Staff Accountant

Aston Carter•Johnston, IA

9d•$33 - $35•Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Accountant is an experienced individual contributor in Accounting Operations who works with minimal supervision to own key workstreams, projects, and end-to-end accounting processes. The role involves accurate execution of accounting activities, resolving complex issues through analysis and experience, and influencing operational practices to improve results. The Staff Accountant partners with internal and external stakeholders, contributes to department outcomes, and supports continuous improvement by sharing expertise and best practices. The position is based in Urbandale, Iowa, and is hybrid. Training takes place fully in the office for the first 4 to 8 weeks. As knowledge and proficiency increase, the schedule transitions to a hybrid arrangement: the team works in the office every Tuesday and every other Monday, averaging approximately six in-office days per month. Standard hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. This is a contract-to-hire position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.
At least 5 years of professional experience in accounting or finance.
Experience in accounting operations, finance operations, or a similar transaction-processing environment, with the ability to work independently and deliver results with minimal supervision.
Ability to own and manage end-to-end processes or projects, including planning, setting milestones, monitoring progress, and delivering successfully.
Hands-on general ledger experience, including preparing and reviewing journal entries.
Experience performing cash reconciliations and cash flow analysis.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including handling issues spanning multiple stakeholders or functions.
Effective communication skills and ability to convey information and updates clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
Strong stakeholder-partnering skills and ability to collaborate across teams and maintain positive working relationships.
Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and manage deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and implementing process improvements in accounting or finance operations.
Experience monitoring process improvement effectiveness using measures and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Experience training, coaching, or mentoring peers or junior colleagues in best practices and standard work.
Ability to influence operational practices and contribute to standardization and alignment across functions.
Comfort working in a hybrid environment combining in-office collaboration with independent work.

Responsibilities

Independently manage assigned tasks, priorities, and deliverables with minimal supervision, setting goals and executing plans.
Own accounting projects or processes, including developing plans, setting milestones, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely completion.
Perform general ledger activities, prepare journal entries, conduct cash reconciliations, and analyze cash flow to support accurate and timely financial reporting.
Execute accounting processes accurately and ensure compliance with internal policies and established procedures.
Investigate complex accounting issues by gathering information, analyzing causes and interdependencies, and developing effective solutions.
Conduct financial and operational analysis, including scenario-based evaluations, to assess impacts and determine appropriate actions.
Guide, coach, and train peers and junior colleagues by sharing expertise, best practices, and standard work while remaining an individual contributor.
Communicate updates and resolve inquiries professionally with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, vendors, and other partners.
Recommend and influence operational practices and procedures, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to align processes and standards.
Collaborate across teams and share knowledge and best practices to contribute to department results.
Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of process improvements, using measures and KPIs to evaluate effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
Maintain positive stakeholder relationships and represent the accounting function professionally and with a solutions-oriented approach.