Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a GL Accountant

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a numbers-driven professional with a keen eye for detail? We're looking for a dedicated GL Accountant to become a cornerstone of our finance department. In this critical role, you will own key aspects of the general ledger, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of our company's financial data. You will be instrumental in the month-end close process, financial reporting, and maintaining compliance with accounting standards. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on solving complex puzzles and wants to make a tangible impact on the financial health and success of a growing organization.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Staff Accountant
Junior Accountant
Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist

Advancement To:

Senior GL Accountant
Accounting Manager
Financial Controller

Lateral Moves:

Financial Analyst
Internal Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage the full-cycle general ledger accounting process, ensuring all transactions are recorded accurately and in compliance with company policies.
Prepare, review, and post complex journal entries with appropriate and thorough supporting documentation for all balance sheet and income statement accounts.
Perform detailed and timely reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts, including bank accounts, fixed assets, prepaid expenses, and accrued liabilities.
Drive the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, adhering to strict deadlines and delivering accurate financial data.
Analyze financial statements and general ledger accounts for discrepancies, variances, and other issues, escalating findings to management with recommended solutions.
Maintain the fixed asset sub-ledger, including recording asset additions, disposals, transfers, and calculating monthly depreciation and amortization.
Ensure consistent compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and internal financial policies and procedures.
Act as a key point of contact for external and internal audit inquiries, preparing schedules, providing requested documentation, and explaining accounting treatments.
Assist in the preparation of comprehensive financial reporting packages for senior leadership, including income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flow.
Manage and reconcile intercompany transactions, balances, and transfer pricing calculations across multiple business units or legal entities.
Investigate and meticulously resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities, performing root cause analysis to prevent future occurrences.
Handle the accounting for complex areas such as revenue recognition, lease accounting (ASC 842), and stock-based compensation.
Manage payroll-related journal entries and reconcile payroll reports to the general ledger to ensure accuracy.
Prepare and file various tax forms, including sales and use tax, property tax, and support the preparation of federal and state income tax returns.
Collaborate closely with Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams to ensure sub-ledgers are reconciled and transactions are coded correctly.

Secondary Functions

Support the annual budgeting and financial forecasting process by providing historical data, trend analysis, and insights into spending.
Participate actively in special projects, such as ERP system upgrades, accounting software implementations, or M&A due diligence.
Assist management with ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting requests to support strategic decision-making.
Contribute to the development and implementation of new accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to enhance efficiency and mitigate risk.
Provide mentorship and guidance to junior accounting staff, interns, or new team members to foster a collaborative and knowledgeable team environment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced proficiency in large-scale ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365).
Expert-level skills in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, HLOOKUPs, SUMIFs, and complex formula creation.
Deep and practical knowledge of U.S. GAAP and other relevant accounting standards.
Proven experience executing the full month-end and year-end close cycle in a deadline-driven environment.
Strong technical ability in balance sheet reconciliation, account analysis, and variance resolution.
Experience with financial statement preparation and consolidation.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and data integrity.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
A proactive and self-motivated work ethic, with the ability to work independently and as a collaborative member of a team.
High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential financial information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Accounting or Finance
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or active CPA candidate

Relevant Fields of Study:

Accounting
Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience, with a focus on general ledger functions.

Preferred: A combination of public accounting (Big 4 or regional firm) and corporate industry experience is highly desirable. Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment is a plus.