Senior Accountant

About Sarasota Paradise Sarasota Paradise is a professional soccer club competing in USL League One and is committed to building a championship organization both on and off the field. As a growing organization, we value collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. We are seeking a hands‑on accounting professional who is excited to contribute to a dynamic environment and help build scalable financial processes that support the Club's continued growth. Position Summary The Senior Accountant is responsible for owning the day‑to‑day accounting operations and the month‑end close process for Sarasota Paradise. This position oversees accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, sales tax compliance, financial reporting, and general ledger accounting while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of Sarasota Paradise's financial records. As a key member of a lean finance team, the Senior Accountant is expected to work independently with minimal supervision, exercise sound professional judgment, proactively identify and resolve accounting issues, and continuously improve accounting processes. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on accounting professional who enjoys taking ownership across multiple areas of the accounting function and thrives in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment. This is a full‑time, on‑site position based in Sarasota, Florida. To promote successful onboarding and collaboration with the team, the selected candidate is expected to work on‑site during the first 90 days of employment. Following successful completion of the introductory period and based on business needs and performance, the position may transition to a hybrid work schedule. Essential Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Month-End Close Own the monthly, quarterly, and year‑end close processes. Prepare accurate and timely monthly financial statements, supporting schedules, and management reports. Prepare monthly income statement commentary, including explanations of budget‑to‑actual and month‑over‑month variances. Record and post journal entries, including accruals, amortization, prepaid expenses, payroll, and other recurring and non‑recurring transactions. Prepare and reconcile balance sheet accounts, investigating and resolving discrepancies. Perform bank reconciliations and cash reconciliations. Research accounting issues and recommend appropriate accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP. Maintain supporting documentation for all accounting transactions. Accounts Payable Manage the accounts payable process from invoice receipt through payment. Review invoices for appropriate coding, approvals, and supporting documentation. Maintain vendor records and respond to vendor inquiries. Resolve invoice discrepancies and payment issues in a timely manner. Ensure timely payment of vendor obligations while managing Sarasota Paradise's cash flow priorities. Accounts Receivable Prepare and distribute customer invoices, including seasonal sponsorship billings. Monitor accounts receivable aging and proactively manage collections. Apply customer payments and reconcile customer accounts. Communicate with sponsors and customers regarding billing inquiries and outstanding balances. Payroll Administration Process payroll accurately and timely using Sarasota Paradise's payroll system. Maintain employee payroll records, deductions, benefits, PTO balances, and payroll changes. Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and prepare payroll journal entries. Coordinate payroll tax filings and year‑end reporting with payroll providers as needed. Respond to employee payroll‑related inquiries. Corporate Credit Card Administration Review Ramp credit card transactions for proper accounting classification, supporting documentation, and compliance with Sarasota Paradise policies. Follow up with cardholders regarding missing receipts, coding corrections, and policy exceptions. Reconcile monthly corporate credit card activity. Tax Compliance Prepare and file sales tax returns in applicable jurisdictions. Maintain supporting documentation for tax filings. Assist with annual tax preparation and respond to requests from external tax advisors. Research tax questions and monitor changes affecting compliance. General Accounting & Process Improvement Maintain the integrity of Sarasota Paradise's general ledger and accounting records. Assist with annual financial audits and provide requested supporting documentation. Recommend and implement improvements to accounting processes, internal controls, and financial reporting. Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures. Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and other financial analysis projects as assigned. Support special projects and perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance. Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience. Experience independently managing month‑end close and preparing financial statements. Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and sales tax compliance. Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles. Experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage, or similar ERP systems. Experience with payroll systems (Gusto, ADP, Paychex, or similar). Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong understanding of general ledger accounting and financial reporting. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities. Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills. High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to research accounting issues and recommend practical solutions. Ability to build effective working relationships with employees, vendors, customers, sponsors, and external business partners. Demonstrated ability to improve processes and identify operational efficiencies. High level of integrity and ability to maintain confidential financial information. Preferred Qualifications CPA designation or progress toward CPA certification is a plus. Experience in sports, entertainment, hospitality, or event‑based businesses is preferred. Experience with Ramp, Stripe, Square, and cloud‑based accounting platforms is preferred. Experience working in a small or entrepreneurial organization where flexibility, accountability, and cross‑functional collaboration are essential. Compensation Compensation aligned with experience and qualifications. We are committed to offering market‑leading compensation for exceptional candidates. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sarasota Paradise