Staff Accountant

About the role

The Staff Accountant position at SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (ITC), Performance Review Institute (PRI), and SAE International (SAE) offers a unique opportunity to contribute to shared solutions addressing industry's common challenges. This role is part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization dedicated to creating a higher standard for a better world.

Responsibilities

• Prepare journal entries under the guidance of the Accounting Manager, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP standards.
• Complete assigned balance sheet reconciliations and clear reconciling items within established timelines.
• Execute assigned tasks on the monthly and year-end close checklists, documenting completion status and meeting deadlines consistently.
• Prepare Provided By Client (PBC) support documentation for assigned accounts during audit periods, ensuring all materials are organized, complete, and delivered on schedule.
• Verify that workpapers tie to the general ledger and meet audit-ready standards with proper supporting documentation, clear formatting, and thorough explanations of account activity.
• Respond to basic auditor inquiries regarding assigned accounts by gathering and providing accurate supporting documentation in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain clean, supportable reconciliations with clear audit trails and supporting evidence, proactively resolving minor discrepancies and ensuring records are current.
• Navigate the ERP system to record transactions, pull reports, and maintain account records, leveraging available tools and technology to support accurate and efficient workflows.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Payroll teams to identify and resolve account discrepancies, fostering effective cross-functional communication and teamwork.
• Identify and escalate complex reconciling items or unusual transactions to Senior Accountants, providing preliminary analysis and documentation to support timely resolution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
• 0–2 years of accounting experience.
• Basic proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create formulas, sort data, and generate reports.
• Strong attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to maintain accurate financial records.
• Foundational knowledge of GAAP accounting principles and standards.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and present financial information clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA-eligible or actively pursuing CPA certification is preferred.
• Experience with month-end or year-end close processes is a plus.
• Knowledge of internal controls and audit procedures is beneficial.
• Experience working in a professional services, standards organization, or nonprofit environment is preferred.
• Demonstrated analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and identify discrepancies, is a plus.
• Exposure to AI tools, automation software, or other emerging technologies used in accounting workflows is beneficial.