Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant

We are seeking an experienced Staff Accountant to join our public accounting firm. This position combines tax preparation and review, full-cycle accounting and bookkeeping, financial reporting, account reconciliation, and client relationship management. The ideal candidate has public accounting experience, strong technical accounting and tax knowledge, and the ability to independently manage multiple client accounts while supporting and mentoring junior staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and review federal and state tax returns, including 1040, 1065, 1120, 1120-S, 1041, and 990.
• Perform tax research and planning and assist with tax projections, estimated payments, extensions, and year-end planning.
• Maintain and review full-cycle bookkeeping for multiple business clients.
• Manage and reconcile general ledger accounts, identifying and correcting discrepancies.
• Perform monthly bank, credit card, loan, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare and post journal entries, adjusting entries, accruals, and reclassifications.
• Assist with and review accounts payable and accounts receivable, including aging reports and account activity.
• Perform month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing procedures.
• Review client books for accuracy, proper account classification, and completeness prior to tax preparation.
• Prepare trial balances, workpapers, supporting schedules, and account analyses.
• Prepare and review income statements, balance sheets, cash flow reports, and other financial statements.
• Analyze financial results and identify unusual account activity, variances, trends, or potential accounting issues.
• Assist clients with QuickBooks setup, cleanup, chart-of-accounts management, and accounting process improvements.
• Maintain fixed-asset schedules and assist with depreciation and other year-end accounting adjustments.
• Coordinate accounting records with payroll, sales tax, 1099 reporting, and other compliance requirements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned clients, answering accounting and tax questions and providing proactive guidance.
• Communicate with clients to obtain financial records, resolve discrepancies, and ensure timely completion of accounting and tax engagements.
• Review work prepared by staff accountants and bookkeepers and provide coaching, feedback, and technical guidance.
• Assist with IRS and state tax notices, correspondence, documentation, and resolution.
• Ensure work complies with applicable accounting principles, IRS regulations, state requirements, and firm quality standards.
• Manage multiple client engagements and deadlines while maintaining accurate documentation and organized workpapers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA or CPA-eligible status preferred.
• 3-6+ years of accounting experience, preferably within a public accounting firm.
• Strong knowledge of individual, partnership, corporate, and business taxation.
• Strong understanding of general ledger accounting, financial statements, adjusting entries, reconciliations, and month-end/year-end close.
• Demonstrated experience with bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and account reconciliation.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks and professional tax preparation software.
• Strong Excel and general Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to analyze financial information, research discrepancies, and independently resolve accounting issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain accounting and tax matters to clients.
• Excellent organization, accuracy, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, projects, and deadlines in a deadline-driven public accounting environment.
• Experience reviewing or mentoring junior accounting staff preferred.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Career growth and advancement opportunities.
• Supportive, collaborative team environment.
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of individual and business clients.
• Continuing education and professional development.
• CPA support.
• Flexible work options, where applicable.