Accountant

Accountant
No overtime pay

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the recording of daily transactions relating to cash transactions, accounts payable transactions, payroll transactions and premium and claims transactions for the completion of accurate and timely accounting records and for the production of financial and regulatory reports based on those records. Other responsibilities include performing account analysis, preparing account reconciliations, preparing accounting statements and reports and coordination and management of account reporting and filings. Plans, coordinates and resolves accounting matters with other Accounting members, departments, locations and divisions. Accounting policies and procedures are established to ensure that all financial transactions are executed and documented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Findings and recommendations are presented to senior management.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

- Record entries to and perform reconciliation of various complex accounts including bank accounts, those requiring complex analysis or those with high visibility to senior management.
- Prepare various investment schedules and financial reports including balance sheets, income statements, etc. and produce reports for management or outside parties.
- Review financial reports for accuracy.
- Provide analysis of various complex accounts.
- Perform financial analysis, translate data into a management report and make recommendations for the management of financial resources.
- Recommend methods and procedures to improve specific task-related activities and the functioning of the accounting department. Resolve issues with other staff or departments without management involvement.
- Provide support for internal and external audits and Third Party Administrator's (TPA) data, and back-up support for creation of regulatory financials.
- Investigate and resolve issues and complete special projects as needed.
- Review reconciliations, journal entries and reports prepared by Associate Accountant or Accountant.
- Provide guidance/direction to team members as needed for the results of the review.
- Participate in training newly hired Associate Accountants or Accountants.
- Business Impact: Responsibilities impact the achievement of key department and/or functional objectives. Contributes to the achievement of department objectives. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve department objectives would normally affect expenditures and resources.
- Interactions/Communications: Provides professional/technical guidance to team members. Influences other team members and outside parties regarding existing concepts, processes and/or methodology.
- Independence/Discretion: Operates under general supervision.
- Management of Staff: Provides periodic informal work guidance/direction to and training of team members. Provides performance input and recommendations to management for development/training plans. Has no formal supervisory responsibilities

MINIMUM EDUCATION: 4 year degree in related field

MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

- Generally 5 years demonstrated experience performing detailed accounting functions including preparation of supporting schedules, journal entries, financial statements and account reconciliations. Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls andaccounting procedures.
- Excellent spreadsheet (Excel) word processing (Word) skills required, and database (Access) skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge and ability to translate data into input formats that will ultimately generate accurate financial and management reports.
- Aptitude for numbers, strong attention to detail and well-organized.
- Decision-Making: Able to use judgment to determine if TPA and divisions in providing data have made adequate progress requested. Resolve issue with party. Escalate only if needed. Ability to work without structure and prioritize tasks effectively. Represents the accounting department in communications to outside parties.
- Problem-Solving: Able to identify potential problems without supervision and develop and present solutions to staff and management. Ability to handle multiple tasks and solve problems independently without detailed supervision. Flexibility to perform a variety of detailed accounting functions and meet established deadlines. Ability to piece together data from multiple sources and determine if the data is adequate to meet financial reporting requirements for GAAP and for outside agency purposes.
- MUST BE WILLING TO WORK FLEXIBLE HOURS DURING THE CLOSE, MUST BE VERY PROFICIENT WITH EXCEL (VLOOKUPS, PIVOT TABLES), MUST HAVE FAMILIARITY WITH RUNNING AND CREATING QUERIES IN EXCEL, SHOULD HAVE SOME SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE, MUST HAVE GOOD WRITTEN AND VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS, SHOULD HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF INVENTORY ACCOUNTING (INCLUDING JOURNAL ENTRIES)
- Need employees to have basic to intermediate Microsoft Access Skills.