Sr. Accountant

Vaco by Highspring; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

True Work-Life Balance (35-hour summer

Modern Tech Stack

Growth & Career Development

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring in Des Moines, IA seeks an experienced Senior Accountant to join on-site and lead client accounting operations, financial reporting, and reconciliations. Reports to the Managing Partner. Tax prep is a bonus but not required, with a focus on accuracy and collaboration.

The role offers a balanced schedule, structured hours, and a tech-forward environment. CPA track preferred, 3–6 years accounting experience, and strong proficiency with QuickBooks, UltraTax, TaxDome, Juno, and MS

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 3–6 years of accounting experience, ideally in a public or private firm.
• CPA designation or active CPA track preferred but not required.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with clients and team.
• Proficiency with modern accounting tools (QuickBooks, UltraTax, TaxDome, Juno, MS 365).

Responsibilities

• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements for diverse clients.
• Maintain books for individuals, trusts, and small businesses as a day-to-day resource.
• Assist with tax preparation during peak seasons as needed (bonus).
• Leverage AI-backed software to streamline bookkeeping workflows.
• Collaborate with wealth management and tax teams to ensure holistic financial planning.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA track preferred

Tools

QuickBooks

UltraTax

TaxDome

Juno

Microsoft 365

Job description

Location:

On-site-Des Moines, Iowa, Must be local or willing to relocate within reasonable time period-please note-not a fully remote position/ Hybrid (Minimum 4 days in office)

Reports To:

Managing Partner

Salary Range:

$85,000 - $105,000 base (depending on experience)

About Us

This firm is a dynamic, high-touch CPA firm with a dedicated team of 15 professionals. We pride ourselves on cultivating a family- and team-oriented culture that balances high performance with real workplace flexibility. We are deeply focused on employee development, mentorship, and maintaining a fun, supportive environment for our team.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Senior Accountant to join our growing team. Reporting directly to the Managing Partner, you will play a core role in managing client accounting operations, financial reporting, and reconciliations.

While tax preparation experience is not strictly required for this role, it is considered a strong bonus and would be highly beneficial during peak seasons. This position is ideal for an accounting professional who loves financial analysis, values work-life balance through structured hours, and thrives in a collaborative, tech-forward environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & General Ledger Management: Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, journal entries, bank reconciliations, and financial statement preparation for diverse clients.
• Client Accounting Services: Maintain accurate books and records for individuals, trusts, and small business clients, serving as a reliable day-to-day resource.
• Tax Support (Beneficial): Assist with tax preparation or documentation review during peak tax seasons as needed, leveraging your background to support the tax division.
• Process Optimization & Technology: Leverage modern, AI-backed software tools to streamline bookkeeping workflows, automate routine tasks, and maximize efficiency.
• Internal Collaboration: Work seamlessly with the broader wealth management and tax teams to ensure holistic financial planning and smooth communication across client accounts.

Work Schedule & Work-Life Balance

We strongly believe in managing workload spikes to prevent burnout. This role features a balanced, predictable schedule:

• Tax Season (January 1 - April 15): Up to 50-60 hours per week (if supporting tax functions)
• Rest of the Year: Standard 40 hours per week

Qualifications & Skills

• Education & Licensure: Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance. CPA designation or active CPA track is preferred but not required.
• Experience: 3 to 6 years of solid accounting experience, ideally within a public or private accounting firm.
• Tax Exposure: Tax preparation experience is not required, but any background in tax preparation or compliance is considered a strong asset.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships with clients and internal team members.
• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with modern accounting and office ecosystems. Experience with Quickbooks, UltraTax, TaxDome, Juno (AI-based document reader), and Microsoft 365 is highly preferred.

Why You'll Love Working Here (Employee Value Proposition)

• True Work-Life Balance: Enjoy abbreviated 35-hour workweeks during the summer months to recharge.
• Collaborative Environment: Work within a highly supportive, tight-knit team of 15 people where your voice is heard and your impact is visible.
• Modern Tech Stack: Work with cutting-edge AI and automated document tools designed to eliminate manual data entry friction.
• Culture of Growth: Direct access to leadership with an emphasis on training, coaching, and long-term career development.
• Career Advancement: We are committed to internal growth. You'll have the mentorship and resources needed to advance your career and take on increased leadership responsibilities within the firm.

Interview Process

• 1 to 2 in-person interviews with leadership.