Senior Staff Accountant

Civic Media Inc•Madison, WI

About The Position

Civic Media has built a radio and digital media network across the Midwest with the goal of championing the practice of democracy by empowering honest and informative local voices. We’re merging the legacy of radio with the immediacy of digital to deliver high-quality content to a growing audience via our radio stations, websites, mobile app and associated social media platforms. We work in a fast-paced environment that values communication, integrity, vision, innovation and collaboration in order to fulfill our vision of being the media platform that informs, guides, and inspires our audience through the complex landscape of information, commentary, and civic engagement. The Senior Staff Accountant will have an impact on meaningful business decisions within Civic Media by overseeing general accounting operations, while also controlling and verifying our financial transactions. Responsibilities include reconciling account balances and bank statements, maintaining general ledger, and preparing month-end close procedures. A successful Senior Accountant combines excellent analytical skills with a thorough knowledge of accounting principles to analyze financial reports and forecasts. Senior Accountant duties also include ensuring accuracy and effectiveness in all of our accounting tasks.

Requirements

Ability to excel in a fast‑paced, start-up environment with minimal supervision
Results‑driven mindset with a sense of urgency and commitment to resolving issues
Ability to take ownership of projects from planning through execution
Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly
Ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization, including Leadership, HR, and other key departments.
Excellent attention to detail, organizational abilities, and communication skills.
In-depth understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Experience with general ledger functions and the month-end/year-end close process
Advanced MS Excel skills including Vlookups and pivot tables
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
2-3 years of progressive accounting experience
Strong technical accounting knowledge

Nice To Haves

Relevant certification (e.g. CMA or CPA) will be preferred
Hands-on experience with accounting software packages, like QuickBooks

Responsibilities

Full P&L responsibility for the lines of business they support, including recording and reviewing standard and non-standard accounting transactions, explaining variances to forecast and budget, able to identify opportunities for improvement, and work with management to identify business risks and opportunities.
Preparing profit statements for internal and third-party talent in a timely fashion.
Owner of complex balance sheets reconciliations, including preparing executive summaries, reviewing balance sheet reconciliations, and proactively working open items to resolution to ensure the balance sheet is correct.
Work in close collaboration with Leadership to transform financial data into actionable information and insights.
Calculate, balance, and distribute monthly commissions for eligible employees
Identify and communicate issues to supervisors as well as proposing and providing solutions.
Provide internal and external audit support, compiling documentation, coordinating efforts with both financial and non-financial resources, and ensuring audit documentation is complete and demonstrates an adequate audit trail.
Verify, allocate, post, and reconcile accounts payable and receivable
Produce error-free accounting reports and present their results
Review and recommend modifications to accounting systems and procedures
Participate in financial standards setting and in forecast process
Provide input into department’s goal setting process
Support month-end and year-end close process
Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls
Ensure compliance with GAAP principles