Staff Accountant

Harness IP & Pierce PLC; Bloomfield Hills (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Harness IP & Pierce PLC is seeking a Staff Accountant to support accurate financial reporting by maintaining accounting records, preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and assisting with financial analysis.

You will work with the accounting team to resolve discrepancies, prepare detailed analyses, and ensure internal controls are followed. The role requires accuracy, patience, and the ability to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Knowledge of GAAP, general ledger accounting and reconciliations.
• Excel proficiency with formulas, lookups, and pivot tables; Access experience preferred.
• Ability to learn accounting software and reporting systems.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to accuracy and detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and cross-department collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and meet reporting deadlines.
• Experience with fast-paced, deadline-oriented environments.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and record journal entries, including accruals, adjustments, and reclassifications, with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts; investigate discrepancies and coordinate timely resolution.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities according to established deadlines.
• Prepare account analyses, financial schedules, and reports to support accurate financial statements.
• Prepare footnotes to both the firm level and office-level financial statements.
• Maintain schedules for prepaid expenses, fixed assets, depreciation, and other assigned accounts.
• Coordinate with accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll to verify proper transaction coding and resolve accounting questions.
• Assist with audit requests by gathering records, preparing schedules, and explaining account activity.
• Support budget-to-actual reporting and research significant variances as assigned.
• Follow accounting policies, approval procedures, and internal controls; identify opportunities to improve processes and documentation.
• Protect confidential financial information and maintain organized, accessible accounting records.
• Complete other accounting projects or duties as assigned by the Controller or the Director of Financial Operations.
• Support and back-up other accounting functions to cover other team members’ PTO.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

ERP system

Job description

Description

The Staff Accountant supports accurate and timely financial reporting by assisting with the maintenance of accounting records, preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, assisting with financial analysis and preparing detailed account analysis and reports. This position works with the accounting team and other departments to resolve discrepancies, maintain supporting documentation, and follow established accounting policies and internal controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and record journal entries, including accruals, adjustments, and reclassifications, with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts; investigate discrepancies and coordinate timely resolution.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities according to established deadlines.
• Prepare account analyses, financial schedules, and reports to support accurate financial statements.
• Prepare footnotes to both the firm level and office-level financial statements.
• Maintain schedules for prepaid expenses, fixed assets, depreciation, and other assigned accounts.
• Coordinate with accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll to verify proper transaction coding and resolve accounting questions.
• Assist with audit requests by gathering records, preparing schedules, and explaining account activity.
• Support budget-to-actual reporting and research significant variances as assigned.
• Follow accounting policies, approval procedures, and internal controls; identify opportunities to improve processes and documentation.
• Protect confidential financial information and maintain organized, accessible accounting records.
• Complete other accounting projects or duties as assigned by the Controller or the Director of Financial Operations.
• Support and back-up other accounting functions to cover other team members’ PTO.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), general ledger accounting, and account reconciliation. Knowledge of partnership accounting and tax reporting a positive.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, and pivot tables. Experience with Microsoft Access preferred. Willingness to participate in training to fill knowledge gaps is mandatory.
• Ability to learn and use accounting software and financial reporting systems.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to accuracy and detail is mandatory.
• Ability to organize work, manage competing priorities, and meet reporting deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively to complete assigned work and special projects.
• Ability to work a fast-paced, dead-line oriented environment.

Preferred Qualification:

• Two to four years of relevant accounting experience; applicable internships may be considered.
• Experience supporting month-end close, financial reporting, and audit preparation.
• Experience with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) or accounting system.
• The ideal candidate for this position will be self-motivated, analytical and team oriented.