Accounting Specialist

Job Summary:

The Accounting Specialist reports to the CFO and is responsible for handling a wide range of administrative, accounting and executive support related tasks independently. This role requires a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Daily input of receivables, payables and general ledger transactions in QuickBooks; maintains accuracy of accounting system
• Analyze AP invoice and expense reports; post expenses by account and department
• Process vendor payments; verify federal ID numbers; prepare checks; resolve contract, invoice, or payment discrepancies and documentation; insure that credits are received and accounted for
• Verify vendor and customer accounts by reconciling monthly statements and related transactions
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations for multiple accounts
• Prepare bank deposits
• Maintain petty cash and record transactions
• Process semi-monthly payroll ; process and prepare employee termination checks as needed; generate payroll reports for reporting purposes; prepare and post semi-monthly payroll journal entries
• Verify employee expense reports; record reimbursements through payroll or accounts payable
• Address employee questions/concerns regarding paychecks and billing procedures
• Prepare 401k contributions and remit online
• Verify employee contribution amounts when health/dental/vision invoices are received. Notify Director of HR of any discrepancies
• Produce miscellaneous reports and documents
• Oversee all aspects of general office coordination. Duties including but not limited to, copying, faxing, mailing and filing
• Answer phones and directs all incoming calls to appropriate party promptly and efficiently
• Set up and maintain all accounting related files
• Conserves executive's time by reading, researching, and routing correspondence; drafting letters and documents; collecting and analyzing information; initiating telecommunications
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and follow through on issues in a timely manner
• Maintains client, staff, and company confidentiality
• Annually: Archive files for year and send to storage
• Annually: Set up files for new year
• Other duties as assigned

Other Competencies or Skills:

Quality Control

Ability to be detail oriented with few errors. Should be able to stay focused without being easily distracted. Checks own work for accuracy. Excellent organizational skills are required.

Integrity

Ability to be honest and has internal guiding principals that are not compromised. Treats others with respect. Represents AK philosophy. Represents self and company in a professional manner. Understands and adheres to all company policies and procedures.

Communication

Excellent communication skills including writing skills and demonstrated ability to structure large amounts of information in a written document that is clear and easy to understand. Effective interpersonal communications with staff at all levels. Respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner (within 48 hours when not on LOA or sooner if urgent). Direct all concerns/problems to the CFO. Communication that involves informing or seeking of approval should be submitted to the CFO. Information that is of confidential nature is never to be discussed with others without the approval of the CFO.

Relationships

Ability to build positive business relationships with others through good interpersonal and group communication skills. Maintains a positive attitude.

Adaptability

Ability to be adaptable and flexible, embrace change and see it as an opportunity. Welcomes and applies feedback to improve performance.

Accountability

Every team member is 100% accountable to the team. Accept responsibility for your respective contributions to the failures and errors of the team. Refrain from assuming that he/she knows the intention of another member. Concentrate efforts on solutions and refrain from complaining, finger pointing, and passing on of accountability. Ability to follow directions and to set and achieve goals. Notifies director(s) when there is a lack of progress or significant gains.

Teamwork

Ability to handle team conflict. Ability to work collaboratively with others. Respect the opinions and positions of fellow team members. Allow others to speak freely and respectfully before commenting or responding.

Decision-making

Ability to wade through information, comprehend what’s relevant, make a well-considered decision, and take action based on that decision.

Cognitive Attributes

Intelligence, Basic Problem Solving Skills, Critical Thinking Skills, Creative Thinking Skills, Ability to Learn, Absorptive Capacity.

Strategic Attributes

Ability to Prioritize, Complex Problem Solving Skills, Adaptability.

Social Attributes

Communication Skills, Social Awareness Skills, Social Judgment Skills, Collaboration Skills, Relationship Building Skills, Multicultural Awareness and Sensitivity.

Supervision:

Prior supervisory experience is not required.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of a high school diploma required. 5+ years bookkeeping/accounting experience.

Physical Demands:

Ability to stand, sit, stoop, reach, push, and lift 30 pounds; normal visual, vocal & hearing acuity; use of a computer; ability to travel via automobile.

Background Checks and/or Licensing:

Must be able to pass criminal background check; reference checks; education verification.

Other Requirements:

Must have reliable means of transportation; availability to work a minimum of 32-40 hours per week; strong knowledge of QuickBooks, MS Office, including Word and Excel.