Associate Accountant

Position Overview:

The Associate Accountant – Accounts Payable is responsible for the establishment, enhancement, and on-going support of Fuel Tech’s accounts payable operations, including all vendor payments, expense report processing, controlled disbursement and related activities.  The position interfaces with corporate and regional/international personnel daily, in addition to the various financial institutions that are integral to a comprehensive treasury infrastructure.  This position assists the Senior Manager, Accounting – Corporate Accounting and Financial Reporting in certain responsibilities that will enable the accounting department to operate efficiently. 

Responsibilities:

• Processes vendor invoices from receipt to payment, ensuring accuracy by matching with purchase orders and packing slips, and routing for appropriate approval. 
• Reviews purchase orders for correct charge codes and verifies compliance with approval authority limits.
• Initiates invoice payment procedures, including preparing check runs and electronic payments upon controller approval, and maintaining the daily checkbook balance. 
• Retrieves daily cash statements, updates the check register, and processes transactions through the accounts payable system.
• Interacts with vendors and customers on an as-needed basis.
• Responsible for resolving all discrepancies & vendor reconciliation statements.
• Provide accurate, timely and relevant financial information in compliance with corporate policies and GAAP, including recording month-end journal entries and monthly review and analysis of certain general ledger accounts.
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes, including journal entries, account reconciliations, financial reporting and analysis, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
• Prepares tax statements (1099-MISC) per analysis of reports and IRS guidelines.
• Maintain fixed asset records, including book and tax depreciation schedules, ensure proper recording of new purchases and disposals, calculate gains and losses, and extract fixed asset information for reporting purposes as required.
• Maintains log of Appropriation Requests and prepares report to be included in the quarterly books for the management committee.
• Prepares journal vouchers for miscellaneous cash receipts, expense report accruals and invoice accruals during month end close.
• Reviews and approves employee expense reports in Concur Expense, ensuring timely processing and compliance with the company’s travel policy prior to payment.
• Perform such other accounting, financial, or administrative tasks as may be required from time to time – quite often on short notice. 
• Assist with SOX 404 testing and policy and procedure review.
• Assists with the budget process, monthly financial forecast and cash flow forecasting as needed.
• Review and process sales and use tax returns and maintain tax exempt certificates utilizing Avalara.
• Prepares departmental correspondence and handles additional responsibilities, including related duties and ad hoc projects, as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Basic knowledge of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
• Fluent in Microsoft Office, including MS Excel and MS Word.
• Accurate data entry skills.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Displays a high level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Displays a high level of accountability.  Must have excellent work habits, including a willingness to work the hours necessary to get the job done, especially when important deadlines cause greater than normal departmental pressures.
• Thinks independently and challenges the process respectfully.
• Strong written communication skills required to support occasional administrative tasks within the department.
• Ability to establish solid working relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrates good listening skills and a willingness to promote change management initiatives.

Education and Experience:

• Associate degree in Accounting or Business (required).   Bachelor’s degree a plus.  
• Minimum 5 to 7 five years of general accounting experience.

Physical Requirements: 

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift to 15 pounds at times. 

Travel Requirements:

• Less than 10%.