Lead Accountant - 90288584 - Washington

Amtrak; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 73,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401K with Employer Match

Generous Paid Time Off

Job summary

Amtrak is seeking a Lead Accountant to reconcile general ledger balances and prepare monthly journal entries for Corporate Accounting. The role involves researching documents from other departments to determine journal entries and supports debt, investments, payroll accruals, intercompany accounting, and audits.

The position emphasizes GAAP knowledge, strong analytical skills, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment while ensuring accuracy and internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related business field.
• Proficient in General Ledger systems, Excel, and Word.
• 5+ years of progressive General Accounting experience with GAAP knowledge.
• CPA or CPA Eligible; strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and ensure accuracy of general ledger activities and balances.
• Validate key assumptions and supporting data for financial results.
• Prepare and upload monthly journal entries for month-end close.
• Investigate discrepancies and reconcile balance sheet accounts.
• Assist with internal and external audit requests with documentation and analyses.
• Maintain internal controls to ensure policy compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in special projects and process improvements as directed by leadership.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Multitasking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance/related field

CPA or CPA Eligible

Tools

Excel

Word

SAP/ERP systems

Job description

Your success is a train ride away! As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

The Lead Accountant position will have the responsibility of reconciling general ledger account balances and preparing monthly journal entries that are Corporate Accounting’s responsibility. This position plays a key role in researching documents submitted by departments external to Corporate Accounting and determining the journal entry to record the transaction.
Corporate Accounting is primarily responsible for debt and investment transactions, payroll and benefits accruals, subsidiary and intercompany accounting, valuation adjustments for environmental remediation projects, claims liabilities and loyalty programs, monthly close and key financial statement audit activities.

Essential Functions

• Analyze and ensure the accuracy and completeness of critical general ledger activities and account balances for which Corporate Accounting is responsible.
• Assess and validate the key assumptions, calculations, and the supporting data used to determine financial results.
• Prepare and upload monthly journal entries in accordance with the 5-day month-end close schedule.
• Research, investigate, and resolve account balance discrepancies and prepare timely monthly balance sheet account reconciliations.
• Support the review of account activity and perform variance analysis to identify and explain fluctuations in financial results during the monthly close process.
• Assists with internal and external audit requests by preparing supporting documentation, conducting financial analyses, and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Monitor and maintain internal controls over financial transactions to ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in special projects, process improvement initiatives, and other ad hoc assignments as directed by the Director of Corporate Accounting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field.
• Proficient in General Ledger accounting systems, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word, including the ability to analyze financial data, prepare reports, and support accounting operations efficiently.
• More than 5 years of progressive General Accounting experience with extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and strong expertise in account reconciliations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).or CPA Eligible
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to prioritize responsibilities, maintain organization, and successfully manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SAP or other ERP system.
• Public Accounting experience.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting requirements under U.S. GAAP, with the ability to apply guidance to moderately complex accounting matters.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies, assess root causes, and develop well-reasoned, practical solutions.
• Experience working with accounting and financial systems, with the ability to support data accuracy, reporting requirements, and system or process enhancements.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain accounting concepts and results to finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and professional judgment, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently with minimal supervision, and meet established deadlines while maintaining accuracy and integrity.

Work Environment

• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to learn various business processes and quickly grasp new concepts, approaches, and systems.
• Strong collaborative mindset, working with team members and cross-functional departments to meet established deadlines and contribute to the overall success of the department and organization.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment while maintaining high levels of productivity, communication, and accountability.

The salary/hourly range is $94,300.00 – $122,256.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

Benefits

• Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K with Employer Match
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Wellness Programs
• Railroad Retirement Benefits
• Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care
• Health Savings Account
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• Fertility and Family Building Benefits
• No-cost Personal Health Advocate
• Student Loan Assistance
• Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance
• Medical Plan Opt-out Credit
• Tuition and Education Reimbursement
• Paid Family Leave
• Life Insurance
• Rail Pass Privileges
• Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions
• Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Requisition ID: 167040

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days

Relocation Offered: No

Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR

• 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.
• 1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.