Accountant Staff I

Summary:

This position provides day-to-day accounting support to the functional area.  Provides accurate, timely and relevant financial information to internal and external clients and customers in order to achieve the functional area’s objectives. Responsibilities include: general accounting, inter/intra company activity, account reconciliation, close and month-end processing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reporting and variance analysis.  Requires familiarity of commonly used accounting concepts, practices, policies and procedures such as GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley. Typically reports to a Senior Accountant or Accounting Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze and prepare standard entries and non-standard journal entries
• Gather high transaction volume data from multiple sources including internal departments and vendors to meet strict month end close deadlines
• Analyze P&L accounts to proactively note and potentially resolve large variances from month to month
• Use accounting judgment with situational data in order to properly represent general ledger accounting coding in journal preparation and supporting schedules
• Assist Aaron’s associates and managers to resolve issues and research inquiries from managers and executives
• Identify and correct potential items requiring reclassification and determine if process changes are needed to avoid future issues.
• Review general ledger and maintain subsidiary ledger accounts, if appropriate
• Research and resolve questions related to general ledger items
• Assess and understand the relationships between the balance sheet and P&L
• Reconcile the general ledger to the subsidiary ledger or other supporting detail according to scheduled deadlines
• Prepare and validate both standard entries and manual journal entries on a timely basis
• Prepare quarterly and annual schedules for other departments and internal and external audit
• Have a thorough working knowledge of company’s accounting policies and procedures, as well as, other departmental policies and procedures
• Continuously evaluate processes for efficiencies and highlight possible improvements

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance required
• <1 year experience with bachelor’s degree
• Knowledge of GAAP, month end close process, and balance sheet reconciliation procedures
• Working knowledge of Word/Outlook/Access and basic Excel skills
• Preferred working knowledge of Lawson Financial Suite or other ERP

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Deadline driven with strong research, analysis, organizational, and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team