Senior Accountant, Financial Operations

Hostelling International USA (HI USA); Silver Spring (MD); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Transportation and commuter benefits

Employer-paid life and disability保险

Job summary

Hostelling International USA (HI USA) is seeking a Senior Accountant, Financial Operations to strengthen financial operations including AP, cash, and balance sheet reconciliations. The role emphasizes GAAP compliance and internal controls, supporting audits and regulatory filings.

The position offers a hybrid work schedule, with in-person collaboration at our downtown Silver Spring office. Collaboration with Finance, departments, vendors, and auditors is key to timely financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting and finance experience with AP, reconciliations, and financial operations; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and month-end close processes.
• Experience with account reconciliations, accruals, analyses, 1099 reporting and audit support.
• Hands-on experience with accounting and ERP systems; Sage Intacct experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with Concur or similar invoice/expense-management system preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage accounts payable processing with coding, review, approvals, payments and recording.
• Monitor AP aging and follow up with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate new vendor setup and maintain vendor data according to controls.
• Prepare AP accruals, analyses, and month-end close adjustments.
• Prepare prepaid expenses and balance sheet reconciliations with supporting schedules.
• Reconcile bank accounts; investigate discrepancies and adjust as needed.
• Review employee expense reports and corporate card activity; follow up on missing docs.
• Prepare and assist with monthly occupancy tax filings and 1099 reporting.
• Maintain audit-ready records and support annual financial statement audits.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls and automate processes.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Sage Intacct

Concur

Excel

Job description

Join our Finance team and help strengthen the financial operations that support our people, our hostels, and the mission-driven work we do every day.

The Senior Accountant, Financial Operations is responsible for key accounting and financial operations of HI USA with a strong focus on accounts payable, cash and balance sheet reconciliations, month-end close, regulatory filings, and audit support. This position helps ensure financial transactions are accurately recorded and supported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), organizational policies, and internal controls.

Working closely with Finance team members, departments across the organization, external vendors, and auditors, this role helps resolve accounting matters and support accurate and timely financial reporting. The position requires strong accounting knowledge, analytical and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage competing priorities and deadlines. It also leverages technology and automation to improve the accuracy and efficiency of accounting processes.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule, combining remote work with in-person collaboration at our downtown Silver Spring office.

Benefits and Perks:

• Full-time role with a robust benefits package
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Transportation and commuter benefits
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Free stays at our hostels (subject to availability)
• The opportunity to make an impact while supporting an organization that brings people together
• Waiting periods apply for certain benefits

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage accounts payable processing, including invoice assignment, coding and documentation review, approval follow-up, online payments, and payment recording, ensuring transactions are accurate, properly authorized, and recorded in the appropriate accounting period.
• Monitor outstanding invoices, approvals, and AP aging; follow up with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve past-due, duplicate, or unusual items.
• Coordinate new vendor setup and maintain accurate vendor information in accordance with verification procedures and internal controls.
• Prepare AP accruals, account analyses, and related adjustments as part of the month-end close.
• Prepare prepaid expense and assigned balance sheet account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and analyses for monthly and year-end close.
• Reconcile bank accounts, investigate discrepancies and reconciling items, and identify necessary adjustments.
• Review and reconcile employee expense reports and corporate credit card activity, including follow-up on missing documentation and unresolved transactions.
• Prepare and assist with monthly occupancy tax filings and maintain required supporting documentation.
• Coordinate annual Form 1099 reporting, including vendor record review, reconciliation of reportable payments, exception resolution, and timely filing.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready accounting records and support the annual financial statement audit by preparing schedules, documentation, and responses to auditor requests.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls and improve accounting processes and efficiency through technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools.
• Perform additional accounting duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including significant experience with accounts payable, reconciliations, and financial operations; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and month-end close processes.
• Demonstrated experience with account reconciliations, accruals, account analyses, 1099 reporting and other tax-related filings, and audit support.
• Hands‑on experience with accounting and ERP systems required; Sage Intacct experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with Concur or a comparable invoice and expense‑management system preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong technical aptitude and process‑improvement mindset, with the ability to adopt evolving systems and leverage automation and AI tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and follow‑through, including the ability to investigate discrepancies and resolve outstanding items.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and customer service skills, with the ability to collaborate across the organization and build effective working relationships with vendors, auditors, and other external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and effectively follow up with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to support and promote change by leading by example, encouraging continuous improvement, and helping others adopt more effective processes and technologies.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform work in both office and remote environments
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer
• Regular use of a computer and keyboard to perform core job functions
• May occasionally lift or move items up to 10–15 pounds
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role