Job Description – Staff Accountant

Job Summary

The Staff Accountant (SA) fills a key role at The Minerva Group by providing accurate accounting services to multiple assigned clients. The SA will be familiar with GAAP and with accounting standards across multiple industries. The SA is also tech savvy and a resourceful problem-solver. The Staff Accountant works under the general supervision of TMG leadership and will work in conjunction with a Senior Accountant; however, the SA successfully manages tasks and priorities independently. Most clients are assigned multiple TMG team members, allowing the SA to work as a part of a team to meet TMG and client objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

The Staff Accountant will provide the following accounting services as determined by client assignments and engagements. While the below list is detailed, it is not exhaustive. Additional, similar duties and responsibilities may be assigned as necessary.

• Be knowledgeable on each assigned client’s accounting processes to provide Bookkeeper support and or directly perform all bookkeeping tasks including accurate and timely entry, processing and coding of all cash, credit card, payable and receivable transactions into the general ledger software.
• Prepare journal entries for depreciation, appreciation, prepaid expenses, etc.
• Understand and support proper job-cost accounting, grant management, and similar as required by assigned accounts.
• Setup sales tax in the general ledger software for new products, services, clients, jurisdictions, etc. in compliance with requirements.
• Create new accounts and define processes as needed for new assets and liabilities.
• Regular review and verification of clearing accounts, liability accounts, asset accounts, inventory, WIP or other specialized accounting processes.
• Assist with audit and tax preparation as requested.
• Perform a preliminary month-end review of basic financial statements to identify and work with Bookkeeper to resolve any questions or problems prior to Senior Accountant review.
• Contribute to client internal accounting controls through policy and procedure enforcement and recommendations when needed.
• Connect and follow up with assigned clients on a regular basis to discuss, address and potentially “advise” the client on the financial position of their company.
• Maintain complete and accurate workpapers and other documentation as needed to support financial information and transactions in clients’ books.
• Identify and make recommendations to Senior Accountant for accounting processes, use of technology or other areas where client efficiency or profitability can be improved for assigned clients.
• Represent TMG to assigned clients in a professional and courteous manner. Respect and nurture the relationship with each assigned client through competent and timely services, prompt and clear communication, quick responses, and sound judgment and advice. Protect and nurture the relationship with each assigned client including clear and timely communication, services and responsiveness.
• Proactively communicate with TMG leadership regarding any recommendations, concerns or problems with TMG operations, processes or procedures; client relationships; scopes of work; team members; or anything else observed where improvement may be recognized.
• Provide (or arrange for) technical support, training and advice for QuickBooks Online or other software as needed for clients.
• Save complete and organized files to the appropriate TMG resource such as Google Drive, Practice Protect, or Financial Cents.
• Always protect the security and confidentiality of client data through proper use of TMG’s security protocols and procedures.
• Timely review and response to internal email and Slack communications. Share information with team members as needed for thorough and successful client services.
• Enter accurate timesheets into time-tracking system daily.
• Utilize TMG’s firm management tool, Financial Cents, to guide and record services performed. Participate in keeping Financial Cents projects, tasks, deadlines, and schedules complete and accurate for each client’s scope and procedures.
• Proactively seek and or actively participate in presented opportunities for continuing education to maintain and grow accounting and technology skills.

Leadership Responsibilities

The Staff Accountant is not specifically responsible for supervising other team members.  However, the SA may play a mentorship role with Bookkeepers on their assigned clients and will then fulfill the following responsibilities.

• Provide client-specific training, support and mentorship as may be needed for successful performance of client services.
• Make recommendations to TMG leadership for employee educational opportunities as identified.
• Provide employee performance feedback to CEO/COO.

Key Accountabilities

• On-time, on schedule completion of all assigned work per Financial Cents and assigned client engagements, to be performed in accordance with GAAP, FASB, industry standard best practices and or Minerva Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Record time and track all work in TMG’s practice management hub (Financial Cents). Each employee is responsible for recording time, marking projects and tasks as complete when the work is performed, assist in maintaining the accuracy and detail of work in the system, and adhering to all company SOPs.
• Provide timely communication with both clients and co-workers. Respond within 24 hours to at least 75% of client requests and within 48 hours for the remainder.  Respond to 100% of internal communications via Slack in 1-2 hours.
• Participate in company-wide events, both virtual and in-person.
• Invest in at least 20 hours of continuing education annually with a focus on accounting and technology subject matter.

Working at The Minerva Group

The Minerva Group is a fully remote accounting and bookkeeping professional services company. Our employees enjoy and are entrusted with autonomy and authority to successfully manage their own time and duties. Though a specific daily schedule is not dictated, full-time employees are expected to record 36-40 client related hours per week. In addition, the Minerva Group places the following expectations and requirements on all employees to support the company’s ultimate success.

• Passionate for upholding TMG’s culture, vision and mission.
• Successfully manage time and priorities to complete all assignments on schedule.
• Be available within 1-2 hours via Slack during normal business hours for your time zone.
• Maintain accurate calendar and Slack status settings during business hours to indicate availability.
• Proactive, open and timely communication is critical. Be sensitive to, and work to overcome, the challenges of communication for a remote workforce.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance.
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the proper application of GAAP in accounting services.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in providing accounting services with comparable duties and responsibilities.
• Experience with preparation and analysis of financial statements.
• Excellent accounting & general office software skills including QuickBooks Online, QBO Payroll, and MSOffice / G-Suite applications. Experience with additional GL systems, payroll systems, bill-pay systems, and other accounting related systems a plus.
• High degree of comfort with technology and learning new systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High degree of integrity to handle confidential information and prioritize security.
• Strong attention to detail and time management.
• Willingness and desire to take the initiative in all areas of work.
• Experience working at a firm with multiple clients is preferred.
• Background in construction with job costing, or non-profit with grant tracking, highly preferred.