Staff Accountant

Vaco; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-Paid Parking

Contract-to-Hire opportunity

Job summary

Vaco in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a detail-oriented Staff Accountant for a contract-to-hire role. Onsite responsibilities include general ledger reconciliations, accounts payable, payroll support, and cash management.

You will work with a professional services team and contribute to a multi-faceted accounting function. The ideal candidate has strong reconciliation skills, solid accounting knowledge, and the ability to handle multiple tasks with precision.

Qualifications

• Previous hands-on accounting experience with a strong emphasis on general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles, journal entries, and financial transactions.
• Experience researching discrepancies and resolving complex or historical accounting issues.
• Familiarity with accounts payable, cash receipts, and general accounting operations.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort learning new accounting systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Accounting degree preferred but not required; relevant hands-on experience is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• General Accounting & Reconciliations: Perform general ledger and balance sheet account reconciliations, including researching and resolving historical discrepancies.
• General: Investigate accounting inconsistencies, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• General: Review financial information to prioritize reconciliation and cleanup efforts.
• General: Research and resolve cash application discrepancies and outstanding account balances.
• General: Prepare and post journal entries, including adjustments related to month-end and year-end closing.
• General: Assist with maintaining accurate financial records and improving accounting processes.
• Accounts Payable & Cash Management: Assist with accounts payable processing, cash receipts, deposits, and payment transactions.
• Accounts Payable: Research and correct misapplied payments and outstanding invoices.
• Accounts Payable: Support billing, disbursements, and other transactional accounting activities as needed.
• Accounts Payable: Help manage increased transaction volumes during busy accounting periods.
• Payroll & Trust Accounting Support: Cross-train to provide backup support for weekly payroll processing and reconciliation.
• Payroll: Assist with verifying payroll deductions, benefits contributions, and related financial transactions.
• Payroll: Utilize accounting systems and technology to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Payroll: Receive training in specialized account reconciliations, trust accounting, and payment processing.
• Payroll: Follow established financial controls, confidentiality standards, and approval procedures.

Skills

GL reconciliations

Balance sheet

Excel

Discrepancy resolution

Journal entries

Attention to detail

Independence

Communication

Analytical thinking

Time management

Education

Accounting degree

Tools

ADP payroll

Accounting software

ERP systems

Trust accounting

Job description

Staff Accountant - Contract-to-Hire

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Compensation: $30-$35/hour (flexibility based on experience)

Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:30 PM (Fully onsite)

Parking: Employer-Paid

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a highly detail-oriented, proactive Staff Accountant to join the accounting team of a well-established professional services organization in Jacksonville, FL.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys problem-solving, investigating discrepancies, and taking ownership of their work. The ideal candidate will have strong account reconciliation experience, a solid understanding of general accounting principles, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

This position offers exposure to a variety of accounting functions, opportunities for cross-training, and the potential for long-term professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting & Reconciliations

• Perform general ledger and balance sheet account reconciliations, including researching and resolving historical discrepancies.
• Investigate accounting inconsistencies, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Review financial information to prioritize reconciliation and cleanup efforts.
• Research and resolve cash application discrepancies and outstanding account balances.
• Prepare and post journal entries, including adjustments related to month-end and year-end closing.
• Assist with maintaining accurate financial records and improving accounting processes.

Accounts Payable & Cash Management

• Assist with accounts payable processing, cash receipts, deposits, and payment transactions.
• Research and correct misapplied payments and outstanding invoices.
• Support billing, disbursements, and other transactional accounting activities as needed.
• Help manage increased transaction volumes during busy accounting periods.

Payroll & Trust Accounting Support

• Cross-train to provide backup support for weekly payroll processing and reconciliation.
• Assist with verifying payroll deductions, benefits contributions, and related financial transactions.
• Utilize accounting systems and technology to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Receive training in specialized account reconciliations, trust accounting, and payment processing.
• Follow established financial controls, confidentiality standards, and approval procedures.

Qualifications

• Previous hands-on accounting experience with a strong emphasis on general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles, journal entries, and financial transactions.
• Experience researching discrepancies and resolving complex or historical accounting issues.
• Familiarity with accounts payable, cash receipts, and general accounting operations.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort learning new accounting systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Accounting degree preferred but not required; relevant hands-on experience is highly valued.

Preferred but Not Required:

• Experience with ADP payroll processing.
• Exposure to trust accounting or professional services accounting.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted accounting tools and automated reconciliation processes.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

We are looking for someone who brings more than technical accounting skills. The successful candidate will be:

• Proactive and self-motivated: Takes initiative, identifies problems, and comes prepared with potential solutions.
• Highly detail-oriented: Understands the importance of accuracy when handling sensitive financial information.
• Resourceful: Comfortable researching discrepancies and working through complex accounting challenges.
• Adaptable and team-oriented: Willing to jump in wherever needed, whether assisting with reconciliations, AP, billing, or cash receipts.
• Dependable and trustworthy: Demonstrates sound judgment, accountability, and professionalism.
• Eager to learn: Interested in expanding their accounting knowledge and taking on additional responsibilities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Growth Potential: Opportunity to expand into payroll, trust accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and broader accounting responsibilities.
• Hands-On Experience: Gain exposure to multiple areas of accounting rather than being limited to one function.
• Supportive Leadership: Work closely with an experienced accounting leader who values initiative and professional development.
• Long-Term Opportunity: Contract-to-hire position with the potential to transition into a permanent role.
• Career Development: Opportunity to grow into a more advanced accounting position as the department continues to develop.

Additional Information

This is a fast-paced, hands-on accounting environment with a strong emphasis on teamwork, accuracy, and meeting deadlines. Availability during critical month-end and year-end accounting periods is important, particularly during the final week of December.