Staff Accountant POST NUMBER: 481742

Client: Creative Agency 
Job Title: Staff Accountant 
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Onsite-4 days onsite 1 day from home 
Pay Rate - $25/hr-$31/hr
Contract to Length: 1-3 month temp potential to convert 

Staff Accountant

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Staff Accountant to support accounting operations, accounts payable processes, payment workflows, and month-end close activities. This role will play a key part in maintaining accurate financial records, improving process efficiency, and ensuring timely execution of day-to-day accounting functions.

The ideal candidate is proactive, process-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities. This individual will collaborate closely with finance leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to support financial operations and strengthen internal controls.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Month-End Close

• Assist with month-end close activities, including account reconciliations, journal entry preparation, schedule maintenance, and balance sheet account analysis.
• Reconcile cash, clearing accounts, accounts payable, and other assigned balance sheet accounts.
• Maintain accurate and organized supporting documentation to ensure audit readiness.
• Identify discrepancies and support resolution efforts to improve data accuracy and financial reporting integrity.

Accounts Payable & Payment Processing

• Process vendor invoices, ensuring proper coding, documentation, and approval routing.
• Support the full accounts payable cycle, from invoice intake through payment preparation.
• Prepare payment support packages and maintain visibility into payment status and workflow progress.
• Maintain vendor records, including tax documentation, addresses, payment information, and related compliance requirements.
• Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies, duplicate payments, payment exceptions, and vendor inquiries.
• Assist with annual vendor tax reporting and documentation requirements, including 1099 support.

Invoice & Transaction Support

• Partner with internal stakeholders to research and resolve invoice discrepancies and transaction-related issues.
• Review supporting documentation to ensure transactions are accurately recorded and properly documented.
• Escalate exceptions and recommend solutions to facilitate timely resolution.

Process Improvement & Documentation

• Develop and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, checklists, and workflow trackers.
• Support efforts to improve efficiency, standardization, and automation across accounting processes.
• Assist with system implementations, process enhancements, and integration of new workflows.
• Promote consistent use of accounting and financial systems to improve reporting accuracy and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• 3 years of accounting experience in a fast-paced business environment.
• Experience supporting month-end close activities, reconciliations, and general accounting functions.
• Hands-on experience with accounts payable processing and payment workflows.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and internal controls.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Experience with accounting software, expense management tools, bill pay platforms, and online banking systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a professional services, agency, project-based, or service-oriented environment.
• Exposure to process improvement initiatives and workflow optimization.
• Experience working in a growing or evolving organization.

Success in This Role

• Consistently delivers accurate and timely accounting support.
• Maintains strong controls and well-organized financial documentation.
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes and operational efficiency.
• Builds collaborative relationships across teams and effectively resolves issues.
• Contributes to a scalable and well-controlled accounting function.