Financial Accountant

Northern Virginia Transportation; Vienna (VA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is hiring a Financial Accountant to support transformative transportation projects. This role combines traditional accounting tasks with analytical responsibilities, oversight of contract compliance, and management of grant activities. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and experience in governmental finance, contributing to impactful community projects.

Benefits

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Membership in Virginia State Retirement System

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tax-Free Commuter Benefits

Support for Professional Certifications

In-building Fitness Center

Free Parking

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in governmental fund accounting.
• Ability to analyze complex problems.
• Strong accounting skills and desire for quantitative analyses.

Responsibilities

• Provide accounting support including financial statement accounting and accounts payable.
• Analyze staff compensation and benefits.
• Manage complex procurements and contract management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Accounting principles

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

Office 365

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Financial Accountant

REPORTS TO: Deputy Chief Financial Officer

SALARY: Starting at $95,000 (Salary dependent on experience)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is seeking a motivated and skilled Financial Accountant to join our team starting July 1st, as we launch the new fiscal year. This opportunity goes beyond traditional accounting. It’s your chance to apply your expertise to transformative transportation projects that are reshaping how people live, work, and connect throughout Northern Virginia.

This position presents an exciting opportunity for seasoned accountants and finance professionals who are passionate about making a meaningful difference in their community. Beyond core accounting responsibilities, you’ll support the procurement of large-scale, multi-year contracts, analyze staff compensation and benefits, manage outsourced IT services, coordinate external grant activities, and conduct in-depth financial analyses.

If you’re ready to advance your accounting career while making a meaningful impact, join a forward-thinking team that embraces innovation, collaboration, and community-driven results, and help deliver solutions that enhance daily life across the region.

Come be a part of something that moves Northern Virginia forward.

ABOUT NVTA:

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is a regional government agency focused on long-term transportation planning and investing in multimodal projects to reduce congestion. Every two years, NVTA updates the regional transportation plan and manages a funding program typically exceeding $690 million.

Over the past decade, NVTA has invested $3.8 billion in transit, rail, road improvements, technology, and active transportation infrastructure across Northern Virginia. These investments are expected to create 42,000 jobs, save 400 million hours of travel time by 2035, and deliver $6 billion in taxpayer savings.

NVTA’s finance team manages $470 million in annual revenues, $3 billion in project funding, and $2 billion in investments. With a staff of 21 across planning, finance, and communications, NVTA handles complex financial management with a high level of independence and expertise.

Functional Responsibilities

a. Provide accounting support for Authority administrative and project funding functions through:

• General ledger, financial statement accounting and accounts payable support, processing transactions in the accounting system using programmed functions as well as ability to create accurate journal entries.
• Prepare and maintain monthly revenue summary, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all data sources. Conduct monthly revenue analysis to identify trends, variances, and key performance indicators to support financial planning and informed decision-making.
• Assist in the maintenance of proper internal controls and standard operating procedures for the accounting and budgeting functions by monitoring revenue, expenditures, assets and liabilities. Provide suggestions to improve the management of accounting practices and procedures to ensure accounting compliance and accuracy.
• Assists in the year end closing process, Forms 1099, preparation of the annual year end audit and preparation of the annual financial reports.
• Assist in the production of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP and GASB, supported through documented general ledger actions, journal entries, reconciliations, interfaces and reporting procedures.
• Reconciliation of bank and investment accounts as well as reconciliation of special function accounts.
• Review and make recommendations on project reimbursement requests in accord with Authority policy and procedural guidance.

b. Provide backup and redundancy for the General Ledger (Black Mountain), including accounts payable and Portfolio Management (Tracker) systems. Budget development is undertaken and recorded in MS Excel and Black Mountain.

c. Oversight of complex procurements and resultant contract management to ensure compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act and any related grant requirements.

d. Perform ongoing analysis of staff compensation and benefits to maintain accuracy and alignment with current standards.

e. Manage and coordinate outsourced, cloud-based information technology support, maintaining effective communication between external vendors and internal staff. This role focuses on service management and does not require specialized IT expertise.

f. Coordinate and manage external grant activities, including identifying federal/state grants opportunities, supporting proposal development, ensuring compliance with grants requirements.

g. Support special projects and analysis as assigned, while independently working multiple projects with colleagues inside and outside the Authority. Special projects will typically be analytical in nature and will be the basis for discussions and recommendations to the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, statutory and advisory committees, and the governing body.

The above statements are not an exhaustive list of the position responsibilities, preferred characteristics, or qualifications.

PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS:

• Self-starter, able to immediately grasp the accounting systems and processes under the guidance of the Controller and Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
• Comfortable working with minimal supervision; able to set your own agenda and timelines with general guidance and meeting Authority deadlines.
• Knowledge of government, general ledger accounting, including grant accounting; account reconciliation methods, account preparation, review and control methods.
• Working knowledge of government procurement practices and requirements.
• Working knowledge of employee compensation and benefit analysis methods and best practices.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and situations.
• Ability to always project a professional demeanor to jurisdictional/agency staff with whom he/she will coordinate.
• Intellectual curiosity, desiring to look through the numbers within financial statements, to the practical impact in furthering the Authority’s strategic goals.
• Accustomed to working with multiple agencies as a team member and individually, while engendering cooperative long-term relationships.
• Strong accounting skills combined with a desire to undertake quantitative analyses and present complex material through superior oral and written communication skills.
• Prior work experience in state or local government accounting, finance or budget functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, with a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, preferably in governmental fund accounting.
• Extensive computer skills required, including Office 365.
• Ability to read and understand complex legal and regulatory requirements and ability to recommend as well as implement policies and practices to ensure compliance with those requirements.
• CPA certification, master’s degree or other professional certification strongly preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Experience the perfect work-life balance in a quiet, professional office setting, now newly renovated and just steps from the Metro. NVTA offers a flexible hybrid schedule, currently allowing remote work on Mondays and Fridays (subject to change). While the role involves some evening meeting participation and periods of significant time pressure, the overall workload is expected to remain balanced. Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires adaptability to changing goals, priorities, and organizational needs, all within a team-oriented culture that supports creativity and professional development **.

**

BENEFITS:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Membership in the Virginia State Retirement System Plans.
• Life Insurance
• Annual and Sick Leave as well as 14 holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health/Dependent Care)
• Tax-Free Commuter Benefits: Parking and Transit Benefits
• Capital Bikeshare Membership
• Support for Professional Certifications
• Free In-building Fitness Center
• Free In-building Coffee/Tea Bar
• Free Parking

Application Information

NVTA participates in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). In addition, the Authority offers comprehensive medical and dental insurance, vacation and sick leave, life insurance and continuing education opportunities. Additional information regarding the Authority can be found at https://thenovaauthority.org/

This position is open until filled. To apply or ask questions, please send a cover letter and resume to [e-mail]

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation or disability.