Staff Accountant I

Overview

A growing finance team based in Seattle is seeking a detail-oriented Staff Accountant I with a focus on Accounts Receivable. This temporary position (estimated six-month term) involves optimizing financial processes, managing accounts receivable and payable, ensuring banking compliance, and supporting key financial operations. The role requires maintaining compliance with internal controls and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including proper revenue and expense recognition, as well as vendor and customer management.

Responsibilities

• Manage accounts receivable by reconciling payments and customer accounts, recording sales in QuickBooks Online, and applying payments accurately.
• Maintain records of customer cash and check payments; coordinate secure pickup of cash payments via third-party transport services as needed.
• Monitor accounts receivable aging and follow up on past-due balances; prepare customer balance reports for management.
• Communicate discrepancies to management, identify slow-paying customers, and recommend candidates for collection.
• Communicate with clients regarding past-due accounts to resolve outstanding balances, payment issues, or discrepancies.
• Assist in streamlining accounts receivable processes by identifying performance improvements and implementing best practices.
• Ensure financial integrity and confidentiality in reporting, complying with GAAP and applicable financial requirements.
• Process accounts payable for all entities, accurately recording transactions and maintaining assigned email inboxes for payables and receivables.
• Review and process employee expense reimbursements to support timely payroll processing.
• Record and accrue expenses in accordance with GAAP and the matching principle; assist with month-end close processes for accounts payable.
• Verify invoices for appropriate documentation prior to payment and maintain organized records.
• Maintain vendor records including W-9s and banking details; respond to vendor inquiries, resolve discrepancies, reconcile statements, and investigate outstanding items.
• Monitor corporate card activity to ensure transactions are business-related, authorized, and compliant with policies; enforce expense policies and follow up on incomplete submissions.
• Perform daily cash, check, and ACH management duties including recording bank deposits, updating cash receipt logs, and posting payments to the accounts receivable sub-ledger.
• Coordinate with third-party logistics services to ensure timely receipt of incoming payments.
• Monitor and collect open receivables by contacting clients via telephone, email, and mail.
• Apply incoming payments (ACH, wire, check, credit card) accurately and timely; reconcile unapplied cash and ensure proper allocation.
• Ensure all incoming payments comply with banking regulations, company policies, and internal controls.
• Monitor and reconcile daily cash receipts across bank accounts, merchant processors, and payment platforms.
• Assist other accounting and finance team members with revenue accounting and other financial operations as needed.
• Continuously seek opportunities for process improvement and maintain proper documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in accounts receivable, account collections, or related accounting roles.
• Experience with month-end and year-end closings is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with accounting systems such as NetSuite, QuickBooks, or SAP.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
• Experience in financial reconciliation, accounts receivable and payable management, and cash management.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with clients and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to handle confidential information in compliance with regulations and company policies.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in financial record-keeping and reporting.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and accuracy of financial information.
• Client-focused mindset with excellent communication skills to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify trends, discrepancies, and areas for process improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This role does not have supervisory responsibilities but involves close collaboration with senior accountants and other team members.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k).
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Short-term disability coverage.
• Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Note: Not all benefits may be available to all employees at all locations.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Primarily a desk-based role requiring prolonged sitting and computer use.
• Occasional standing, walking, and moving around the office and production areas.
• Ability to lift and carry light objects (up to 20 pounds) occasionally.
• Frequent use of office equipment including computers, phones, and printers.
• Office environment located near a cannabis production space with typical office noise and occasional exposure to odors and noise associated with cannabis production.
• Must be comfortable working in proximity to cannabis-related products and processes.
• Compliance with security and safety policies within a regulated industry is required.