Staff Accountant

Chef Works Inc; Poway (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Chef Works Inc in Poway, CA is seeking a Staff Accountant to support the Accounting and Finance team with accurate financial records, reconciliations, and month-end close activities. The role collaborates with AR, AP, and other departments to ensure timely and precise financial reporting.

This hybrid position emphasizes process improvements, automation, and reliable reporting using Excel and ERP systems, with office days Monday through Thursday and work-from-home Fridays.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word; ERP experience; Sage preferred.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform monthly balance sheet and cash reconciliations and resolve discrepancies.
• Coordinate with AR and AP to ensure accurate monthly cash activity.
• Prepare accounting for leases, intercompany chargebacks, and related schedules.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Team player

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

ERP systems

Sage

Avalara

AI tools

Job description

Description

Overall:

The Staff Accountant supports the Accounting and Finance team by maintaining accurate financial records, performing account reconciliations, preparing recurring accounting analyses, and supporting month-end and year-end close activities. This position works across multiple areas of the general ledger and partners closely with Accounts Receivable (AR), Accounts Payable (AP), and other departments to ensure cash activity and financial transactions are recorded accurately and timely. The ideal candidate is proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working in an evolving environment where the team is actively identifying opportunities to automate and improve everyday accounting processes.

Our Hybrid Work Program:

To create vibrancy and foster collaboration, while providing for hours spent working from home, we have implemented a hybrid work schedule. We work from the office in Poway on Mondays through Thursdays. Fridays are spent working from home. Team members can always work more hours in the office, if they choose.

General Accounting:

• Perform monthly balance sheet and cash-related reconciliations, including PayPal, gift cards, Credit Key, Braintree, and other assigned accounts; research and resolve discrepancies.
• Work closely with Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) to ensure monthly cash activity is recorded completely, accurately, and on time, and to research and resolve reconciling items.
• Prepare and maintain accounting for operating and finance leases, including monthly entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Prepare monthly intercompany chargebacks and related reconciliations, ensuring charges are accurate, supported, and recorded timely.
• Monitor and analyze accounts receivable activity related to bad debt; prepare supporting schedules and journal entries for the allowance and write-offs as needed.
• Support the annual capital expenditure budget process and maintain related tracking and reporting throughout the year.
• Reconcile 80+ employee monthly expense reports, identify discrepancies, and prepare recurring expense reporting for Human Resources and IT.
• Manage the fixed asset accounting process, including recording acquisitions, disposals, transfers, and related reconciliations.
• Support sales tax compliance using Avalara, including review of tax activity, reconciliations, research of discrepancies, and preparation of supporting information for filings.
• Participate in month-end and year-end close processes by preparing journal entries, reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with external auditors during annual audits and provide requested documentation and explanations related to financial transactions and account balances.
• Partner with Accounting, Finance, HR, IT, AP, AR, and other departments to research and resolve accounting issues.
• Use Excel and other reporting tools to analyze financial data, improve processes, and prepare recurring and ad hoc reports.
• Maintain organized supporting documentation and demonstrate strong attention to detail, follow-through, and ownership of assigned responsibilities.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

1. 1. Requires Bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent. Two to five years progressive general accounting experience.
2. 2. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word required. Experience working with ERP or accounting systems required; Sage experience preferred. Experience with Avalara or similar sales tax software is a plus.
3. 3. Strong problem-solving, organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain a high level of accuracy.
4. 4. Ability to take ownership of assigned responsibilities, follow tasks through to completion, research issues independently, and ask questions when needed.
5. 5. Proactive and flexible team player who communicates and collaborates effectively with others, adapts well to changing processes and priorities, and embraces opportunities to improve and automate everyday accounting workflows.
6. 6. Practical experience with AI tools preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Occasional lifting of 10lbs or less (less than 5% of the time) generally at waist level, some above/below waist, none above shoulders. Must be able to do desk work, which includes computer work for extended periods of time. Some use of telephone.