Accounting + Advisory Services Senior Accountant

Smith + Howard; Chattanooga (TN); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith + Howard seeks an accounting professional to join our Accounting + Advisory Services – Controllership Team in Chattanooga in a hybrid role.

You will handle month-end closes, prepare financial statements, and advise on accounting best practices across diverse clients, leveraging multiple platforms. The role emphasizes practical judgment and strong client communication to support accurate reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• CPA license or active pursuit with a defined path is preferred.
• 2–4 years of progressive accounting experience, including in public accounting or outsourced client services.
• Solid understanding of full-cycle accounting and strong working knowledge of GAAP.
• Excellent judgment and communication skills—you know when to dig into details and when to step back for the big picture.
• Comfortable working in different client environments and accounting platforms.
• Hybrid work arrangement from our Chattanooga office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a controllership resource, guiding clients through monthly and year-end closes, complex reconciliations, accrual adjustments, and more.
• Prepare financial statements including Balance Sheets, Income Statements, and Statements of Cash Flows.
• Triage and resolve accounting errors creatively—prioritizing materiality, impact, and client experience.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improved reporting.
• Coach and support client personnel and junior team members in applying accounting principles and using accounting systems effectively.
• Work across accounting platforms, including QBO, Xero, NetSuite, Intacct, Acumatica, and AppFolio—and adapt quickly to new tools and workflows.
• Use CaseWare Working Papers to maintain clear documentation of trial balances, adjusting entries, and balance sheet support.
• Contribute to process improvement internally and with clients, helping streamline operations and improve reporting accuracy.
• Review 1099s, W-2s, 941s, 940s, and other required federal/state payroll forms.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA license or active pursuit

Tools

QBO

Xero

NetSuite

Intacct

Acumatica

AppFolio

CaseWare Working Papers

Job description

Do you want a career without limits? Do you want to shape your own future and be surrounded by people who listen? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you at Smith + Howard.

Smith + Howard is a family of companies that offers tax, audit, accounting and advisory and wealth management services. We are headquartered in Atlanta with offices across the Southeast, while still offering a local firm flavor.

We offer competitive pay, excellent training opportunities and great benefits. You can help influence our culture and have the support and dedication from our leaders to help you achieve your career goals. Smith + Howard provides a great opportunity for professional growth and advancement within one of Atlanta’s top accounting Firms.

If you are ready to make a career move and join a firm consistently named an “AJC Top Work Place” and a “Best of the Best Firms” (Inside Public Accounting),

Summary

Our Accounting + Advisory Services – Controllership Team works across a diverse portfolio of small to mid-market clients spanning industries, geographies, and needs. We provide everything from year-end write-up work and monthly accrual conversions to full outsourced controllership, AP oversight, payroll compliance support, and internal or compiled financial reporting.

This isn’t just accounting—it’s partnering with clients to understand their operations, identify financial issues, and apply practical judgment. Our team relies on full-spectrum accounting knowledge and strong critical thinking to untangle issues, correct errors efficiently, and build meaningful financial reports.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a controllership resource, guiding clients through monthly and year-end closes, complex reconciliations, accrual adjustments, and more.
• Prepare financial statements including Balance Sheets, Income Statements, and Statements of Cash Flows.
• Triage and resolve accounting errors creatively—prioritizing materiality, impact, and client experience.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improved reporting.
• Coach and support client personnel and junior team members in applying accounting principles and using accounting systems effectively.
• Work across accounting platforms, including QBO, Xero, NetSuite, Intacct, Acumatica, and AppFolio—and adapt quickly to new tools and workflows.
• Use CaseWare Working Papers to maintain clear documentation of trial balances, adjusting entries, and balance sheet support.
• Contribute to process improvement internally and with clients, helping streamline operations and improve reporting accuracy.
• Review 1099s, W-2s, 941s, 940s, and other required federal/state payroll forms.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (required)
• CPA license or active pursuit with a defined path (preferred)
• 2–4 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 in public accounting or outsourced client services
• Solid understanding of full-cycle accounting and strong working knowledge of GAAP
• Excellent judgment and communication skills—you know when to dig into details and when to step back for the big picture
• Comfortable working in different client environments and accounting platforms
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to shifting priorities with professionalis
• Comfortable working hybrid out of our Chattanooga office