Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for General Accountant

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly analytical and detail-oriented General Accountant to join our dynamic finance team. In this pivotal role, you will be the backbone of our accounting operations, responsible for maintaining the integrity of our financial records and ensuring the accuracy of our reporting. You will manage the full accounting cycle, from transaction processing to financial statement preparation. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with a strong understanding of GAAP and a passion for process improvement. You will work closely with the Accounting Manager and collaborate with various departments to support the company's financial objectives and long-term success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

As a General Accountant, you are positioned for significant growth within our organization. We are committed to professional development and offer a clear trajectory for advancement based on performance, expertise, and leadership potential.

Entry Point From:

Junior Accountant / Staff Accountant
Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist
Accounting Clerk

Advancement To:

Senior Accountant
Accounting Manager
Financial Controller

Lateral Moves:

Financial Analyst
Internal Auditor
Treasury Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage and execute the full-cycle month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
Prepare and meticulously record asset, liability, revenue, and expense journal entries by compiling, analyzing, and substantiating account information.
Conduct detailed reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts, including bank accounts, accounts receivable, fixed assets, and prepaid expenses, investigating and resolving any discrepancies.
Maintain and balance subsidiary ledgers by verifying, allocating, posting, and reconciling transactions and resolving variances.
Ensure the absolute integrity of accounting information by recording, verifying, consolidating, and entering transactions in the general ledger system.
Assist in the preparation of comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in strict accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Perform in-depth analysis of financial statements and general ledger accounts, identifying trends, variances, and issues that require management's attention.
Oversee aspects of accounts payable and accounts receivable, including complex invoice processing, payment runs, credit management, and collections activities.
Support payroll processing and ensure all payroll transactions, taxes, and benefits are accurately recorded in the general ledger.
Prepare and file various local, state, and federal tax forms, including sales and use tax, property tax, and supporting schedules for corporate income tax returns.
Maintain the company's fixed asset register, including tracking asset additions and disposals, and calculating and recording monthly depreciation and amortization.
Actively participate in the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes by providing historical data, trend analysis, and insights into financial performance.
Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors during annual audits, preparing schedules, providing necessary documentation, and articulating financial processes.
Develop, document, and enforce business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls and ensure operational efficiency.
Review and process employee expense reports, ensuring compliance with company travel and expense policies before reimbursement.
Perform daily and monthly bank reconciliations for multiple corporate bank accounts to ensure all cash transactions are properly accounted for.
Investigate and resolve complex accounting discrepancies and irregularities in a timely and efficient manner, communicating outcomes to management.
Prepare ad-hoc reports and detailed presentations on financial performance, key metrics, and variance analysis for senior leadership.
Ensure strict compliance with all financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to mitigate risk and protect company assets.
Participate in the implementation, optimization, and maintenance of accounting systems and ERP software to enhance functionality and streamline workflows.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc financial analysis and special projects as requested by the Controller or CFO to support strategic decision-making.
Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance accounting processes and systems for increased efficiency and accuracy.
Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Sales, and HR, to ensure accurate financial reporting and operational alignment.
Assist in the ongoing development and documentation of internal control policies and procedures to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

ERP & Accounting Software Proficiency: Extensive experience with major accounting platforms such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or advanced proficiency in QuickBooks.
Advanced Microsoft Excel: Mastery of Excel functions is essential, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, SUMIF, and complex formula creation for data analysis.
GAAP Expertise: Deep and current knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and their application in a corporate environment.
Full-Cycle Accounting: Proven ability to manage all aspects of the general ledger and the complete month-end/year-end close process.
Financial Statement Preparation: Demonstrable experience in preparing and analyzing financial statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Statement of Cash Flows).
Account Reconciliation: Expertise in performing complex, multi-faceted account reconciliations and resolving discrepancies.
Tax Compliance: Familiarity with federal and state tax regulations and experience preparing various tax filings (e.g., sales, property, 1099s).

Soft Skills

Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous and precise approach to managing financial data, with a commitment to accuracy.
Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to dissect complex financial information, identify root causes of issues, and develop practical solutions.
Superior Organizational & Time-Management: Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Effective Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex accounting concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
High Integrity & Professional Ethics: Unwavering commitment to confidentiality, ethical conduct, and professional accountability.
Collaborative & Independent Contributor: Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision while also functioning as a productive and supportive team member.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Accounting or Finance.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant) designation, or active candidacy.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Accounting
Finance
Business Administration (with an Accounting concentration)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of progressive, hands-on accounting experience in a corporate or public accounting setting.

Preferred:

A combination of public accounting (Big 4 or regional firm) and private industry experience is highly desirable.
Experience within a similar industry (e.g., Tech, Manufacturing, SaaS, Retail) is a significant plus.