Senior Accountant

Senior AccountantA career path to Controller on an AI-focused finance teamCompany: Group OneLocation: Union, New JerseyEmployment type: Full-timeClassification: Salaried, [exempt]Reports to: CFO (acting Controller)About UsGroup One is a privately held family of businesses providing manpower, facility, security, parking and vending services to airports, airlines and commercial customers. We run a dozen entities from Union, New Jersey, on a modern cloud ERP. We are rebuilding our finance team around AI and AI-assisted workflows as the normal way of working, not an experiment on the side.Compensation$78,000 to $82,000 per year. Placement in the range depends on experience and qualifications.ScheduleDays: Monday to FridayOn site: Full time at our Union, NJ officePosition SummaryThis is a career path, and we're saying so up front. Our CFO is currently acting as Controller and is hiring this role to develop a successor for that function. You'll be introduced to the company deliberately and take on backup responsibility for Controller functions one at a time. Our goal is for the right person to step into the Controller role within about four years, based on performance and the needs of the business.Our finance team uses AI and automation tools like Claude as part of everyday work, so routine tasks take less time and there's more room for analysis and growth. We're looking for someone who already works this way and enjoys finding better ways to get things done.What You'll DoBuild and run AI-assisted workflows in Claude for each recurring task you own, find new tasks to automate, and document the procedure behind each one so the work never depends on one personPrepare the monthly close for multiple entities and deliver P&L and balance sheet packages for Controller review, then take on that review yourself over timeKeep every balance sheet account reconciled and supported, with an owner and a date for every open itemPrepare reconciliations tied to third-party documents: bank, line of credit and loans, lease liabilities, prepaids, payroll and sales tax liabilities, and fixed assetsPrepare intercompany elimination entries and run the intercompany reconciliation across all entities each monthOwn the multi-state sales tax calendar: prepare returns and payments, maintain rate tables, and review calculations prepared by an outside partnerMaintain the fixed asset register and the insurance and workers' compensation allocation schedulesPrepare the monthly lender borrowing base and covenant package and all audit workpapers ahead of fieldwork, becoming the day-to-day contact for auditors and the bank over timeBack up daily bank posting and reconciliation, and be backed up in turnHow You'll GrowFirst 90 days: Run the holding-entity closes and the balance sheet review under Controller review. Read and confirm the procedures, and get your first routines running.First year: Own the tax calendar, fixed assets, intercompany, the borrowing base and the audit workpapers. Back up every Controller function and take your first delegated sign-offs.Years two and three: Review the close, sign off reconciliations under the CFO, and serve as the primary contact for auditors and the bank on routine matters.Goal, within about four years: Controller, owning the control function for the group.BenefitsMedical, dental, and vision insuranceHealth savings account (HSA)Life insurance401(k)Paid time offOur Team and CultureWe are shifting our effort from performing tasks to guiding the business. The finance team is building a platform that lets Group One grow, run the existing business for performance and profitability, and give customers full transparency into the services we deliver. Every routine task we hand to a documented AI workflow is time we put back into that mission.This works best for a motivated team player who wants to help build something, not just fill a role. We help each other, we write things down, we ask when we're unsure, and we raise bad news the same day. The expectations are high, and your pace is set by what you take on.How to ApplyApply through this posting and include a short note on a process you improved and how you used technology to do it.RequirementsWhat You NeedBachelor's degree in Accounting, or in Finance with solid accounting experienceHands-on experience using AI or automation tools (such as Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Excel macros or Power Query) to make recurring accounting work faster or easier.At least two years of multi-entity monthly close experience, public accounting experience, or bothReconciliation discipline: you can show a workpaper that ties, with support, and explain every reconciling itemWorking knowledge of a cloud general ledger (Intuit Enterprise Suite, QuickBooks Online, NetSuite or similar) and strong Excel skillsWillingness to make AI tools part of your everyday workPreferredCPA or on the CPA trackExperience with Claude or similar AI toolsMulti-state sales tax exposureAirport, facilities or staffing industry experienceWork Environment and Physical RequirementsSetting: Office-based, full time on site in Union, NJPhysical: Extended periods of computer and desk workEqual OpportunityGroup One 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, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.