Description

This Staff Accounting Analyst will serve as a key link between the corporate accounting/finance team and larger finance functions at the business and group level. We are looking for someone who sees an opportunity in every challenge, can function well in a fast-changing environment and will drive efficiencies in the way we operate. Candidates will have a sharp analytical mind, strong modelling skills, multiple years of experience in financial planning and analysis, and a solid understanding of accounting principles are necessary.

ARA’s Corporate office is focused on providing efficient, effective, and compliant business systems and financial records to our internal and external customers, maintaining a culture that minimizes bureaucracy and promotes both personal and professional growth, while maintaining a work-life balance.

Interested in becoming an employee-owner and joining our team?

What you’ll do as a Staff Accounting Analyst

• Support Adaptive Planning (Workday) application deployment and provide analysis and monitor business performance by unit, division, and sector. Provide training and support to users of the tool.

• Track and report on key performance indicators; analyzing and interpreting financial and operational performance and track key operational objectives and strategic initiatives to improve the efficiency and profitability of the business units.

• Prepare balance sheet and other reconciliations, maintain lease accounting records.

• Prepare month-end journal entries.

• Support Assistant Controller with special projects and companywide initiatives.

• Review and analyze monthly corporate and business unit financial statements, quarterly and annual financial data

• Prepare financial reporting and analysis for the month-end close, analyze actuals vs. projections

• Provide audit support and backup for audit requests.

• Provide backup to others in the accounting department as needed.

Staff Accountant Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics with 2-4 years of experience, or a Master’s with 1-2 years of experience.

• Ability to extract meaning and suggest action items from data, to proactively address any variances from expected projections.

• Ability to quickly evaluate incoming work and manage priorities in time critical situations.

• Experience working in a collaborative environment; ability to work well under tight deadlines and effectively interact with a wide range of personnel.

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written language communication skills.

• Intermediate to Advanced Excel modeling skills, including the ability to manipulate large quantities of data, as well as proficiency with PowerPoint.

Staff Accountant Preferences

• CPA or CMA designation

• Knowledge and/or experience with CostPoint, Cognos, Power BI, Adaptive Planning and/or similar Finance, Planning and Analysis (FP&A) tools.

• Audit background or experienced lead in supporting audits

• Previous government contract experience and a solid working knowledge of GAAP, FAR and CAS including previous experience completing an incurred cost submission

• FASB ASC 606 revenue recognition practical experience and knowledge

• FASB ASC 842 lease standard accounting knowledge

• Ability to source and work with large amounts of data from different sources, and demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills

Applied Research Associates, Inc. Company Information:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We invite you to visit our website (https://www.ara.com/) to learn more about who we are (https://www.ara.com/who-we-are/) , what we do (https://www.ara.com/what-we-do/) , the excellent careers (https://www.ara.com/careers/) and benefits (https://www.ara.com/benefits/) we offer and explore some of our featured offices (https://www.ara.com/featured-offices/) .

Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelor of Arts or better in Accounting

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

• CPA

Experience

Required

• 1-2 year: Related experience with a master’s degree

• 2-4 years: Related experience with a bachelor’s degree

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)