Senior Accountant
TIMES PUBLISHING COMPANY
Job Title: Senior Accountant Location: Hybrid, St.Pete/Tampa, FL
Position Summary
The Senior Accountant is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the company's financial records through full-cycle general ledger accounting, payroll administration, and financial reporting. This role supports the Financial Controller in managing day-to-day accounting operations, month-end close activities, financial analysis, budgeting support, and audit preparation.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized accounting professional with strong technical expertise in GAAP, payroll compliance, account reconciliations, and financial reporting. Success in this role requires attention to detail, analytical thinking, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and post journal entries, including accruals, deferrals, allocations, payroll entries, and other adjusting entries.
- Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations, including cash, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, accruals, payroll liabilities, and intercompany accounts.
- Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Analyze general ledger activity, investigate variances, and provide recommendations to management.
- Maintain the accuracy and integrity of financial records and accounting data.
- Assist with the preparation of financial statements, management reports, schedules, and supporting documentation.
- Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis activities.
- Assist with internal and external audits, including preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation.
- Process payroll accurately and timely, including wages, overtime, bonuses, deductions, benefits, and payroll taxes.
- Record payroll-related journal entries and reconcile payroll accounts and liabilities.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and reporting requirements.
- Prepare and support payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, W-2, state unemployment filings, and related reporting.
- Respond to employee and manager payroll inquiries and coordinate payroll activities with Human Resources.
- Collaborate with accounting team members and provide support across accounts payable, accounts receivable, and credit functions.
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and documented procedures.
- Participate in special projects, process improvements, and system implementations as assigned. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness within accounting and payroll processes
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience with significant responsibility for general ledger accounting and payroll processing.
- Experience managing full-cycle month-end close activities and account reconciliations.
- Experience working in a mid-sized company or similar business environment.
- Familiarity with multi-state payroll compliance requirements.
- Prior involvement in financial audits and audit support activities.
- Strong understanding of GAAP and payroll accounting principles.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements.
- Experience with accounting and ERP systems such as Sage Intacct, Sage, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms.
- Experience using payroll systems such as ADP, Paychex, UKG, or equivalent solutions.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and data analysis; Power BI experience is a plus.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify discrepancies and recommend solutions.
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial and payroll information with professionalism and discretion.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across departments.