Full Time Accounting Services Accountant

Arbor Research Collaborative for Health; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Arbor Research Collaborative for Health is seeking a Staff Accountant to manage general ledger accounting, month-end close, and government contracting related reporting in a federally funded environment.

The role includes journal entries, reconciliations, ASC 606 revenue recognition, accounts payable, and coordination with the Accounting Manager. Proficiency in Unanet and advanced Excel are required, with DCAA/DCMA audits experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of general ledger or staff accounting experience.
• Experience with government contractors or federally funded organizations.
• Experience with Unanet timekeeping, expenses, or projects.
• Strong GAAP and account reconciliation skills.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data reconciliation).
• Familiarity with FAR Part 31, DCAA audits, and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Experience with incurred cost submissions and forward pricing proposals.

Responsibilities

• Support general ledger accounting and month-end close.
• Prepare journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support project accounting, labor cost distribution, and revenue recognition (ASC 606).
• Process accounts payable, vendor/subcontractor invoices, and expense reports in Unanet.
• Prepare weekly payment runs and maintain vendor master data.
• Assist with audits from DCAA, DCMA, and external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with FAR and federal contracting regulations.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

General ledger

Reconciliations

ASC 606

DCAA/DCMA

Unanet

Excel

Federal grants

Cost accounting

Vendor invoices

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Unanet

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Our Core Values

Our core values define who we are as an organization and serve as the foundation of our code of ethics. We expect them to be technically solid in their area of expertise and for those researching to demonstrate scientific rigor.Dedication:

Our team achieves success because of our dedication to carrying out high-quality work and delivering trusted results.

The Staff Accountant is responsible for supporting the organization’s general ledger accounting, month-end close, financial reporting, and accounts payable functions within a government contracting or federally funded environment. This role prepares journal entries, performs balance sheet reconciliations, analyzes financial results, maintains accounting records, and supports budget-to-actual reporting to ensure accurate and timely financial information in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The position also supports project accounting, labor cost distribution, revenue recognition under ASC 606, and contract billing across various contract types, while partnering with the Accounting Manager, program managers, and other departments to maintain strong financial controls and meet reporting deadlines. The role oversaw key accounts payable activities, including reviewing and processing vendor and subcontractor invoices, validating charges against purchase orders and receiving documentation, reviewing employee expense reports in Unanet, coordinating weekly payment runs, and maintaining vendor records. Additional responsibilities include reconciling accounts payable balances, managing accruals, preparing annual Form 1099 filings, and resolving invoice and payment discrepancies. The Staff Accountant also supports internal and external audits, including requests from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and external auditors, while helping ensure compliance with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements, indirect cost principles, and other federal contracting regulations.

Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations, including cash, accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and fixed assets. Prepare support schedules and financial statement analyses, including budget-to-actual and variance reports for overhead and general and administration department owners. Maintain the chart of accounts and organizational structure in coordination with the Accounting Manager. Support labor cost distribution, timekeeping compliance, and labor reconciliations between timekeeping, payroll, and the general ledger. Assist with project setup, revenue recognition (ASC 606), and billing across cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials, and firm-fixed-price contracts. Prepare documentation and respond to requests from DCAA, DCMA, cognizant federal agencies, and external auditors, including Single Audit (Uniform Guidance) procedures where applicable. Review, code, and process vendor and subcontractor invoices in Unanet, ensuring accurate charging to the appropriate project, account, and organization. Review subcontractor invoices for consistency with subcontract terms, approved rates, ceilings, and period of performance prior to payment. Review and process employee expense reports submitted through Unanet for compliance with organizational policy and the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), as applicable. Prepare weekly payment runs (ACH, check, and wire), and maintain vendor master data, including W-9 collection and SAM. Reconcile the accounts payable subledger to the general ledger monthly, maintain the accounts payable aging, and record accounts payable accruals at period end.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field. Three (3) or more years of general ledger or staff accounting experience, including at least two (2) years with a government contractor or federally funded organization. Working experience with Unanet (timekeeping, expense, project, or financial modules). Working knowledge of FAR Part 31, DCAA audit requirements, and indirect rate structures. Strong understanding of GAAP and account reconciliation practices. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data reconciliation. Familiarity with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Single Audit requirements for federal grants. Experience supporting Incurred Cost Submissions and forward pricing or provisional billing rate proposals.

Remote

Accounting Manager

Overnight Travel

Base Compensation also includes various individual factors unique to each candidate such as job level, prior experience, skill set, certifications, and education, which may impact the compensation structure.