Accounting/Contracting Specialist

Applied Optimization (AO) Job Description Job Title: Contracts/Accounting Specialist Reports to: President FLSA Status: Full-Time (Exempt) Department: G&A Position Objective: Manage contracts administration for all phases of contract lifecycle, from pre-proposal to contract closeout. Prior experience with government contracting is preferred. Manage all accounting functions with attention to detail, due diligence, and accuracy for the company including budgeting, forecasting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, inventory, general ledger, payroll and tax records, cost proposals, government property, special projects, and contract profitability for a service-based company. Essential Functions: Prepare list of requirements from the solicitation for proposal preparation Verify compliance of proposal with the list of requirements Assist with the preparation of well-documented cost proposals in accordance with customer and company requirements Prepare commercialization reports Submit proposals, including all supporting documents and justifications Perform contracting strategically to reduce contract risk Conduct financial profitability analysis on contracts & supplier proposals to identify risk/unfavorable business or legal terms Review billing to ensure contract provisions are met and track reporting deadlines that influence billing Develop, review, and award contracts, subcontract, confidentiality, and non-disclosure agreements Prepare contract billing/cost information to management Manage & control expenditures for subcontractors Assist with the maintenance of government and customer property logs Provide support to: Perform fundamental accounting duties such as: General Ledger posting, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Fixed Assets Perform month end billing for services Prepare monthly financial statements: Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow statement and other analytical reports as required Prepare, support and coordinate financial statement compilation, year-end audit schedules, and tax preparation with the company’s external CPA Supervise part-time accounting personnel Assist with the creation and maintenance of company and project budgets Propose and assist with the implementation of process improvements related to accounting, budgeting, cost proposals and government property functions Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions. Maintain cash flow by monitoring bank balances and cash requirements Reconcile accounts to the general ledger and with subsidiary systems such as payroll Ensure accuracy and follow documentation procedures for all work; maintain notebook of daily activities and provide weekly report of work Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or higher related to the field of finance, accountancy, or legal studies with a superior academic record Attention to detail and effective time and schedule management skills Effective organizing, planning, and problem-solving skills Ability to adapt within a small team to support evolving customer requirements Ability to execute instructions and communication in written, oral, and diagram form Demonstrated strong writing, fact-gathering, and analytical skills High level of integrity and confidentiality Basic computer and software skills including but not necessarily limited to Microsoft Office products (e.g., Outlook, Word, and Power Point), payroll software, and QuickBooks; advanced Microsoft Excel skills Preferred Qualifications: 1-3 years of experience in accounting or a closely related field College cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.5 or higher Experience with government contracting, cost proposal processes, government property requirements, understanding of fundamental accounting functions, and payroll practices Knowledge of SFAS Rules, namely for statements of accounting financial standards, reporting research results, confidentiality, and data management Employment Structure In-office attendance is required; remote work is not available at this time. Citizenship/Security Clearance Requirements: U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder About Us: Applied Optimization is a growing organization located in Fairborn, OH. We are an equal opportunity employer offering a competitive salary that is commensurate with qualifications and a comprehensive benefits package. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Find out more about us at www.appliedo.com.