Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant - Accounts Receivable & Cash

Department: Finance & Accounting

Reports To: Senior Accountant

System: ERP System

FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary

The Staff Accountant - AR & Cash is a hands-on individual contributor responsible for managing the full accounts receivable and cash reconciliation functions within the organization's ERP system. This role owns the entire order-to-cash cycle-from invoice generation through cash application and bank reconciliation-while developing the accounting skills necessary for future advancement into a Senior Accountant role. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career accountant seeking broad ERP and accounting experience in a dynamic and growing environment.

Core Responsibilities

Accounts Receivable - Full Cycle

• Generate and distribute customer invoices following shipment of goods, ensuring accuracy against sales orders, shipping documentation, and purchase orders.
• Process credit memos, return authorizations, and billing adjustments as needed.
• Ensure proper general ledger coding, tax treatment, and customer-specific pricing on all invoices.
• Monitor accounts receivable aging reports and follow up on past-due balances via phone and email.
• Document collection activities and customer communications within the ERP system.
• Coordinate customer credit holds and releases with management.
• Set up and maintain customer records, including billing addresses, payment terms, and tax exemption certificates.
• Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies related to pricing, quantities, or shipping issues through cross-functional collaboration.

Cash Application - Full Cycle

• Post customer payments daily, including checks, ACH payments, wire transfers, and credit card transactions.
• Apply payments accurately to open invoices and resolve partial payments, short payments, and unapplied cash.
• Process and document customer deductions and disputes.
• Reconcile daily cash receipts to bank deposits.
• Record miscellaneous cash receipts, including refunds and other deposits.

Bank Reconciliation & Cash Management

• Perform monthly bank reconciliations for assigned bank accounts.
• Match cleared transactions to bank statement activity and resolve timing differences and exceptions.
• Record bank-related adjustments such as fees, NSF checks, merchant fees, and interest income.
• Reconcile cash management subledgers to general ledger cash accounts monthly.
• Escalate unresolved reconciliation items within the close period as appropriate.
• Assist with daily cash position reporting to support cash flow visibility.

Month-End Close

• Reconcile the AR subledger to the general ledger each month and resolve variances.
• Prepare and post journal entries related to accounts receivable activities, including bad debt expense and write-offs.
• Maintain the allowance for doubtful accounts schedule and aging analysis.
• Complete assigned AR and cash-related close tasks according to established deadlines.
• Prepare AR aging reports and bank reconciliation summaries for management review.

Sales Tax & Compliance

• Verify appropriate sales tax application on customer invoices.
• Maintain customer tax exemption certificates and related records.
• Support sales tax reconciliations and filing preparation as needed.

Documentation & Process Improvement

• Maintain organized records of invoices, remittance advice, bank statements, and customer communications.
• Document accounts receivable and cash management procedures.
• Support internal and external audits by providing transaction details and reconciliations.
• Identify process improvements and workflow efficiencies.

Skills & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 1-3 years of accounting or accounts receivable experience; strong internship experience may be considered in lieu of professional experience.
• Experience with an ERP system preferred; ability to quickly learn and become proficient in new systems required.
• Basic understanding of GAAP, including receivables, cash accounting, and revenue recognition principles.
• Ability to independently manage processes in a collaborative team environment.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, and reconciliation schedules.
• Experience with accounts receivable, cash application, and bank reconciliation processes.
• Familiarity with journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, and month-end close activities.

Professional Skills

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills with both customers and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a growing organization with evolving processes.
• Interest in pursuing CPA or CMA certification is preferred.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.