Accountant / Business Systems

Job description

Accountant / Business Systems Professional

HouseSpecial is a dynamic studio of creative storytellers, working across all animation mediums and live action. We are looking for a hands-on Accountant / Business Systems professional to serve as the primary day-to-day owner of the Studio's accounting function. This person will be responsible for full-cycle bookkeeping, business and production-based accounting services, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, bi-weekly payroll processing, monthly close, journal entries, job costing, account reconciliations, accruals, revenue recognition and financial statements. In addition, this role will help improve and build the systems that support our accounting and business operations, with a strong emphasis on AI, automation and efficient data workflows.

We welcome both experienced accountants and earlier-career candidates who have strong accounting fundamentals, exceptional technical aptitude and the curiosity to learn quickly. The successful candidate will be comfortable owning core accounting responsibilities while also looking for smarter ways to connect systems, automate repetitive work and improve the accuracy and usefulness of our financial information.

We are intentionally flexible on years of experience. An experienced full-charge accountant would be a strong fit, but an earlier-career accountant with excellent accounting fundamentals, strong technical skills and demonstrated ability to learn systems quickly is encouraged to apply.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Accounts Payable

Code and enter invoices and ensure costs are properly assigned to projects and general ledger accounts

Maintain vendor information, including W-9 forms and independent contractor agreements

Prepare 1099s and related year-end vendor reporting

Generate and process vendor payments on a bi-weekly basis, including rush payments as needed

Maintain organized records of invoices paid and supporting documentation

Manage sales commissions for outside sales representatives

Reconcile vendor statements and research and resolve discrepancies

Accounts Receivable

Prepare client invoices based on project billing schedules and production information

Record and apply client payments

Contact clients regarding outstanding receivables

Reconcile accounts receivable balances and resolve discrepancies

Coordinate with production and management to ensure project billings are accurate and timely

General Ledger, Close & Reconciliations

Prepare journal entries, including payroll and timecard data, in the accounting system

Perform monthly analysis and reconciliation of the trial balance with journal entries as appropriate

Reconcile bank, credit card, payroll and other balance sheet accounts

Maintain accruals, prepaid expenses and other supporting schedules

Assist with month-end and year-end close

Research and resolve accounting discrepancies and maintain clear supporting documentation

Job Costing & Production Accounting

Maintain accurate job costing for all active productions and projects

Ensure employee labor, freelance, vendor and other production expenses are accurately allocated to projects

Prepare bi-weekly percentage-of-completion analysis for ongoing projects, including earned revenue and backlog analysis

Distribute job production expense information to the production management team

Assist with labor analysis and allocation of costs

Support Producers with project actualization

Work with production teams to identify cost discrepancies and provide clear visibility into project financial performance

Payroll & Employee Systems

Process bi-weekly payroll using ADP Workforce Now

Review employee timecards, payroll changes, deductions and adjustments for accuracy

Reconcile payroll reports to the general ledger and job-costing records

Coordinate payroll information with production accounting and labor allocation

Support benefits processing and employee data administration

Maintain accurate payroll and employee records while protecting confidential information

Experience with BambooHR or a similar HRIS is a plus

Support 401(k) benefits processing

General Accounting Duties

Includes but is not limited to:

Prepare monthly financial statements and supporting reports for management and external CPA

Assist in annual OpEx and CapEx budgeting

Perform weekly cash-flow analysis, forecasting and project actualization reporting

Disburse and reconcile petty cash

Coordinate with outside CPA, tax professionals and other business partners as needed

Maintain organized accounting records and help strengthen internal controls and accounting procedures

AI, Automation & Business Systems

Identify repetitive accounting and administrative processes that can be simplified or automated

Use AI tools responsibly to improve accounting workflows, reconciliation, reporting, data analysis and documentation

Help design and maintain integrations between accounting, payroll, HR, production and other business systems

Build or improve automated workflows for data entry, validation, reporting and reconciliation

Use advanced spreadsheets, low-code/no-code tools, APIs, scripting or database tools where appropriate to improve business processes

Help create reliable financial and operational reporting with a goal of reducing duplicate data entry and establishing consistent sources of truth

Evaluate new AI, accounting and business-system technologies and recommend practical improvements

Document workflows and ensure automated processes maintain appropriate financial controls, data security and confidentiality

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED. Two-year associate degree or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or a related field is a plus.

Demonstrated experience and strong working knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger accounting, job costing and account reconciliations

Solid understanding of fundamental accounting principles and the ability to independently research and resolve discrepancies

Strong Excel skills and confidence working with computerized accounting and business systems

Strong technical aptitude and demonstrated interest in AI, automation and improving business processes

Communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with all levels within the organization

Is a self-starter who can prioritize work and take ownership of recurring accounting responsibilities

Thrives in a collaborative, team-player environment

Customer-service and detail oriented

Ability to meet deadlines and multi-task in a fast-paced environment

Ability to maintain confidential financial and employee information

Preferred Qualifications

Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Experience with project-based accounting, job costing or production accounting

Xero Software experience

ADP Workforce Now payroll experience

BambooHR or similar HRIS experience

Experience with AI tools, workflow automation, advanced Excel, APIs, low-code/no-code platforms, scripting or database tools

Experience in animation, production, advertising, creative services or another project-based business environment

Interpersonal Contacts

This position regularly comes into contact with vendors, clients, employee candidates, consultants, independent contractors, production management and all staff at the Studio. The position also works with outside accounting and business partners. Strong communication skills, professionalism and discretion are required.

Supervisory Responsibility

None are required for this position.

Job Conditions

The job conditions for this position are that of an office environment. Must be able to bend and stoop with ease, sit for long periods of time, and do light lifting not to exceed 30 pounds. Some overtime may be required from time to time in order to meet payroll, month-end, year-end or other accounting deadlines.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended nor should they be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this position. Other duties/responsibilities may be assigned to the position as needed.

Worksite address

portland, OR, 97204, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.