Staff Accountant

Jim Burke Ford Lincoln; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

401(K) Retirement Plan with Match

Paid Vacation

Job summary

Jim Burke Ford Lincoln in Bakersfield, CA is seeking a Staff Accountant to join our financial team. The role focuses on maintaining accurate accounting records, supporting the monthly close, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.

The position also involves preparing journal entries, assisting with tax filings, and supporting internal controls, audits, and reporting for the dealership. A collaborative, detail-oriented professional will thrive here.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible accounting experience in an accounting or finance department.

Responsibilities

• Support the monthly close process and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assist with filings and audit support as needed.
• Prepare journal entries for depreciation and WIP adjustments.
• Manage daily accounting tasks including AR/AP backup when required.
• Maintain internal controls and document processes for accuracy.

Skills

Accounts reconciliation

Month-end close

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Tools

Excel

General Ledger systems

Job description

Job Description The Staff Accountant supports the financial operations of Jim Burke Ford by maintaining accurate accounting records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and assisting with financial reporting and analysis. This role is responsible for account reconciliations, monthly reporting for fuel and work-in-process, assisting with sales tax filings, audit support, and maintaining internal controls. Additionally, the Staff Accountant provides support for general accounting activities, including backing up accounts receivable and accounts payable when needed. The position requires strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while contributing to process improvements and operational efficiency.

Job Description The Staff Accountant supports the financial operations of Jim Burke Ford by maintaining accurate accounting records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and assisting with financial reporting and analysis. This role is responsible for account reconciliations, monthly reporting for fuel and work-in-process, assisting with sales tax filings, audit support, and maintaining internal controls. Additionally, the Staff Accountant provides support for general accounting activities, including backing up accounts receivable and accounts payable when needed. The position requires strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while contributing to process improvements and operational efficiency.

Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, including all important aspects of the job whether performed daily, weekly, monthly, or annually; and any duty that occurs at irregular intervals.

• Support the monthly close process for Jim Burke Ford.
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations and ensure accounts are accurate and reconciled.
• Assist with filing sales and use tax returns in a timely and accurate manner.
• Prepare report for sales team on outstanding Due Bills on a weekly basis.
• Prepare monthly journal entry for depreciation on Demo vehicles.
• Manage daily vehicle flooring activities, execute payoff processing, and reconcile wholesale floorplan statements at month-end to ensure accurate general ledger alignment.
• Retrieve parts invoices and dealer payment statement for supervisor approval and GL coding, input invoices into the system, and perform month-end parts and dealer payment statement reconciliations.
• Manage fuel access control by serving as the primary point of contact for issuing, tracking, and deactivating fuel tank fobs.
• Generate and reconcile monthly fuel tank usage reports to support month-end reporting and departmental accounting.
• Retrieve monthly Work in Process (WIP) data from the dealer management software, perform reconciliations, and prepare journal entries for month-end WIP adjustments.
• Prepare daily bank reconciliations to ensure accurate cash position tracking and ledger alignment.
• Maintain and monitor internal controls related to accounting transactions.
• Establish and maintain general ledger accounts and perform reconciliations for various GL accounts, including Tire, Fleet, and FDAF accounts.
• Review sales journals daily and maintain vehicle sales records, ensuring complete accuracy for month-end reporting and quarterly sales tax filings.
• Reconcile and close internal repair orders and parts invoices to ensure accurate general ledger posting.
• Analyze existing accounting processes and recommend improvements to enhance operational efficiency and internal controls.
• Collaborate with management and other departments to support accounting, reporting, audit, and compliance objectives.
• Perform special projects and other accounting-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible accounting experience in an accounting or finance department.
• Knowledge of general accounting principles and account reconciliations.
• Experience in preparing management reports and supporting month-end close processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with employees, management, auditors, and external business partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information with discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to learn and serve as a backup for accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

Company Description Become a member of a winning team that offers growth opportunities, excellent earning potential, and leadership that fosters engaged team members. Jim Burke Ford Lincoln is one of the top five Ford dealers in California and a recipient of the Ford Motor Company President’s Award—the highest honor bestowed upon a dealership. The dealership corporation was founded in 1913 and is one of the oldest in the nation. With almost 300 employees, our vision of “Building lasting relationships” has become the cornerstone of everything we do. We are always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.

Benefits

• An AWESOME place to work!
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with 100% Match
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Generous Discounts on Sales/Service/Rental
• Voluntary Benefits
• Paid Training

Staff Accountant
Staff Accountant's work schedule will be Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. The hours for this position may change due to work needs.