Accounting Specialist - Construction

Cogent Talent Solutions; Oxford (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cogent Analytics is seeking a highly driven Staff Accountant with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and 5+ years of hands-on experience. This role centers on building and managing an inventory tracking system as the company scales, while handling full-cycle accounting with independence.

You will oversee GL, AP/AR, job costing, and monthly close, leveraging QuickBooks, ADP, and Excel for accurate reporting and payroll support as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience; construction/manufacturing background preferred.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks, ADP, and advanced Excel for bookkeeping and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Sole accounting ownership: manage full-cycle accounting independently.
• Document control for all financial files, vendor records, tax docs, and receipts for audit readiness.
• Lead inventory system implementation, setup, and rollout; establish best practices for counts and valuation.
• Oversee GL maintenance, AP/AR, job costing, and month-end close procedures.
• Utilize QuickBooks, ADP, and Excel; assist with payroll tasks and reporting as needed.
• Analyze financial/job data; identify variances and present actionable solutions.

Skills

Data entry

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

QuickBooks

ADP

Excel

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly driven, self-starting Staff Accountant with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and 5+ years of hands-on experience. This is not a typical back-office accounting role. A critical priority will be building our inventory processes from the ground up. We need someone eager to evaluate, implement, and manage a robust inventory tracking system as we scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Sole Accounting Ownership: Manage all full-cycle accounting functions independently, handling both high-level financial tasks and daily hands-on data entry.
• Document Control & Compliance: Oversee complete document control for all financial files, job files, vendor records, tax documentation, and receipts to maintain immaculate records and audit readiness.
• Inventory Implementation & Oversight: Lead the selection, setup, and rollout of a modern inventory tracking system; establish best practices for physical inventory counts, raw material tracking, and valuation.
• General Ledger & Financial Operations: Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger maintenance, accounts payable/receivable, job costing, and month-end closing procedures.
• Systems Utilization & Payroll Support: Leverage QuickBooks, ADP, and Excel to drive efficient bookkeeping and reporting; assist with payroll-related tasks, reporting, and data entry as needed.
• Financial Integrity & Analysis: Analyze financial and job data, face facts directly identifying variances and presenting actionable solutions without sugarcoating realities.
• Cross-Functional Team Support: Fill gaps across department operations by proactively supporting team members in areas where financial, inventory, or administrative assistance is needed.
• Organizational Advocacy: Defend organizational interests and team integrity through accurate reporting, compliance enforcement, and sound financial stewardship.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting (Required).
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive accounting experience; background in construction or manufacturing is strongly preferred. Comfortable working as a sole accountant handling both strategy and daily data entry.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in QuickBooks, ADP, and advanced Excel for streamlined bookkeeping and reporting.
• Core Competencies: Exceptional attention to detail in data entry, document control, time management, and problem-solving.
• Inventory Expertise: Demonstrated experience or strong eagerness to implement and manage an inventory system from scratch.
• Mindset: Self-starter with high accountability, strong analytical skills, and a direct, reality-based approach to financial reporting.
• Team-First Approach: Willingness to jump in, support peers, and protect the team's shared goals and reputation.
• Adaptability: Thrives under pressure, handles shifting priorities, and excels in a high-energy, dynamic atmosphere.

$85,000 - $100,000 a year