Accountant

Description:

Reports to: VP of Finance

Location: Arlington, VA

Schedule: Full time, in office, Monday- Friday

Position Objective:

The Accountant supports accurate and timely accounting operations for the Meat Institute and its related entities. This hands-on position manages key accounts payable, cash receipt activities prepares reconciliations, , and supports monthly financial close . The Accountant helps maintain strong internal controls, reliable financial records while providing responsive service to internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Responsibilities:

Accounts Payable and Expense Management

• Oversee the processing of vendor purchase order requests, invoices, and employee expense reports in NetSuite; verify supporting documentation, account and department coding, approvals, and compliance with established policies.
• Process weekly payment cycles for multiple entities, including check runs, ACH and wire payments, positive pay files, payment reports, and timely disbursements.
• Set up and maintain vendor records, obtain required documentation such as Forms W-9, and resolve vendor inquiries and payment discrepancies.
• Review and reconcile corporate credit card transactions, including proper documentation, allocation, and approvals; maintainrelated records in NetSuite and supporting schedules.
• Investigate issues with employee expense reports and purchase order requests and help staff understand applicable accounting procedures.

Cash Receipts, Billing and Collections

• Process and record incoming checks, ACH receipts, wire transfers, lockbox payments, and physical check deposits for multiple entities.
• Apply receipts to the appropriate member accounts and invoices, investigate unidentified or misapplied payments, and follow up as needed to resolve discrepancies
• Support membership dues billing and collections, monitor accounts receivable, issue periodic past-due notices, and document collection activity and member correspondence.
• Respond to member and other payer inquiries about receipts, account balances, and payment status.

Reconciliations and General Ledger

• Prepare monthly bank and merchant account reconciliations, including those for Meat Institute, and Meat Foundation accounts..
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet account reconciliations, accounting schedules, and supporting documentation; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Review general ledger activity, prepare adjusting journal entries. Ensure expenses and receipts are allocated to appropriate accounts, departments, and entities.
• Coordinate with the Senior Accountant and other finance staff to ensure reconciliations are accurate, complete, and timely.

Month-End, Year-End and Audit Support

• Support month-end close activities, including accounts payable accruals, expense cutoffs, intercompany transactions, allocations, and account reconciliations.
• Assist with year-end reporting and tax-related tasks, including preparation of Forms 1099 and 1096.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, transaction support, and responses to information requests for annual financial and other applicable audits.

Systems, Controls and Stakeholder Support

• Maintain complete, organized, secure electronic and paper accounting records in accordance with organizational policies.
• Follow established accounting policies, internal controls, approval requirements, and segregation-of-duties procedures.
• Partner with membership, sponsors, vendors, and internal departments to resolve billing, payment, and collection questions.
• Coordinate with internal and external systems support teams to resolve NetSuite reporting or workflow issues and support appropriate report customization.
• Perform other related accounting duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Approximately 5 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including hands-on general ledger and reconciliation work.
• Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, month-end close, and multi-entity accounting.
• Proficiency with accounting systems (NetSuite preferred), Excel,; experience with AMS Re:Members is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical judgment, organization, discretion, and professional communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines and work collaboratively in a fully on-site environment.