Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
Minimum of 7+ years of progressive accounting experience
Strong working knowledge of US GAAP and internal control principles
Proficiency in accounting/ERP systems (e.g., Unanet, Costpoint)
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
CPA certification or active progress toward CPA is a plus
Top Secret clearance a plus, but not required
Responsibilities
Own the end-to-end A/P process including invoice receipt and timely entry
Prepare and process weekly check runs and vendor payments
Reconcile vendor statements and maintain strong vendor relationships
Monitor A/P aging and ensure payments align with terms
Maintain organized, audit-ready A/P files and supporting documentation
Serve as the internal subject matter expert on A/P workflow system
Identify inefficiencies in A/P and recommend automation solutions
Prepare schedules for external audit requests
Benefits
Opportunities for professional development and training
Supportive work environment fostering innovation
Access to advanced technological tools in finance
Potential for career growth within the organization
Involvement in optimizing financial processes and controls
Full Job Description
Title: Lead Accountant
Location: Alexandria, VA
US Citizenship: Required
Security Clearance: Top Secret preferred
Responsibilities:
Own the end-to-end A/P process, including invoice receipt, coding, three-way matching (PO, receipt, invoice), approval routing, and timely entry into the accounting system
Prepare and process weekly check runs, ACH payments, and wire transfers, verifying approvals and vendor payment details prior to disbursement
Reconcile vendor statements, research and resolve invoice and payment discrepancies, and maintain strong vendor relationships
Monitor A/P aging and cash requirements, ensuring payments align with terms and support cash flow optimization
Maintain organized, audit-ready A/P files, reports, and supporting documentation
Prepare and support annual Form 1099 filings and other vendor tax reporting requirements
Serve as the internal subject matter expert on the A/P workflow system, supporting and training users as needed
Own A/P-related close activities, including accruals, subledger-to-general-ledger reconciliations, and cutoff analysis
Prepare and review journal entries - including accruals, reclassifications, and adjustments supporting the monthly and annual close
Perform reconciliations of assigned balance sheet accounts (cash, prepaids, accruals, clearing accounts, and similar) and ensure reconciling items are researched and resolved timely
Analyze account fluctuations and variances, providing clear, well-supported explanations to the Controller and finance leadership
Support preparation of monthly financial statement packages and supporting schedules
Prepare schedules and documentation in support of external audit requests
Identify inefficiencies within A/P and close processes and recommend and implement solutions that increase automation, accuracy, and speed
Partner with Procurement, FP&A, and IT to streamline procure-to-pay workflows and improve utilization of financial systems
Develop and maintain desk procedures, close checklists, and process documentation as the organization's finance function scales
Evaluate and champion the adoption of technology and automation tools to scale AP and accounting operations
Monitor relevant KPIs and use data trends to drive continuous performance improvement
Ensure AP and close activities comply with company policy, US GAAP, and internal control standards
Identify control gaps and recommend and help design mitigating controls
Maintain appropriate segregation of duties across payment processing and vendor master maintenance
Support internal control testing and audits, providing complete and accurate documentation to auditors
Monitor for potential vendor fraud risk and recommend mitigation practices to relevant stakeholders
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
Minimum of 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including A/P, financial close, and account reconciliation
Strong working knowledge of US GAAP and internal control principles
Proficiency in accounting/ERP systems (e.g., Unanet, Costpoint) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
CPA certification or active progress toward CPA is a plus
