Senior Staff Accountant

Rainier Recruiting; Washington; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Parental leave

Insurance: Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) with match

Lifestyle Spending Account

Remote work flexibility

Paid holidays

Job summary

Rainier Recruiting seeks a Senior Staff Accountant to maintain accurate financial records, lead close processes, and manage complex journal entries in a project-driven environment.

Ideal candidates will have 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, CPA progress, and strong GAAP expertise, with ERP experience (Ajera/BQE). Hybrid/remote Washington State arrangement offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a staff accountant or similar position.
• CPA or progress toward CPA preferred.
• Experience with month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and audits.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and maintain accurate financial records and reports.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and review complex journal entries and maintain the general ledger.
• Perform and review bank, balance sheet, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Analyze financial results and investigate variances.
• Partner with project accounting staff on monthly client billings and resolve complex billing inquiries.
• Oversee payroll processing.
• Manage banking and credit card accounts.
• Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable activities.
• Assist with budgets, forecasts, and financial projections.
• Prepare and file sales and use tax returns.
• Coordinate internal and external audits.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and regulations.
• Recommend process improvements and strengthen internal controls.
• Assist with ERP enhancements and testing.
• Mentor accounting staff.
• Collaborate with leadership on financial analysis.

Skills

GAAP

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Ajera

BQE

Paycom

Job description

Senior Staff Accountant

Location: Washington State (Hybrid/Remote)

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $90,000–$110,000 annually, DOE (flexible above range for candidates with an active CPA)
• 2–4 weeks vacation, depending on tenure
• 80 hours sick leave annually
• 4 weeks parental leave after one year
• 9 paid holidays + 8 hours paid volunteer time
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance — employer pays 99% of employee premium
• Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, and Transportation accounts
• $500/year Lifestyle Spending Account for remote work and wellness expenses
• Employer-paid Long Term Disability and Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) with up to 4% match
• Voluntary life, long-term care, legal/ID protection, and Aflac policies

About the Company

Our client is a well-established, award-winning professional services firm in the design and construction industry, with a history spanning multiple decades. The firm is known for meaningful, community-focused project work and has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and workplace culture. With a close-knit, team environment, this is not a typical corporate culture- it's a firm that genuinely values work/life balance and long-term employee relationships.

A significant portion of firm revenue is generated through consulting services, supported by a team of consultants and vendor partners.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and highly organized Senior Staff Accountant to join a small, high-performing finance team. This is a hands-on role responsible for maintaining the integrity of the company's financial records, leading complex accounting activities, preparing financial reports, overseeing reconciliations, and supporting monthly and annual close processes, all while ensuring compliance with GAAP and internal controls.

Previous experience in project accounting for a professional services business is essential, ideally within architecture, interior design, construction, or engineering.

This role reports to the Accounting/Finance Manager and has a clear path to grow into a Controller-level role within 6–18 months for the right candidate. Candidates who have performed controller-level functions without formally holding the title are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and maintain accurate financial records and reports
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities
• Prepare and review complex journal entries and maintain the general ledger
• Perform and review bank, balance sheet, and general ledger reconciliations
• Analyze financial results and investigate variances
• Partner with project accounting staff on monthly client billings and resolve complex billing inquiries
• Oversee payroll processing
• Manage banking and credit card accounts
• Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable activities
• Assist with budgets, forecasts, and financial projections
• Prepare and file sales and use tax returns
• Coordinate internal and external audits
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and regulations
• Recommend process improvements and strengthen internal controls
• Assist with ERP enhancements and testing
• Mentor accounting staff
• Collaborate with leadership on financial analysis

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience
• Minimum 3 years in a staff accountant or similar position
• CPA or progress toward CPA preferred
• Experience with month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and audits

Skills

• Strong GAAP knowledge
• Advanced Excel skills
• ERP experience (Ajera or BQE strongly preferred; Paycom a plus)
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills