What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant position at Fraunhofer USA Inc.?
Accountant
Fulltime Position
Fraunhofer USA, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit research and development organization that provides contract research and development for government and industry customers.
The Headquarters Office of Fraunhofer USA, Inc. seeks to fill the position of Accountant. This position will report to the Controller. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of accounting principles, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to lead the Accounts Payable function.
We are currently located in Plymouth, MI, but will be moving to East Lansing, MI in the fall of 2026. The position will be hybrid, reporting to the Plymouth office initially, then report to the East Lansing location after the move.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Manage the Accounts Payable function, including timely and accurate processing of vendor invoices, and prepare AP-related reports and annual 1099s
Review and approve check runs; prepare ACH and wire transfers
Review cash availability to ensure liabilities can be met
Vendor Maintenance: maintain the vendor database including monitoring for compliance such as debarment and business classification, and set up in the ERP system
Manage Fixed Assets: set up and dispose of fixed assets in the ERP system, process monthly depreciation, oversee and coordinate the annual inventory, and prepare annual Personal Property Tax Returns
Reconcile, document, and analyze assigned balance sheet accounts to identify and resolve discrepancies, ensuring reliable month-end and year-end closings
Respond to financial inquiries, both internally and externally
Assist in the preparation of semi-annual forecasts by analyzing indirect costs against budget and communicating with center leadership to incorporate upcoming activities and strategic plans
Assist in the preparation of annual budgets by analyzing prior-year indirect costs and collaborating with center leadership to align with upcoming activities and strategic plans
Support month-end and year-end close as part of the accounting team, ensuring deadlines are met and necessary reconciliations and adjustments are completed
Create and provide audit schedules for areas of responsibility and supply requested data to auditors
Cross train within the department to provide coverage and strengthen team capabilities
Other Duties:
Assists Treasurer, Controller and other HQ Departments as needed
Review and confirm business processes are followed under the established rules and regulations of the corporation
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
3+ years of accounting experience, including responsibilities in accounts payable, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and accounts payable best practices; experience with government contracting a plus
Experience working with ERP Systems, SharePoint and Microsoft Office; knowledge of Deltek Costpoint a plus
Excellent analytical skills, strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple job tasks with competing deadlines
Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced, collaborative, and deadline-oriented environment
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively within the organization
Ability to work independently under the guidance of the Controller and Treasurer along with other team members within the department
Competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Generous vacation package in addition to 3 personal days and 11 holidays
Health and Dental insurance
Life insurance
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance
401a employer contribution and 403b employee contribution plans
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Hybrid work schedule after sufficient completion of training
Fraunhofer USA is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other classification protected by applicable laws.
Contact
Human Resources
Fraunhofer USA
44792 Helm Street
Plymouth MI 48170, 48170 USA
Phone +1 734-354-9700