Staff Accountant - Corporate Headquarters - Fair Lawn, NJ

Columbia Bank Northeast; Fair Lawn (NJ); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Bank is seeking an experienced accounting professional to maintain accuracy in the general ledger, prepare regulatory reports, and manage loan and fixed asset accounting. The role collaborates across departments to ensure SOX/FDICIA controls and accurate financial reporting.

Ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and has at least 3 years of experience in a financial institution, with strong Excel and core banking system knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• Minimum 3 years of accounting experience in financial institution or regulated environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• General Ledger reconciliations & internal controls: manage reconciliations across departments and ensure documentation.
• Regulatory, audit & management reporting: prepare/review reports for bank, auditors, and regulators (GUDPA, loan stats, etc.).
• Loan accounting: maintain FASB 91 function, cost studies, update deferred loan fees.
• Fixed asset accounting: depreciation, asset tracking, tax forms, capital budgeting inputs.
• Cross-functional support: stay cross-trained and take on duties as assigned.
• Regulatory readiness & professional development: stay current with accounting/regulatory requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Cross-department collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Excel

Core banking systems

General ledger platforms

Audit support documents handling

Job description

Columbia Bank is a full-service consumer and commercial bank serving individuals, businesses, and communities across New Jersey, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Through our banking, title, insurance, and wealth management businesses, we provide a broad range of financial solutions tailored to our customers’ needs. We are also committed to strengthening the communities we serve through employee volunteerism, community partnerships, and the Columbia Bank Foundation.

Why this role Matters

Responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of certain areas of the accounting function. Plan, coordinate and assemble the required monthly, quarterly and annual management and regulatory reports and surveys. Develop and disseminate procedures to meet the requirement of increasingly complex accounting regulations. Moderate to strong understanding of accounting principles and bank operations.

What You'll Deliver/Areas of Impact

General Ledger Reconciliations & Internal Controls

• Manage the general ledger reconciliation process across multiple departments, ensuring timely completion in accordance with internal control standards.
• Review account reconciliations for accuracy, completeness, and proper supporting documentation; research, resolve, and document reconciling items and vacancies.
• Support compliance with FDICIA and Sarbanes-Exley (SOX) by reinforcing control execution, evidence retention, and segregation-of-duties requirements.

Regulatory, Audit & Management Reporting

• Prepare and / or review reports as required by Bank, external auditors and regulatory agencies.
• These reports include but are not limited to: GUDPA Certification Statement; Loan Cash Flow Schedules; Thrift Lending Test; Loan Statistics and Lending Trend Reports.

Loan Accounting

• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of the FASB 91 accounting function.
• Plan, coordinate, and perform periodic loan origination cost studies.
• Update standard cost figures on an annual basis.
• Monitor, review, and update all deferred fee and cost sheets.
• Administer all deferred loan fee reporting on monthly basis. Review specific deferral accounts to ensure accuracy of balances.

Fixed Asset Accounting

• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of the Fixed Asset accounting function.
• Prepare federal and state fixed assets / depreciation tax forms and identify related book / tax differences.
• Prepare depreciation forecasts for use with annual capital budget.
• Review all invoices and compile all components of a fixed asset on control spreadsheet.

Cross-functional Support

• Remain cross-trained in other functions of the Accounting Department and performs other duties as may be assigned

Regulatory Readiness & Professional Development

• Keep abreast of accounting, regulatory and statutory requirements

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related business discipline required.
• Minimum 3 years of accounting experience, preferably within a financial institution or regulated environment.
• Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.

Technology Qualifications

• Experience preparing audit supporting documents.
• Experience with general ledger reconciliations in compliance with FDCIA and Sarbanes-Oxley.
• Experience supporting or responding to internal and external audit requests.
• Understanding of US GAAP, banking regulations, and accounting principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience working with core banking systems and general ledger platforms.

How We Take Care of You

Build a stronger future for yourself, your family and the communities we serve. At Columbia Bank, meaningful work comes together with a collaborative and rewarding culture, opportunities to learn and grow, and a total rewards package designed to support your health, financial security and overall wellbeing. Benefits include healthcare choice, retirement savings with company support, employee ownership, wellness resources, education and student loan programs, paid time off and financial protection. Join a company where your contribution is valued, your growth is supported and your career can make a meaningful impact.

The hours that you will dedicate to work

This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule: 3 days in the office and 2 days work from home, based on business needs. This arrangement may change without notice.

Columbia Bank and its affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.