Senior Accountant – General Ledger & Financial Reporting

ARA Career•Albuquerque, NM

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

ARA's Corporate Accounting Department is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant with strong technical accounting expertise, sound professional judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset. The role serves as a key resource for revenue recognition under ASC 606, strengthens general ledger accounting processes, and supports modernization of financial statement and management reporting through greater use of ERP and financial planning systems, including Deltek Costpoint and Workday Adaptive Planning. The Senior Accountant supports accurate, timely financial reporting, strong internal controls, and service to a growing organization. The position performs revenue recognition and general ledger work, supports monthly and annual close activities, researches U.S. GAAP matters, contributes to audit and compliance activities, and helps improve reporting systems and accounting processes. The role is primarily office-based in a hybrid arrangement, with an emphasis on in-person collaboration. Candidates must be local to Albuquerque, New Mexico, or Raleigh, North Carolina. Applied Research Associates (ARA) is a 100% employee-owned technology solutions company with more than 2,300 employee-owners across the United States and Canada. The Corporate Accounting team values teamwork, accountability, professional development, and a balanced, enjoyable work environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and demonstrated experience applying accounting principles to business transactions.
Demonstrated experience applying revenue recognition principles, including ASC 606, and the ability to research, document, and communicate accounting conclusions.
Experience performing month-end close activities, preparing general ledger reconciliations, and supporting financial statement preparation.
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including investigating discrepancies and developing supported accounting conclusions.
Experience working with financial information from enterprise accounting or ERP systems.
Advanced Excel proficiency, including analyzing large data sets, reconciling information, and developing financial schedules.
Ability to independently manage complex accounting assignments, exercise sound professional judgment, proactively resolve issues, and deliver accurate results within established deadlines.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain accounting issues and recommendations effectively.
Commitment to professional integrity, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CMA certification, or demonstrated progress toward certification.
Experience researching and applying complex technical accounting standards, including ASC 842.
Experience in government contracting or project-based accounting environments, including exposure to FAR, CAS, or DCAA requirements.
Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Workday Adaptive Planning, Oracle, or comparable enterprise systems.
Experience preparing financial statements and management reports using ERP-generated data.
Experience supporting external financial statement audits, internal audits, or government compliance reviews.
Demonstrated experience improving accounting processes through system enhancements, reporting technologies, or automation.

Responsibilities

Perform and support ASC 606 revenue recognition activities, including contract evaluation, revenue reconciliations, and period-end reporting.
Analyze complex contract arrangements, including multi-element and fixed-price contracts, and document accounting conclusions.
Support revenue reporting, variance analysis, contract closeout activities, and revenue adjustments.
Evaluate revenue recognition practices and contribute to consistent, documented accounting procedures.
Provide accounting support and technical analysis for unusual or nonroutine transactions.
Improve financial statement preparation and management reporting through increased use of ERP systems and reporting technologies.
Develop, maintain, and validate financial reports, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
Collaborate with accounting, finance, and systems personnel to improve data accuracy, reporting consistency, and process efficiency.
Participate in system enhancements, testing, and implementation activities affecting accounting and reporting.
Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes through standardization, improved system functionality, and automation.
Support system upgrade testing, enhancements, and business system evaluation or migration activities.
Partner with IT and functional subject-matter experts to improve workflows, resolve system issues, and drive process automation.
Perform and support monthly and annual financial close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement preparation.
Analyze general ledger activity and financial results, investigate unusual transactions or variances, and recommend appropriate accounting treatment.
Prepare and review supporting schedules, reconciliations, and financial reporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
Research technical accounting matters under U.S. GAAP, document conclusions, and support implementation of accounting policies and standards.
Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies in collaboration with corporate accounting, operational finance, and other stakeholders.
Take ownership of assigned responsibilities, proactively identify issues, and drive them toward timely resolution.
Manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting critical deadlines.
Communicate accounting findings and recommendations clearly to financial and nonfinancial stakeholders.
Collaborate with team members and business partners to strengthen accounting processes and knowledge sharing.
Maintain accurate accounting records, supporting documentation, and effective internal controls.
Prepare audit schedules and respond to financial statement, internal, and government audit inquiries.
Research accounting questions, reconcile discrepancies, and provide timely, well-documented responses.
Support compliance with applicable accounting standards, company policies, and government contracting requirements.
Identify potential accounting or control risks and recommend practical improvements.