Accountant I

About EMA

EMA is an employee-focused engineering firm specializing in electromagnetic simulation, testing, and consulting for the aerospace and defense industries. We’re a tight-knit team of about 80 people solving genuinely hard technical problems for demanding customers. Our accounting function is small, fast-moving, and central to how the business runs, so the person in this role has real visibility and real impact from day one.

The Role

We’re looking for an accountant early in their career who wants to own their work, not just check boxes. You’ll learn and then run the recurring, detail-heavy accounting tasks that keep the company running smoothly, and you’ll support our VPs of Finance and Accounting on higher-level projects. Extensive experience isn’t necessary. What matters more is that you’re careful, curious, and willing to dig in.

We’re looking for someone who wants to grow with the company. You’ll start with the core accounting work and take on more responsibility as you learn our systems and processes. We have an open culture where questions and feedback are encouraged, so as you get comfortable, your ideas for doing things better will be welcome. This isn’t a role where you wait to be told what to do. We want someone who spots the thing that’s off before anyone asks and follows through without being chased.

What You’ll Do

Day-to-day accounting

• Process accounts payable and accounts receivable, including invoicing, collections follow-up, and vendor payments
• Help perform monthly bank, credit card, and general ledger account reconciliations
• Help prepare and post journal entries and maintain supporting schedules
• Support month-end and year-end close
• Help track fixed assets, prepaids, and accruals
• Process employee expense reports and mileage reimbursements against company policy

Payroll and timekeeping support

• Assist with payroll processing and related reconciliations
• Help review timesheets for accuracy and proper job/cost coding
• Support 401(k) and benefits-related reconciliations

Support to the VPs of Finance and Accounting

• Assist with financial reporting, budgeting, and variance analysis
• Pull data and build schedules for management, audits, and reviews
• Support job costing, contract billing, and cost tracking on government and commercial projects
• Assist with state tax filings and multi-state compliance (sales/use, payroll, and business registrations)
• Help prepare for external audits and respond to requests
• Take on ad hoc analysis and special projects, and see them through to completion as you build experience

Process improvement

• Keep records organized and audit-ready
• Document procedures and build checklists and templates as you learn them
• Use AI-assisted tools and other available technology to work more efficiently, within company-approved systems

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Entry-level or limited accounting experience required; internships and relevant coursework are a plus
• Comfort using AI tools and learning new software quickly
• Solid grasp of accounting fundamentals: debits and credits, accruals, and how the financial statements connect
• Strong attention to detail and a habit of double-checking your work
• Solid Excel skills
• Clear, professional communicator who can work directly with senior leadership
• Ownership mentality: once you’ve learned a process, you can run it independently and know when to escalate

Nice to Have

• Experience automating or streamlining work with tools such as Excel formulas, Power Query, macros, or AI-assisted software
• Exposure to QuickBooks, ADP, or similar accounting and payroll systems
• Interest in government contracting, job costing, or DCAA-compliant accounting
• Progress toward a CPA, or interest in pursuing one

Why EMA

• Direct mentorship from senior finance and accounting leadership
• Room to improve how we do things, not just follow the existing playbook
• Real ownership and room to grow well beyond the job description
• A small, collaborative team where your work is visible and valued
• Competitive compensation and benefits

All employees of EMA must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State in order to conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Learn more about the ITAR here: https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc\_public.

EMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we are committed to building a team that reflects a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. EMA determines employment on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.