Senior Associate, Accounting & Client Onboarding

Journeycpas; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

In-person flexibility

Firm conference

Job summary

Journey Advisors + CPAS is seeking a Senior Associate in Accounting & Client Onboarding to welcome new clients, gather information, and establish opening balances. You will work with clients to prepare monthly statements and explain accounting processes in clear, non-technical terms.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years of full-cycle accounting, strong client-facing skills, and a CPA is preferred but not required. The role is based in-office in Michigan with some tax-season responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
• 3+ years of full-cycle accounting experience.
• CPA preferred, but not required.
• Experience working directly with clients and explaining accounting concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end onboarding for new clients, including document collection and system setup.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements for clients.
• Educate clients on financial statements, workflows, and firm processes.
• Review team work for accuracy and communicate accounting matters clearly.
• Assist with tax-related tasks during tax season.

Skills

Full-cycle accounting

Client onboarding

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's in accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

QuickBooks

Hubdoc

Job description

Share your expertise, grow your skills and let your personality shine at Journey Advisors + CPAS! We’re looking for dedicated, passionate people who are eager to learn and collaborate. Sound like you? Check out our open roles below.

Senior Associate, Accounting & Client Onboarding

At Journey, we help our clients move forward with clarity and confidence through better financials, smarter tax planning, and thoughtful business advice. As a Senior Associate of Accounting & Client Onboarding, you’ll play an integral role in welcoming new clients to the “Journey Way” by ensuring they are set-up for success right from the get-go. You’ll learn their story, gather all relevant information, establish accurate opening balance sheets and/or clean up prior book-keeping, and educate them on Journey’s accounting process. In addition, you’ll work with some of your own clients to prepare their monthly financial statements and help them make sense of their numbers.

We’re looking for someone who has 3+ years of full-cycle accounting experience and loves a lot of hands‑on client support. If you enjoy explaining the ins and outs of accounting and building strong client relationships, this might be just the role for you!

What You’ll Do

Client Onboarding & Education

• Lead end‑to‑end onboarding for new clients, including document collection, system setup (QuickBooks, Hubdoc, etc.), account connections, and accurate opening balances
• Review, clean up, and transition prior accounting records for new and existing businesses
• Educate and guide business owners on financial statements, accounting workflows, and firm processes using clear, non‑technical communication

Ongoing Accounting & Review

• Prepare, reconcile, and maintain monthly financial statements for clients across multiple industries
• Perform financial analysis and deliver clear written summaries and insights to clients
• Review team members’ work for accuracy and communicate accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll matters with clients in a professional and approachable manner

Team & Firm Support

• Support training and onboarding of new accounting and tax team members and collaborate to improve workflows and client experience
• Research and help implement new technologies to enhance onboarding and accounting processes
• Assist with individual and business tax return preparation during tax season

What You Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field
• 3+ years of full-cycle accounting experience
• CPA preferred, but not required
• Prior experience and sincere interest in working directly and frequently with clients

Confidence explaining accounting concepts clearly, patiently, and in a client‑friendly way

• A genuine desire to support and see business owners succeed
• Professionalism, attention to detail, and a strong sense of ownership
• Openness to learning and feedback, and a desire to keep improving
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage deadlines

What to Expect

• Full time, in-person collaboration at either our Grand Rapids, MI or Naperville, IL office
• Limited time off during tax season (January 15 – April 15)
• Expectation of 50–55 hours/week during tax season, including some Saturdays
• Occasional travel (1–4 times/year) for conferences, client meetings, or team events
• A team that cares deeply about its people, its clients, and doing work that matters

We’re not just looking for someone to fill a seat; we’re looking for someone ready to grow, contribute, and help us make great things happen for our clients and our Journey team.

Why work at Journey?

At Journey Advisors & CPAs, we offer more than just a job—we offer the opportunity to grow, contribute, and enjoy the work along the way. Here’s what you can expect:

Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 401(k) with employer match up to 4%
• Generous paid time off, starting at 20 days per year, plus paid holidays
• In-person work with built‑in flexibility to accommodate life events and responsibilities
• A positive, professional environment where new ideas are welcomed and growth is encouraged
• A supportive team that enjoys trivia, celebrates wins, and enjoys being all together at our annual firm conference
• A globally connected team that includes outsourced professionals from around the world, expanding our capacity and perspectives
• The chance to partner directly with business owners, providing guidance as they grow their businesses and pursue their goals

If you’re looking for meaningful work in a culture that balances high standards with a human approach, Journey might be the place for you.