Senior Accountant – General Ledger & Financial Reporting

ARA's Corporate Accounting Department is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant with strong technical accounting expertise, sound professional judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset. This individual will serve as a key resource for revenue recognition under ASC 606, strengthen general ledger accounting processes, and support the modernization of financial statement and management reporting through greater utilization of our ERP and financial planning systems, including Deltek Costpoint and Workday Adaptive Planning.

Our team supports the dedicated employee-owners who make Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) successful. We are committed to delivering accurate, timely financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, and providing exceptional service to a growing organization. We value teamwork, individual and shared accountability, professional development, and a balanced, enjoyable work environment.

What you’ll do as ARA’s Senior Accountant

ASC 606 Revenue Recognition

• Perform and support revenue recognition activities in accordance with ASC 606, including contract evaluation, revenue reconciliations, and period-end reporting.

• Analyze complex contract arrangements, including multi-element and fixed-price contracts, and document appropriate accounting conclusions.

• Support revenue reporting, variance analysis, contract closeout activities, and revenue adjustments.

• Evaluate existing revenue recognition practices and contribute to the development and documentation of consistent accounting procedures.

• Provide accounting support and technical analysis for unusual or nonroutine transactions.

Financial Statement Modernization

• Support improvements to financial statement preparation and management reporting through greater use of ERP systems and reporting technologies.

• Develop, maintain, and validate financial reports, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.

• Collaborate with accounting, finance, and systems personnel to improve data accuracy, reporting consistency, and process efficiency.

• Participate in system enhancements, testing, and implementation activities that affect accounting and reporting.

• Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes through standardization, improved system functionality, and appropriate automation.

• Support system upgrade testing, enhancements, and business system evaluation or migration activities
• Partner with IT and functional SMEs to improve workflows, resolve system issues, and drive process automation

General Ledger & Financial Accounting

• Perform and support monthly and annual financial close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement preparation.

• Analyze general ledger activity and financial results, investigate unusual transactions or variances, and recommend appropriate accounting treatment.

• Prepare and review supporting schedules, reconciliations, and financial reporting documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness.

• Research technical accounting matters under U.S. GAAP, document conclusions, and support implementation of accounting policies and standards.

• Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies by collaborating with corporate accounting, operational finance, and other business stakeholders.

Operational Efficiency

• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities, proactively identify issues, and drive them toward timely resolution.

• Manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting critical deadlines.

• Communicate accounting findings and recommendations clearly to both financial and nonfinancial stakeholders.

• Collaborate with team members and business partners to strengthen accounting processes and knowledge sharing.

• Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, sound professional judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Audit, Controls & Compliance Support

• Maintain accurate accounting records, supporting documentation, and effective internal controls.

• Prepare audit schedules and respond to financial statement, internal, and government audit inquiries.

• Research accounting questions, reconcile discrepancies, and provide timely, well-documented responses.

• Support compliance with applicable accounting standards, company policies, and government contracting requirements.

• Identify potential accounting or control risks and recommend practical improvements.

Senior Accountant Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field and at least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and demonstrated experience applying accounting principles to business transactions.

• Demonstrated experience applying revenue recognition principles, including ASC 606, and the ability to research, document, and communicate accounting conclusions.

• Experience performing month-end close activities, preparing general ledger reconciliations, and supporting financial statement preparation.

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies and develop supported accounting conclusions.

• Experience working with financial information from enterprise accounting or ERP systems.

• Advanced Excel proficiency, including the ability to analyze large data sets, reconcile information, and develop financial schedules.

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex accounting assignments, exercise sound professional judgment, proactively resolve issues, and deliver accurate results within established deadlines.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain accounting issues and recommendations effectively.

• Commitment to professional integrity, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Senior Accountant Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA or CMA certification, or demonstrated progress toward certification.

• Experience researching and applying complex technical accounting standards, including ASC 842.

• Experience in government contracting or project-based accounting environments, including exposure to FAR, CAS, or DCAA requirements.

• Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Workday Adaptive Planning, Oracle, or comparable enterprise systems.

• Experience preparing financial statements and management reports using ERP-generated data.

• Experience supporting external financial statement audits, internal audits, or government compliance reviews.

• Demonstrated experience improving accounting processes through system enhancements, reporting technologies, or automation.

Company & Division Information

The ARA Corporate office prides itself on providing excellent customer service and accounting services to a growing and ever-changing organization. We strive to be flexible while ensuring that we comply with government, state, and contract regulations and requirements.  We partner with our employees to help them in turn provide exceptional customer service for our customers.

Applied Research Associates (ARA)is a 100% employee-owned technology solutions company with more than 2,300 employee-owners across the United States and Canada. Our dedicated team brings deep technical expertise and a passion for solving complex challenges – creating innovative solutions that protect our safety, security, and way of life. At ARA, every project is an opportunity to exceed expectations. We deliver solutions that not only meet mission objectives but unlock new possibilities for the future. 

Hybrid Work Notice: This position offers a primarily office-based hybrid work arrangement, with an emphasis on in-person collaboration and engagement with the Corporate Accounting team. Candidates must be local to either Albuquerque, NM, or Raleigh, NC.