Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant About the Role Zero Hiring is partnering with a leading multi-location retail organisation to recruit a Senior Accountant for their Edison, NJ finance team. Our client is the #1 selling furniture brand in the world and the #1 retailer of furniture and bedding in the United States. With 20+ retail locations across the tri-state area and continued expansion ahead, this role plays a critical part in managing the financial backbone of a high-volume, multi-location operation. Position Summary We are looking for a hands-on, forward-thinking Senior Accountant who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and is ready to take on leadership responsibilities. Key Responsibilities Month-End Close & Financial Reporting: Coordinate and execute monthly and quarterly close activities in accordance with GAAP — including preparing and posting journal entries, reconciling and analyzing balance sheet accounts, and producing accurate internal financial statements and management reports. Variance & Budget Analysis: Analyze and explain budget-to-actual variances and period-over-period financial changes on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, providing clear, actionable insights to leadership to support business decision-making. Store Operations Accounting: Manage accounting activities related to new store openings, relocations, and monthly rent and occupancy cost analysis across all retail locations, ensuring accuracy and alignment with operational decisions. Lease & Fixed Asset Management: Oversee lease accounting under ASC 842, including evaluation of new and modified contracts, preparation of required schedules, and maintenance of accurate fixed asset records—additions, disposals, depreciation, and reconciliation. Sales & Use Tax Compliance: Prepare, file, and analyze multi-jurisdictional sales and use tax returns to ensure compliance with state and local regulations; proactively identify discrepancies or risk areas. Audit & Compliance: Lead the annual audit process by coordinating directly with external auditors, preparing supporting schedules, and ensuring timely and accurate submission of all required documentation. System & Process Optimization: Identify, design, and implement improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, automation, and scalability within accounting processes, ERP systems, and reporting tools. Strategic Support: Partner with the Accounting Manager and VP of Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and ad hoc financial analyses that drive strategic initiatives, operational performance, and company growth. Schedule Expectations Full-time Position - Minimum of 40 hours per week Hybrid Schedule: Mon/Tues/Thurs in office required Education & Experience Requirements Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required; strong foundational accounting knowledge is essential for success in this role. CPA credential or active progress toward CPA preferred, reflecting the technical depth required for GAAP compliance, lease accounting, audit leadership, and future managerial responsibilities. Required Experience: 4–7 years of progressive accounting experience, ideally within a retail, multi-entity, or high-volume operating environment. Demonstrated expertise in month-end close, financial statement preparation, account reconciliations, and variance analysis. Strong working knowledge of GAAP, including hands-on experience with lease accounting under ASC 842 and fixed asset accounting. Experience utilizing and navigating multiple ERP systems, with the ability to troubleshoot issues, streamline workflows, and support system enhancements. Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas, data modeling) to support analysis and reporting requirements. Proven experience supporting or leading audit preparation, including developing schedules, reconciling supporting documentation, and interacting with external auditors. Demonstrated ability to mentor or train team members, reflecting readiness for a succession track into Accounting Manager. Preferred Experience & Technical Skills: Experience with Power BI, Power Query, Power Pivot, or data warehouse reporting tools to support automation, dashboarding, and enhanced analytics. Background in sales and use of tax compliance or multi-jurisdictional tax filings. Exposure to new store accounting, lease review, and operational accounting in a multi-location retail model. Experience driving process improvements that increase accuracy, automation, or efficiency within accounting operations. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong analytical thinking with the ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to support collaboration with leadership, store operations, auditors, and cross-functional partners. High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in all accounting processes. Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to improve existing workflows and build scalable processes for a growing retail organization. Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines while maintaining a high standard of quality. Compensation & Benefits Base salary: $95,000–$115,000 annually, based on qualifications and experience 401(k) with company match Medical, dental, and vision benefits starting as low as $25 a week Paid time off and holiday pay Referral bonuses up to $1,000 Eligibility for company profit-sharing programme Our Hiring Process We've designed our process to get you from application to offer in 2–3 weeks — no lengthy waiting periods, no unnecessary stages. Step 1 — AI Interview (within 48 hours of applying) Complete a short AI-powered interview at a time that suits you. No scheduling required — you choose when you do it, and it can be completed within 48 hours of applying. Step 2 — Recruiter Call A member of the Zero Hiring team will reach out to walk you through the role and the business in more detail, answer your questions, and make sure this is the right fit on both sides. Step 3 — Client Interviews You'll meet the team. Typically 2–3 interviews with the hiring organisation, designed to give both parties a thorough and genuine sense of fit. Step 4 — Offer If it's a match, we move fast. Expect a clear, timely offer without the drawn-out back-and-forth.