Accountant

Reports to: VP of Finance. Location: Arlington, VA. Schedule: Full time, in office, Monday–Friday.

About the role

The Accountant supports accurate and timely accounting operations for the Meat Institute and its related entities. This hands-on position manages key accounts payable, cash receipt activities, prepares reconciliations, and supports monthly financial close. The Accountant helps maintain strong internal controls, reliable financial records while providing responsive service to internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the processing of vendor purchase order requests, invoices, and employee expense reports in NetSuite; verify supporting documentation, account and department coding, approvals, and compliance with established policies.
• Process weekly payment cycles for multiple entities, including check runs, ACH and wire payments, positive pay files, payment reports, and timely disbursements.
• Set up and maintain vendor records, obtain required documentation such as Forms W-9, and resolve vendor inquiries and payment discrepancies.
• Review and reconcile corporate credit card transactions, including proper documentation, allocation, and approvals; maintain related records in NetSuite and supporting schedules.
• Investigate issues with employee expense reports and purchase order requests and help staff understand applicable accounting procedures.
• Process and record incoming checks, ACH receipts, wire transfers, lockbox payments, and physical check deposits for multiple entities.
• Apply receipts to the appropriate member accounts and invoices, investigate unidentified or misapplied payments, and follow up as needed to resolve discrepancies.
• Support membership dues billing and collections, monitor accounts receivable, issue periodic past-due notices, and document collection activity and member correspondence.
• Respond to member and other payer inquiries about receipts, account balances, and payment status.
• Prepare monthly bank and merchant account reconciliations, including those for Meat Institute and Meat Foundation accounts.
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet account reconciliations, accounting schedules, and supporting documentation; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Review general ledger activity, prepare adjusting journal entries.
• Ensure expenses and receipts are allocated to appropriate accounts, departments, and entities.
• Coordinate with the Senior Accountant and other finance staff to ensure reconciliations are accurate, complete, and timely.
• Support month-end close activities, including accounts payable accruals, expense cutoffs, intercompany transactions, allocations, and account reconciliations.
• Assist with year-end reporting and tax-related tasks, including preparation of Forms 1099 and 1096.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, transaction support, and responses to information requests for annual financial and other applicable audits.
• Maintain complete, organized, secure electronic and paper accounting records in accordance with organizational policies.
• Follow established accounting policies, internal controls, approval requirements, and segregation-of-duties procedures.
• Partner with membership, sponsors, vendors, and internal departments to resolve billing, payment, and collection questions.
• Coordinate with internal and external systems support teams to resolve NetSuite reporting or workflow issues and support appropriate report customization.
• Perform other related accounting duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Approximately 5 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including hands-on general ledger and reconciliation work.
• Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, month-end close, and multi-entity accounting.
• Proficiency with accounting systems (NetSuite preferred), Excel; experience with AMS Re:Members is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical judgment, organization, discretion, and professional communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines and work collaboratively in a fully on-site environment.