Staff Accountant

As a Staff Accountant at our Atlanta office, your primary responsibilities will include preparing journal entries, reconciling bank statements, and managing inter-company transactions. You’ll also supervise accounts payable activities, assist in preparing financial statements, and contribute to annual budgets and forecasts. Your role will require a solid understanding of GAAP and IFRS to ensure all financial documentation is accurate and compliant.

To be considered for the Staff Accountant role, you should have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, along with a minimum of 3 years of general ledger accounting experience; 5 years or more is preferred. Additionally, strong technical skills in Microsoft Excel and experience with Sage 300 accounting software are valuable assets. Excellent communication and analytical skills are also crucial for success in this role.

The Staff Accountant plays a crucial role in ensuring the financial health of the company by managing financial transactions accurately, preparing critical reports, and supporting month-end and year-end processes. Your attention to detail and analytical skills will help identify discrepancies, improve accounting processes, and ultimately contribute to sound financial decision-making within the organization.

In the Staff Accountant role, you will primarily work with Sage 300 accounting software, where you'll enter journal entries and manage other financial records. Additionally, you'll be using advanced features of Microsoft Excel extensively for data analysis, reconciliation, and financial reporting. Familiarity with these systems will set you up for success in this role.

As a Staff Accountant, you'll be joining a supportive and collaborative team environment. Communication is key, as you'll frequently interact with employees across various departments, as well as with vendors and subcontractors. This role will give you the chance to develop strong relationships, share knowledge, and work together towards common financial goals.

In your response, highlight specific instances where you applied GAAP principles in your previous roles. Discuss the importance of adhering to these standards to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance, detailing how you've contributed to maintaining these standards in your work.

Describe a specific situation where you identified a discrepancy. Explain your process for investigating the issue, including the steps you took to rectify it and the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining the trust of stakeholders.

Discuss your approach to monthly reconciliations, emphasizing organization and attention to detail. Explain how you prioritize tasks, adhere to deadlines, and utilize software tools to improve accuracy and efficiency in this process.

Talk about your familiarity and experience with Sage 300 or similar accounting software. Highlight specific tasks you've performed, such as entering journal entries or generating reports, and how these experiences have equipped you to navigate the software effectively.

Provide an example that illustrates your time management and prioritization skills. Detail the context, your approach to managing your workload, and the successful outcome to showcase your ability to work effectively under pressure.

Explain your understanding of relevant accounting regulations and the steps you take to stay updated on changes. Describe how you review financial processes and reports to ensure compliance and avoid potential challenges.

Highlight the importance of clear communication with team members, management, and external stakeholders. Discuss how you effectively relay complex financial information to non-financial personnel to foster an understanding of financial principles and practices.

Discuss how you proactively engage with other departments to ensure accurate financial reporting and provide support where needed. Explain your willingness to share insights and educate others about the financial implications of their activities.

Provide details of a specific project where your skills made a significant impact, whether it was improving a process, reducing costs, or enhancing compliance. Specify your role and the results achieved.

Discuss a particular challenge you have faced, whether it be managing tight deadlines, adapting to regulatory changes, or dealing with complex reconciliations. Outline your strategies for overcoming these challenges and maintaining a high standard of work.