Staff Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Staff Accountant

The Staff Accountant is responsible for performing full-cycle accounting activities in support of a government contracting (GovCon) organization. This role manages day-to-day accounting functions, assists with month-end and year-end close processes, supports project accounting activities, and ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and company policies.

The ideal candidate will have experience working within a government contracting environment and utilizing Unanet ERP to support accounting, project reporting, billing, and financial management functions. This position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate across departments to ensure accurate financial reporting and operational efficiency.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

General Accounting

• Perform full-cycle accounting functions including journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and financial analysis.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate variances.
• Assist with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Support preparation of financial statements and management reporting packages.
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and GAAP.

Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable

• Process vendor invoices and employee expense reports.
• Review and reconcile vendor statements.
• Generate customer invoices and monitor collections activity.
• Research and resolve invoice discrepancies and payment issues.
• Maintain accurate aging schedules and support cash flow management.

Government Contract Accounting

• Support accounting activities related to cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials (T&M), fixed-price, and other government contract types.
• Monitor project costs, indirect rates, labor allocations, and contract funding.
• Assist with incurred cost submissions and indirect rate calculations.
• Support compliance with FAR, CAS, DCAA, and other government contracting requirements.
• Maintain documentation supporting contract accounting transactions and audits.

Unanet ERP Administration & Reporting

• Utilize Unanet ERP for project setup, labor reporting, billing support, revenue recognition, and financial reporting.
• Maintain project and contract data within the ERP system.
• Assist users with accounting-related system questions and troubleshooting.
• Develop and analyze financial and operational reports from Unanet.
• Support process improvements and system optimization initiatives.

Billing & Revenue Recognition

• Assist with contract billing processes and invoice preparation.
• Review labor, subcontractor, and direct cost transactions for billing accuracy.
• Support revenue recognition in accordance with contract requirements and accounting standards.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Program Managers to ensure timely and accurate billing.

Audit & Compliance Support

• Assist with annual financial statement audits and government audits.
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Ensure accounting records are maintained in accordance with internal controls and regulatory requirements.
• Support implementation and monitoring of accounting policies and procedures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Contracts, Project Management, Human Resources, and Operations teams to ensure accurate project accounting.
• Provide financial information and analysis to support business decision-making.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and accuracy.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2+ years of accounting experience; government contracting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience performing full-cycle accounting functions including general ledger, reconciliations, month-end close, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Working knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Experience using Unanet ERP or similar project-based accounting systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and financial analysis.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a government contracting environment.
• Familiarity with FAR, CAS, DCAA audit requirements, and indirect rate structures.
• Experience with contract billing and project accounting.
• Knowledge of timekeeping, labor distribution, and revenue recognition within Unanet.
• CPA designation or CPA-track candidate preferred.

Key Competencies

• General Ledger Accounting
• Month-End & Year-End Close
• Account Reconciliations
• Financial Reporting
• Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable
• Government Contract Accounting
• Project Accounting
• Unanet ERP
• Contract Billing
• FAR & DCAA Compliance
• Audit Support
• Data Analysis & Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management & Organization