Senior Accountant

Location: Cary, NC (onsite presence required)

Job Accountability/Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

•  Provides assistance to the Controller in the day-to-day supervision of Accounting Operations (such as commissions, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash applications, sales tax filings etc.).
• Reviews staff journal entries, reconciliations, reports or other such workpapers as assigned by Controller.
• Prepares journal entries, account reconciliations, reporting and analysis for advanced accounting matters such as software capitalization, finance leases, commissions calculation, and software as a service (SaaS) revenue recognition.
• Develops ad-hoc or non-routine journal entries, reports, reconciliations, analysis, etc. as requested.
• Performs GAAP research and GAAP application as requested.
• Supports internal and external audit and tax engagements (financial statement audits, 401k audits, tax returns, R&D credit studies, etc.).
• Takes a lead role in various accounting projects including system upgrades, internal control reviews and other projects as assigned.
• Drives efficiency through the optimization of accounting procedures.
• Serves as backup to Controller and mentors less experienced staff.

Key Measures:

• Deadlines met for journal entries, account reconciliations, financials, & audit/tax requests.
• Accuracy of complex entries and analysis.
•  Feedback from colleagues, internal customers, and management.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Serve as backup for functions that are not primary responsibility (NetSuite Administrator, FP&A Analyst, Staff Accountant, etc.).
• Other tasks as assigned.

Key Measures:

• Successful completion of tasks.
•  Feedback from stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Minimum Requirements/Competencies:

• Able to work independently with general direction and limited supervision.
• Able to explain financial results to non-financial employees.
• Able to work and communicate effectively and professionally with all levels in an organization.
• Able to adapt quickly to workplace changes (delays, accelerated deadlines, unexpected events, redistribution of assignments, etc.).
• Able to gather and analyze information skillfully and efficiently.
• Able to initiate, investigate and identify process improvements.
• Able to recognize, resolve and escalate issues, problems or conflicts appropriately.
• Able to give feedback skillfully and receive feedback without defensiveness.
• Able to achieve results in a collaborative, team environment.
• Able to exercise judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action.
• Able to work overtime as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

•  Intermediate to advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and internal controls.
• Advanced Excel skills (proficient with LOOKUPS, pivot tables, complex if/then statements, etc. Macro writing a plus).
• Strong financial modeling skills (e.g., ability to reverse engineer a spreadsheet or model, ability to organize/analyze large volumes of data in Excel, clearly document process, source of data, conclusions, etc.).
• Ability to write “memos to file” to document non-routine entries, transactions, etc.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office productivity software skills (particularly Word & Outlook).
• Strong documentation skills (workpapers, processes, controls, variance explanations, etc.).
• Strong organizational and time management skills with a history of recognizing priorities and consistently meeting deadlines.
• Strong work ethic; takes ownership and demonstrates initiative in solving problems.

Education, Experience, Certification/Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting; Master’s in accounting preferred.
• CPA required.
• Minimum 6 years related experience in accounting or finance; preference given to candidates with more than 6 years and mix of public and corporate accounting experience.
• Experience with NetSuite or similar ERP/General Ledger software (e.g., SAP, MS Dynamics, Oracle Financials, etc.);
• Experience with Avalara Avatax sales tax software is preferred.
• Experience supporting financial statement reporting and analysis.
• Experience supervising the work of others is preferred.
•  Exposure to cost allocations and standard labor rates is preferred.

Values:

• Results: We deliver on our promises to create value for the freight rail industry through talented people, good ideas, business leadership and great technology.
• Collaboration: We collaborate with our teams and our customers to get the job done, respecting individual ideas and contributions, and moving forward in pursuit of shared goals.
• Service: We serve the changing needs of our customers and our industry to enhance the value they bring to our community, the environment, and our economy.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work: Assignment involves sitting at workstation (desk) most of the time (up to 8 hours) with only occasional walking and/or standing.
• Keyboarding: Primarily using fingers for typing.
• Talking: Expressing or communicating verbally through use of spoken words (accurately conveying detailed or important spoken instructions to others).
• Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations in sound.
• Visual: Through close visual acuity, required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading (with or without correction).
• Environment: Because the requirements of this position require frequent, often informal collaboration with other Railinc colleagues and external stakeholders, and to maximize the development of the skills and responsibilities essential for this position, Railinc expects that the work required of this role be performed predominantly in the office consistent with Railinc’s in-the-office work policies, as communicated by Human Resources and/or Senior Management. Any individual variations on in-the-office work policies will be reviewed by Human Resources on a case-by-case basis. As work is performed predominantly within an office setting, there is no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions (i.e., extreme heat, cold, noise, etc.).

Disclaimer:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  The company reserves the right to change, modify and/or delete aspects of this position as needed at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected status.