Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Staff Accountant to join its Finance team.
The Staff Accountant supports the agency’s accounting operations across accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, reconciliations, grants, payroll, pension accounting, and month-end close. Reporting to the Senior Accountant, this position plays an important role in maintaining accurate financial records, effective internal controls, and audit readiness within a public-sector environment.
The ideal candidate has strong accounting fundamentals, experience working in a high-volume accounting environment, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to balance multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
What You’ll Do
- Manage full-cycle accounts payable and accounts receivable activities.
- Process and review high-volume invoices, coding, supporting documentation, and purchase order transactions.
- Perform three-way matching and resolve invoice and purchasing discrepancies.
- Prepare weekly vendor payments and accounts receivable aging reports.
- Prepare journal entries and monthly account reconciliations.
- Support month-end and year-end financial close.
- Maintain accurate and audit-ready accounting records.
- Assist with financial reporting and analysis.
- Support grants accounting, reconciliations, reporting, and funding collections.
- Assist with internal, external, grant, and pension audits.
- Perform assigned payroll functions and provide backup payroll processing support.
- Reconcile payroll deductions, withholdings, deposits, and pension liabilities.
- Prepare payroll and labor cost reports.
- Maintain compliance with internal controls, agency policies, procurement requirements, and applicable accounting standards.
What We’re Looking For
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; OR
- Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field with meaningful, directly relevant accounting experience demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the position.
- Three (3) to five (5) years of relevant accounting experience preferred, including significant accounts payable experience.
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial processes.
- Experience using accounting, payroll, or ERP systems.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
Preferred
- Public-sector or governmental accounting experience.
- Experience with procurement and purchase order systems.
- Experience with month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
- Knowledge of payroll processes and wage requirements.
- Experience supporting financial or compliance audits.
- Experience with Netchex, Tyler/Munis, or comparable systems.
- Grants accounting or reporting experience.