Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Accountant assigned to Tax and CAS engagements will be responsible for coordinating tax compliance, Client Accounting Services (CAS), consulting engagements and related projects with minimal supervision. The Senior Accountant will be responsible for working with assigned clients, including participating in the planning process for engagements; coordinating activities with clients; supervising and developing team members; reviewing work papers and tax returns; and presenting results to clients' management. The Senior Accountant role will also be responsible for training, advising, and directing team members in meeting client and self-development expectations.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
DEMONSTRATES MASTERY OF ALL STAFF ACCOUNTANT COMPETENCIES. TECHNICAL - TAX
- Efficiently and effectively uses tax-related software appropriate to responsibilities.
- Fully researches issues and presents pertinent guidance in support of suggested alternatives.
- Seeks to provide “champion” knowledge of either technology or specialized technical knowledge.
- Consolidate returns, do more complex tax returns without supervision.
- Assists others in resolving problems related to systems or software.
- Researches, develops, and documents complicated taxation issues.
- Proactively takes part in tax planning for clients.
- Demonstrates an understanding of tax needs of client, including review of organizational structure and any/all other entities held by the organization which could be impacted by this work.
- Demonstrates ability to understand assigned tasks, why they are performed and how they fit
- into the big picture at individual engagement levels and HRC-wide.
TECHNICAL – CLIENT ACCOUNTING SERVICES
- Completes client recordkeeping responsibilities including bank reconciliations, recording
- journal entries, and monthly financial statement preparation with minimal supervision.
- Prepares year-end financial statements for tax preparation.
- Completes client payroll processing including preparation of payroll tax returns and annual
- W2s and 1099s with minimal supervision.
- Understands the business entities and environments in which our clients operate.
- Assists in training and supervising staff assigned to CAS engagements.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Understands Houldsworth, Russo & Company, P.C.’s (HRC) service offerings, identifies current client cross-selling opportunities, and communicates these opportunities to supervisor.
- Participates in HRC recruiting events, as requested, to introduce and promote HRC to students and faculty.
CLIENT SERVICE
- Anticipates client inquiries and requests and proactively communications with assigned clients throughout the year to ensure client expectations are met.
- Communicates relevant updates in accounting standards to existing clients, as applicable.
- Promptly addresses client complaints and communicates issues with proposed solutions to management.
- Cultivates role as primary client contact and proactively seeks opportunities to strengthen client relationships.
COMMUNICATION
- Communicates effectively with clients and staff; demonstrating actively listening and then inquiring to understand.
- Converses intelligently with clients and presents self in a professional manner, both in behavior and appearance.
- Proactively communicates pertinent engagement status updates (e.g., delays, difficulties with management, unusual or unexpected audit issues, etc.) to client, partners, managers, and colleagues, as appropriate.
LEADERSHIP
- Takes initiative to develop self and Staff Accountants.
- Delegates effectively to Staff Accountants and takes responsibility for the completion of work performed by Staff Accountants, to include review of Staff Accountant-prepared workpapers.
- Able to adapt to frequent changes, delays and/or unexpected events, and to assist Staff Accountants with re-prioritizing workload, as applicable.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE (EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, PRODUCTIVE)
- Identifies engagement issues that cause inefficiencies or risks to engagement quality, and effectively works with firm management to effect positive change.
- Demonstrates consistent ability to brings engagements to conclusion effectively and in a timely manner.
- Shares time-saving efficiencies with colleagues to help improve their efficiency while maintaining quality.
- Seeks opportunities to assist management in research and implementation of new processes.
- Demonstrates and understands the concepts of engagement/project profitability and budget monitoring to ensure that jobs are concluded timely and profitably.
- Demonstrates completed knowledge of HRC’s philosophy, reports, policies, quality controls and opinions on financial matters.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Takes the initiative to increase knowledge and skills through self-study and personal development and consults with, and obtains approval from, management to determine appropriate pursuits that will benefit both the Senior Accountant and HRC.
- Takes the initiative to increase knowledge of key client industries.
OTHER
- Manage confidential information.
- Regular and consistent attendance.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
ABILITIES
Requires the ability to gather and analyze complex data; to devise solutions to problems; ability to prepare
clear and concise executive level reports; ability to follow instructions, ability to pay attention to details
and to perform with a high level of accuracy, completeness, and legal compliance. Requires the ability to
implement, interpret rules, regulations and administrative procedures, ability to compose clear and
concise written and verbal correspondence, communicate effectively on a professional level with the
business community, agency personnel, and the public both orally and in writing. Ability to perform
multiple tasks and to meet simultaneous deadlines, plan and organize work and direct a high performance
team, to exercise sound judgment and discretion, ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination
and perception needed for: making observations, communicating with others, and reading, writing and
operating assigned equipment.
Requires repetitive movement, sitting, writing letters and memos, face-to-face discussions with
individuals or teams, use of electronic mail, telephone conversations, contact with others (face-to-face,
by telephone, or otherwise). Requires the opportunity to make decisions without supervision; freedom to
determine tasks, priorities, and goals, repeating the same physical activities or mental activities
repeatedly, requires being exact or highly accurate, requires meeting strict deadlines. Requires work with
external providers, customers or the public, work with others in a group or team, coordinating or leading
others in accomplishing work activities.
Requires the ability to communicate effectively in English language to provide clear instructions, ability
to write and speak intelligently and professionally; comprehend questions and conversations and respond
appropriately, translate accounting terms into concepts that can be understood by clients (regardless of
technical sophistication) and non-technical staff.
Requires the ability to demonstrate logical thinking and problem-solving in all aspects of assurance work;
requires the ability to exhibit an understanding of professional skepticism; ability to provide neat,
complete, and organized workpapers using HRC’s technology.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle to access client locations and maintain valid driver’s license and
insurance coverage at amounts in accordance with HRC guidelines.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Job tasks may be performed in close physical proximity to other people. Work is typically performed in an
office environment while sitting at a computer screen for extended periods. While performing the duties
of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts when working with office
machines. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
and reach with hands and arms when working with documents, files, computers, or office machines. This
position requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions, exposure to sounds and noise
levels that may be distracting or uncomfortable. The employee is required to lift up to 15 pounds.
Requires travel to multiple sites and locations.
Required to lift binders, files, office supplies or bend and reach for stored records or files; occasionally may
work in warehouse environment, retail or food bank locations while visiting client sites. Environments may
contain chemicals, high levels of dust, pollutants, compromised ventilation systems and extreme
fluctuation in temperature.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience, Education, Skills and Knowledge
- Minimum 3+ years relevant experience
- Holds a bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree in accounting (or similar) and is (preferred) a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
- Computer literacy to include a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and ability to learn software used by HRC.
- Proven interpersonal skills with the ability to adapt, relate, and build relationships with/to diverse personalities in a tactful and mature manner.
- Solid analytical and diagnostic skills and ability to break down complex issues and implement appropriate resolutions.
- Works ethically and with integrity, in accordance with HRC and AICPA Guidelines.
- Understands and complies with relevant CPE requirements, as applicable to specific engagements.
- Demonstrates supervisory skills to include the ability to effectively coordinate a team of people.
- Proven project management skills.
- Creative problem-solving ability.
- Provider of consistent, excellent customer service.
- Ability to identify and execute appropriate delegation opportunities, with a focus and consideration on Staff Accountant development.
- Ability to work flexible schedule.
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
- Ability to learn and apply intermediate-level technical skills.
- Demonstrates the ability to effectively coordinate engagement teams.
- Demonstrates the ability to develop effective, trusting relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Behaves as a role model exuding HRC’s mission, values, and vision.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- Demonstrates the ability to retain and apply intermediate-level technical skills, with a developing mastery of complex areas.
- Demonstrates the ability to successfully train and mentor Staff Accountants.
- Ensures consistent quality and timeliness of work output.
- Ensures successful coordination of engagement team efforts.
- Meets engagement objectives (e.g., timeframes, budgets, outcomes, etc.).
- Ensures client satisfaction.
- Participates in HRC initiatives and serves as a role model for Staff Accountants.
- Participates in recruiting and client retention activities.
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
- Daily use of computer, telephone, wireless internet devices, calculator/adding machine, copier, fax, scanner, and printer.
- Other: Must possess a valid state driver’s license and maintained throughout employment.