Senior Accountant – General Ledger & Financial Reporting

Applied-Research-Associates,-Inc; Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) seeks a Senior Accountant for General Ledger and Financial Reporting in a hybrid role based in Albuquerque, NM. The position focuses on ASC 606 revenue recognition, GL accounting, and enhancing management reporting through ERP platforms such as Deltek Costpoint and Workday Adaptive Planning.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of accounting experience, strong U.S. GAAP knowledge, and a track record in month-end close, reconciliations, and internal controls.

Qualifications

• ASC 606 revenue recognition expertise and contract evaluation.
• Research and apply U.S. GAAP to complex transactions.
• Month-end close, reconciliations, and financial statement prep.
• Audit support and internal controls improvement.
• Experience with ERP reporting tools and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead ASC 606 revenue recognition, contract evaluations and period-end reporting.
• Support GL accounting, close processes, reconciliations and financial statements.
• Improve data accuracy and automate reporting through ERP systems.
• Develop and maintain financial reports, schedules, and variance analyses.
• Collaborate with IT and finance to streamline workflows and controls.

Skills

Advanced Excel

US GAAP

Revenue recognition

ERP systems

Financial reporting

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA or CMA (preferred)

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

Workday Adaptive Planning

Oracle

Job description

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Senior Accountant – General Ledger & Financial Reporting

• Posted on October 14, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

Albuquerque, NM 87110, USA

+2 more locations

• Hybrid
• Travel Required : Yes
• Finance & Accounting
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: SENIO010151

Description

ARA's Corporate Accounting Department is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant with strong technical accounting expertise, sound professional judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset. This individual will serve as a key resource for revenue recognition under ASC 606, strengthen general ledger accounting processes, and support the modernization of financial statement and management reporting through greater utilization of our ERP and financial planning systems, including Deltek Costpoint and Workday Adaptive Planning.

Our team supports the dedicated employee-owners who make Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) successful. We are committed to delivering accurate, timely financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, and providing exceptional service to a growing organization. We value teamwork, individual and shared accountability, professional development, and a balanced, enjoyable work environment.

What you’ll do as ARA’s Senior Accountant

ASC 606 Revenue Recognition

Perform and support revenue recognition activities in accordance with ASC 606, including contract evaluation, revenue reconciliations, and period-end reporting.

Analyze complex contract arrangements, including multi-element and fixed-price contracts, and document appropriate accounting conclusions.

Support revenue reporting, variance analysis, contract closeout activities, and revenue adjustments.

Evaluate existing revenue recognition practices and contribute to the development and documentation of consistent accounting procedures.

Provide accounting support and technical analysis for unusual or nonroutine transactions.

Support improvements to financial statement preparation and management reporting through greater use of ERP systems and reporting technologies.

Develop, maintain, and validate financial reports, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.

Collaborate with accounting, finance, and systems personnel to improve data accuracy, reporting consistency, and process efficiency.

Participate in system enhancements, testing, and implementation activities that affect accounting and reporting.

Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes through standardization, improved system functionality, and appropriate automation.

• Support system upgrade testing, enhancements, and business system evaluation or migration activities
• Partner with IT and functional SMEs to improve workflows, resolve system issues, and drive process automation

General Ledger & Financial Accounting

Perform and support monthly and annual financial close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement preparation.

Analyze general ledger activity and financial results, investigate unusual transactions or variances, and recommend appropriate accounting treatment.

Prepare and review supporting schedules, reconciliations, and financial reporting documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Research technical accounting matters under U.S. GAAP, document conclusions, and support implementation of accounting policies and standards.

Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies by collaborating with corporate accounting, operational finance, and other business stakeholders.

Operational Efficiency

Take ownership of assigned responsibilities, proactively identify issues, and drive them toward timely resolution.

Manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting critical deadlines.

Communicate accounting findings and recommendations clearly to both financial and nonfinancial stakeholders.

Collaborate with team members and business partners to strengthen accounting processes and knowledge sharing.

Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, sound professional judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Audit, Controls & Compliance Support

Maintain accurate accounting records, supporting documentation, and effective internal controls.

Prepare audit schedules and respond to financial statement, internal, and government audit inquiries.

Research accounting questions, reconcile discrepancies, and provide timely, well-documented responses.

Support compliance with applicable accounting standards, company policies, and government contracting requirements.

Identify potential accounting or control risks and recommend practical improvements.

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field and at least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and demonstrated experience applying accounting principles to business transactions.

• Demonstrated experience applying revenue recognition principles, including ASC 606, and the ability to research, document, and communicate accounting conclusions.

Experience performing month-end close activities, preparing general ledger reconciliations, and supporting financial statement preparation.

Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies and develop supported accounting conclusions.

Experience working with financial information from enterprise accounting or ERP systems.

Advanced Excel proficiency, including the ability to analyze large data sets, reconcile information, and develop financial schedules.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex accounting assignments, exercise sound professional judgment, proactively resolve issues, and deliver accurate results within established deadlines.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain accounting issues and recommendations effectively.

Commitment to professional integrity, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Senior Accountant Preferred Qualifications:

CPA or CMA certification, or demonstrated progress toward certification.

Experience researching and applying complex technical accounting standards, including ASC 842.

Experience in government contracting or project-based accounting environments, including exposure to FAR, CAS, or DCAA requirements.

Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Workday Adaptive Planning, Oracle, or comparable enterprise systems.

Experience preparing financial statements and management reports using ERP-generated data.

Experience supporting external financial statement audits, internal audits, or government compliance reviews.

Demonstrated experience improving accounting processes through system enhancements, reporting technologies, or automation.

Company & Division Information

The ARA Corporate office prides itself on providing excellent customer service and accounting services to a growing and ever-changing organization. We strive to be flexible while ensuring that we comply with government, state, and contract regulations and requirements. We partner with our employees to help them in turn provide exceptional customer service for our customers.

Applied Research Associates (ARA) is a 100% employee-owned technology solutions company with more than 2,300 employee-owners across the United States and Canada. Our dedicated team brings deep technical expertise and a passion for solving complex challenges – creating innovative solutions that protect our safety, security, and way of life. At ARA, every project is an opportunity to exceed expectations. We deliver solutions that not only meet mission objectives but unlock new possibilities for the future.

Hybrid Work Notice: This position offers a primarily office-based hybrid work arrangement, with an emphasis on in-person collaboration and engagement with the Corporate Accounting team. Candidates must be local to either Albuquerque, NM, or Raleigh, NC.

Travel Required

Yes . Some travel may be required (<10%) based on candidate’s employment location

Qualifications

Behaviors

Required

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Preferred

Thought Provoking : Capable of making others think deeply on a subject

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Loyal : Shows firm and constant support to a cause

Functional Expert : Considered a thought leader on a subject

Enthusiastic : Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Dedicated : Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Required

Financial : Inspired to perform well by monetary reimbursement

Preferred

Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

Goal Completion : Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Flexibility : Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Ability to Make an Impact : Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

Required

Bachelor of Arts or better in Accounting.

Experience

Required

3-5 years: Related experience with a master’s degree

5-7 years: Related experience with a bachelor’s degree

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

CPA

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.