Accounting Specialist

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 5:00 Salary: $65,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience Sapphire Recruitment is partnering with a growing Central New York organization to hire an Accounting & Operations Specialist . This is a hands-on generalist role working directly with the CFO and supporting accounting, financial reporting, systems, and day-to-day operations. This position is a strong fit for someone who enjoys variety, takes ownership of their work, and is comfortable moving between detailed accounting responsibilities, financial analysis, and operational projects. Responsibilities Maintain the general ledger, prepare journal entries, and support month-end and year-end close. Manage full-cycle accounts payable and accounts receivable, including vendor payments and customer invoicing. Complete bank and credit-card reconciliations and investigate discrepancies. Process payroll entries, reconcile payroll liabilities, and maintain related records. Prepare monthly profit-and-loss, balance-sheet, and cash-flow statements. Support year-end CPA and tax-preparation activities, including 1099 reporting. Build and maintain KPI reporting for revenue, cost of goods, and operating expenses. Perform budget-to-actual and prior-period variance analysis and communicate findings to leadership. Assist with budgeting, forecasting, financial models, and cost-saving or margin-improvement initiatives. Create and maintain advanced Excel workbooks using pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, formulas, and data-management tools. Import, clean, and reconcile data from QuickBooks Online, payroll, POS, and other business systems. Support software implementations, integrations, data migrations, vendor management, contract tracking, digital records, and special projects. Provide additional operational and HR-related support as business needs evolve. Qualifications 2+ years of hands-on QuickBooks Online experience, including bookkeeping, reconciliations, and reporting. Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, formulas, and data management. Experience managing multiple priorities in a small-business, fast-paced, or similarly hands-on environment. Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues and explain financial information clearly. High level of accuracy, discretion, integrity, and accountability. Ability to work independently, take initiative, and learn new systems quickly. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Preferred Experience Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field. QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor certification or willingness to obtain it. Experience with Paychex, ADP, or other payroll platforms. Familiarity with POS systems and financial-system integrations. Experience in a multi-location, restaurant, franchise, retail, hospitality, or similar environment. Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, Excel automation, or software implementation. Position Highlights Work directly with the CFO and gain exposure to business decisions and operations. Take ownership of a broad range of accounting and operational responsibilities. Join a growing organization where initiative and process-improvement ideas are valued. Build experience across accounting, reporting, financial analysis, technology, and operations. Competitive salary of $65,000-$75,000 , health insurance, 401(k), paid time off, and professional growth opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr