Staff Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

About EMA

EMA is an employee-focused engineering firm specializing in electromagnetic simulation, testing, and consulting for the aerospace and defense industries. We're a tight-knit team of about 80 people solving genuinely hard technical problems for demanding customers. Our accounting function is small, fast-moving, and central to how the business runs — which means the person in this role has real visibility and real impact from day one.

The Role

We're looking for an accountant who wants to own their work, not just check boxes. You'll handle the recurring, detail-heavy accounting tasks that keep the company running smoothly, and you'll be the right hand to our VPs of Finance and Accounting on higher-level projects. The ideal person is a self-starter who, once ramped up, can be handed a process and trusted to run it — flagging what needs attention and quietly handling the rest.

This isn't a role where you wait to be told what to do. We want someone who spots the thing that's off before anyone asks, suggests the better way to do it, and follows through without being chased.

What You'll Do

Day-to-day accounting

- Process accounts payable and accounts receivable, including invoicing, collections follow-up, and vendor payments

- Perform monthly bank, credit card, and general ledger account reconciliations

- Prepare and post journal entries and maintain supporting schedules

- Support month-end and year-end close

- Track fixed assets, prepaids, and accruals

- Process employee expense reports and mileage reimbursements against company policy

Payroll and timekeeping support

- Assist with payroll processing and related reconciliations

- Help review timesheets for accuracy and proper job/cost coding

- Support 401(k) and benefits-related reconciliations

Support to the VPs of Finance and Accounting

- Assist with financial reporting, budgeting, and variance analysis

- Pull data and build schedules for management, audits, and reviews

- Support job costing, contract billing, and cost tracking on government and commercial projects

- Help prepare for external audits and respond to requests

- Take on ad hoc analysis and special projects — and own them through to completion

Process and improvement

- Identify and clean up recurring errors and inefficiencies

- Document and improve accounting procedures as you learn them

- Keep records organized and audit-ready

What We're Looking For

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

- 2+ years of accounting experience (staff accountant, bookkeeping, or similar); full-cycle experience a strong plus

- Genuine ownership mentality — comfortable running tasks independently after onboarding and knowing when to escalate

- Strong attention to detail and a habit of catching mistakes before they become problems

- Proficiency in QuickBooks and Excel; experience with ADP or similar payroll systems a plus

- Clear, professional communicator who can work directly with senior leadership

- Ability to juggle recurring deadlines and one-off projects without dropping either

Nice to Have

- Experience in a government contracting, aerospace, defense, or engineering environment

- Familiarity with job costing, indirect rates, or contract-based billing

- Exposure to DCAA-compliant accounting practices

- CPA, CPA candidate, or progress toward certification

Why EMA

- Direct mentorship from and exposure to senior finance and accounting leadership

- Real ownership and room to grow well beyond the job description

- A small, collaborative team where your work is visible and valued

- Competitive compensation and benefits

EMA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

All employees of EMA must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State in order to conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Learn more about the ITAR here:

EMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer; EMA determines employment on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- Dental insurance

- Flexible schedule

- Health insurance

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Vision insurance

Education:

- Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Commute:

- Lakewood, CO 80228 (Required)

Work Location: In person