Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant

The Staff Accountant is responsible for supporting the integrity of the general ledger through timely account reconciliations, account analysis, and accurate journal entries. This role partners with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, strengthen internal controls, and support month-end close and financial reporting. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a strong work ethic who takes ownership of deliverables, solves problems proactively, and operates effectively with minimal direction.

This position requires strong analytical skills and a continuous-improvement mindset, including the ability to identify trends, investigate variances, and recommend practical solutions. The successful candidate demonstrates a high level of accountability, attention to detail, and follow-through, and consistently looks for ways to simplify, standardize, and automate routine accounting activities.

Key Accounting Responsibilities

• Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations; research and resolve reconciling items timely
• Analyze general ledger activity and fluctuations; identify root causes, document conclusions, and recommend corrective actions
• Prepare and post journal entries, accruals, and reclassifications with appropriate support
• Support month-end close activities, including preparation of schedules, variance analysis, and timely completion of assigned tasks
• Assist with internal and external reporting by preparing supporting schedules and responding to information requests
• Maintain and improve internal controls and documentation to support compliance with company policies and US GAAP
• Support audits by preparing requested schedules, providing documentation, and addressing audit questions
• Clearly document analyses and conclusions and escalate matters requiring management attention in a timely manner, including proposed, supportable solutions
• Partner with the accounting team and cross-functional stakeholders (including cost accounting) to identify, recommend, and implement process improvements and automation opportunities (e.g., reconciliations, close schedules, reporting, and variance analysis)
• Standardize supporting documentation and assist with training or knowledge transfer, as appropriate

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Demonstrated ownership mindset with strong work ethic, reliability, and ability to work independently with minimal direction.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; 3+ years of progressive accounting experience preferred. CPA (or CPA-eligible) a plus.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and general ledger accounting, including account reconciliations and variance/root-cause analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems and month-end close processes preferred (i.e Oracle, IDE, SAP)
• Ability to translate account activity and data analysis into clear, actionable information for business partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to build effective working relationships and follow up to closure.
• Basic understanding of sales/use tax concepts and ability to coordinate with internal and external resources as needed.
• Self-starter who prioritizes effectively, anticipates needs, and drives tasks to completion with minimal direction; continuously seeks ways to streamline processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies and recommend practical solutions.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis).
• High attention to detail and accuracy; consistently meets deadlines and maintains high-quality work standards.
• Advanced organization skills with attention to detail, prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.

Petmate is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.