Staff Accountant

Position Purpose Participate in the month‑end closing process. Monitor entries in the General Ledger to ensure appropriate allocation, determine if reclassifications are required, explain variances, and analyze accounts to avoid year‑end audit exposure. Develop and recommend new procedures, processes, and policies for the accounting operations of the assigned function. Serve as an accounting business partner to the assigned function on moderately complex issues. Analyze, research, and reconcile selected accounts and cost discrepancies. Communicate effectively with field associates, corporate support staff, and management to ensure accounting issues are addressed by the appropriate individuals. Protect Petco’s accounting data received from internal and external sources. Essential Job Functions Interact professionally and effectively through verbal and written communication with all professional contacts, emphasizing company interests. Efficiently create complex documents and reports using spreadsheet, database, and accounting software in a timely fashion. Independently prioritize and accomplish multiple tasks within established timeframes. Analyze simple to moderately complex data to determine the appropriate course of action. Perform accounting duties and control activities to ensure financial results are reported without error. Research and analyze selective data sets and accounts pertaining to the specific functional area of accounting. Prepare month‑end journal entries, reconciliations, budgets, forms, reports, and schedules related to the accounts in the specific area of focus. Effectively communicate with field partners, corporate support staff, and senior management, ensuring issues related to accounting are communicated to the appropriate impacted partners for action. Analyze problems, research root causes, and overcome roadblocks to functional success. Other Duties and Responsibilities Perform additional duties as required, including special projects as assigned. Rotate through various functional areas of Accounting to learn processes, understand relationships between groups, and the overall impact each team has on Petco. Be flexible and available to provide coverage and support for positions in various functional areas of accounting (e.g., General Accounting, Inventory Accounting, Accounts Payable). Work productively in the face of ambiguity and accept constructive feedback. Protect confidential information and respect others who must protect their confidences. Identify process weaknesses, develop proposed improvements, and collaboratively implement solutions to drive efficiency and increased profitability. Actively seek development opportunities for hard and soft skills within the organization and seek feedback from senior partners. Perform analyses of actual versus budget, reclassify errors, explain variances, and interface with other departments to provide instruction on proper classification of expenses. Provide understandable explanations to peers and management that may not possess accounting knowledge or a financial background. Accounts Payable High‑level account reconciliations related to un‑vouchered, tie‑out receipts to merchandise; conduct research in conjunction with Accounts Payable Dispute Resolution; process all journal entries; review vendor set‑up and maintenance changes to ensure compliance; provide a level of control for Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX). Accounts Receivable Reconcile Accounts – Management Review Controls (MRC) Category 1 and Category 2; publish reports, complete analyses of accounts, aging schedules, and review specialist work (billing, bank deposits, etc.). Maintain and update proprietary departmental databases; assist specialists/analysts with issues; engage senior/lead managers to resolve inter‑departmental issues; complete journal entries; understand the purpose of the account(s) owned and general understanding of offsetting activity. General Accounting Respond to general ledger information requests received on the Profit & Loss (P&L) Hotline from field personnel and other teams outside accounting; prepare accruals and re‑classes and assist the field in understanding P&L account variances. Responsible for monthly utilities accrual and variance analysis to budget/forecast; collaborate with energy/construction team to ensure accurate and complete maintenance within Ecova. Assist in reviewing store and general & administrative expense accounts during month‑end closing; collaborate with other departments to provide instruction on proper classification of expenses. Manage payroll recognition, reconcile bank accounts, manage accruals for paid time off, and track and report unclaimed property to each state. Inventory Accounting (IA)/Vendor Funding Facilitate interface of stock ledger to general ledger; perform associated controls to validate integrity and accuracy; complete IA‑400 Inventory Report; weekly weighted average cost review; complete IA portion of Borrowing Base Certificate; review and address all RMS to GL mapping concerns; submit monthly changes; evaluate wholesale inventory and sales activity for accuracy and validity; post accruals and follow up on aged items; complete and submit Census Bureau surveys; research and respond to P&L hotline inquiries involving stock ledger activity. Lease & Fixed Asset Accounting Review, update, and disburse all monthly recurring payments (rent, leases, subleases, CAM, taxes) according to lease documents; prepare all month‑end journal entries related to property accounting; accrue for CAM and produce schedules for prepaid rent and security deposits; monitor accounts and keep the lease administrator informed; assist in preparing annual budget and year‑end audit schedules; review check runs for authenticity of rent payments; prepare amortization schedules for items such as tenant improvement allowances and prepaid occupancy costs. Payroll Intermediate knowledge of PeopleSoft (PSFT) payroll; responsible for some payroll process tasks as assigned; primary analysis of compensation, W‑2, and general ledger issues; frequent interaction with all levels of management and employees. Physical Inventory Accounting Assist with inventories, journal entries, reconciliations, and accounting functions within the group; report to stores, include Monthly Aquatic Physical Inventory (MAPI) and Monthly Shrink Reporting; perform deep analysis of stock count issues. Sales Audit Perform review and close stores from Retail Sale Audit (ReSA); resolve situations that may cause a store to be on hold; review bank statements, directly contact stores; responsible for T‑Rec (reconciliation tool) of banking amounts and discrepancies; maintain the database; address counterfeit bills and discrepancy issues; review and distribute mailbox; journal entries for open account stores; handle third‑party gift card requests. Maintain ReSA system, work with IT, override errors, perform T‑Rec entries, GL validation files, and close T‑Recs monthly; handle high‑value Dragons & Smith chargebacks and vetco entries. Tax, Corporate Basic corporate income tax law knowledge and application; understand GAAP and IRS differences; assist with calculation of federal tax provisions at quarterly and yearly ends; prepare information for audited financial statements. Tax, Sales & Use Monthly sales and use tax data collection and filing; process personal property tax bills; handle sales & use tax audits and refund projects; manage Puerto Rico sales tax releases; perform close functions for tax; file environmental fees based on state requirements; preferred Certified Member of the Institute of Taxation (CMI) for Sales Tax. Nature of Supervision Routine work performed independently with occasional supervision and personal judgment. Periodic monitoring required. Supervisory Responsibility Does not directly or indirectly supervise or manage any partners or lead cross‑functional work groups. Planning and Problem Solving Prioritize work assignments using planning and time management skills. Required to solve moderate to complex problems; advanced problem‑solving skills preferred. Identify and elevate larger issues to supervisor/manager for guidance. Impact Flexible and mobile to provide support in various areas of Accounting when and where resources are needed. Validate and ensure the accuracy and integrity of Petco’s accounting and financial data through controlled accounting processes. Education and Experience 4‑year degree in Accounting/Finance or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Solid understanding of accounting principles equivalent to a college‑level Intermediate Accounting course. Minimum 3 to 5 years of junior or staff accountant experience preferred. Required Skills Strong communication skills in English; convey accounting concepts to non‑accounting associates. Good interpersonal skills; interaction with other department personnel and senior management. Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access); 10‑key proficiency. Accurate, detail‑oriented, proficient with personal computer programs; trainable on company‑specific systems. Engage peers and leaders of the business with poise and confidence. Analyze business decisions critically; engage in constructive conversations regarding alternative viewpoints. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of fundamentals of various accounting functional areas. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects or priorities. Previous experience with PeopleSoft financial software. Work Environment Majority of duties conducted indoors in a quiet standard office environment; little to no exposure to hazards. Frequent use of general office equipment. No extended travel required; sporadic travel for training may occur. May require work on Saturdays or Sundays. Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification. #J-18808-Ljbffr Petco