focus on your time management skills, how you break tasks into manageable parts, and your communication skills with your team to ensure that everyone stays aligned and informed.

Discuss any roles where you were involved in budget preparation and financial forecasting. Describe your processes for gathering data, analyzing trends, and collaborating with different departments to create accurate and realistic budgets, emphasizing the insights this brings to management.

Share a specific example of a financial report you prepared, detailing what information was included, whom it was for, and how it contributed to decision-making. Highlight your analytical skills and your ability to present complex data in an understandable format.

When answering this question, show your knowledge about SEP and genuinely express your enthusiasm about its values and culture. Discuss your desire to contribute to a supportive environment while applying your accounting expertise to help drive the company's financial success.