Staff Accountant
American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $75,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Manage financial accounts and prepare general ledger entries.
- Perform account reconciliations and analyze financial data.
- Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
- Analyze financial information and prepare reports for management.
- Participate in audits and identify process improvements.
About the role
Staff Accountant
American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) is seeking a Staff Accountant to provide essential financial information to management. This role involves the diligent completion of working papers and reports during the Month-End/Quarter-End/Year-End close processes across all business units.Responsibilities:
- Maintain and balance accounts by inputting data, scheduling jobs, and verifying outputs.
- Compile and analyze financial information to prepare general ledger entries, including accounts receivable, revenue, and deferred revenue.
- Maintain records, files, and complete assigned work papers.
- Complete reconciliations of cash and operating activities.
- Analyze open balances and allowance for doubtful accounts.
- Ensure expenses are accounted for in the proper period, assign applicable account numbers, and reconcile accounts.
- Answer accounting and financial questions by researching and interpreting data.
- Identify and record fixed asset additions, analyze assets for disposals and impairments, and produce reports.
- Provide management with monthly and quarterly analytics and variance analysis.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and present recommendations.
- Participate in audits, including Sarbanes-Oxley, quarterly reviews, and annual audits.
- Update job knowledge through educational opportunities, professional publications, and organizations.
- Protect organization’s value by keeping information confidential.
- Interact with other teams to achieve daily goals.
- Stay abreast of all policies, procedures, industry changes, best practices, and technology.
- Undertake special projects as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential Skills:
- Knowledge and understanding of GAAP and SOX requirements.
- Strong error detection, problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Strong organization, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
- Demonstrated customer service orientation and collaboration abilities.
- High attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.
- Corporate accounting / General ledger experience.
- Public company experience is preferred.
- Experience with Great Plains and Management Reporter or similar accounting software is preferred.
- Proficient with Windows-based applications, including Microsoft Office with intermediate to expert Excel skills.
About Us:
Online, on campus, and in the workplace, APEI provides higher education and training to military service members, veterans, nurses, government employees, and motivated professionals. APEI educates service-minded students through American Public University System (APUS), Hondros College of Nursing (HCON), and Rasmussen University.APEI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are treated equally regarding recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other terms of employment. APEI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Pay Transparency:
If you are a resident of a state with designated pay transparency requirements and this role is available remotely, you may be eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role, which we will provide upon request. Please send an email to recruiting@apei.com.Key skills/competency:
- Staff Accountant
- General Ledger
- GAAP
- SOX
- Financial Reporting
- Account Reconciliation
- Month-End Close
- Variance Analysis
- Audits
- Microsoft Excel
Skills & topics
- Staff Accountant
- Accounting
- General Ledger
- GAAP
- SOX
- Financial Analysis
- Account Reconciliation
- Month-End Close
- Corporate Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Microsoft Excel
- Great Plains
- APEI
- American Public Education
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight GAAP, SOX, general ledger, and corporate accounting experience. Emphasize Excel skills and public company experience if applicable.
- Craft a strong cover letter: Clearly state your qualifications and enthusiasm for the Staff Accountant role at APEI.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with financial analysis, reconciliations, and month-end close procedures.
- Showcase problem-solving skills: Demonstrate your analytical abilities and attention to detail during behavioral questions.
- Highlight team collaboration: Emphasize your ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Technical preparation
Master GAAP and SOX principles thoroughly.,Practice advanced Excel functions for analysis.,Familiarize yourself with Great Plains software.,Review general ledger and reconciliation techniques.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex accounting problem you solved.,How do you manage multiple deadlines effectively?,Give an example of ensuring accuracy in your work.,How do you collaborate with different teams?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities of a Staff Accountant at American Public Education, Inc.?
- The Staff Accountant at APEI is responsible for maintaining and balancing accounts, compiling and analyzing financial information for general ledger entries, completing reconciliations, analyzing financial data, and preparing reports for management. They also play a role in audits and process improvement initiatives.
- What educational background is required for the Staff Accountant position?
- A Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is required for the Staff Accountant role at American Public Education, Inc.
- What experience is preferred for the Staff Accountant job?
- Experience in corporate accounting/general ledger is required. Public company experience and familiarity with Great Plains and Management Reporter (or similar accounting software) are preferred for the Staff Accountant position.
- What are the most important skills for a Staff Accountant at APEI?
- Key skills include a strong understanding of GAAP and SOX, excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, strong organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, and effective communication skills. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively is also crucial.
- How does American Public Education, Inc. approach diversity and equal opportunity?
- American Public Education, Inc. is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified individuals. They ensure fair treatment in recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other employment terms, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
- What should I do if I am a resident of a state with pay transparency requirements?
- If you reside in a state with pay transparency laws and the role is remote, you can request additional information about compensation and benefits by emailing recruiting@apei.com.
- What is the role of a Staff Accountant in the month-end close process at APEI?
- The Staff Accountant is directly involved in the timely completion of working papers and reports associated with the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes for all business units.
- What kind of software proficiency is expected for this Staff Accountant role?
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