What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant position at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes?
The Accountant is a hands‑on accounting role responsible for daily transactional accounting, monthly close activities, and a significant volume of balance sheet and bank reconciliations across the organization. The role is designed for an experienced, operational accountant who is detail‑oriented and trainable in organization‑specific processes, with a preference for experience in retail and/or manufacturing accounting environments. The position records daily cash activity and prepares and posts recurring and non‑routine journal entries in support of timely and accurate financial reporting.
Strong Excel skills are essential, as the role relies heavily on spreadsheets for reconciliations, journal entry support, and recurring reporting.
This position is hybrid, with an expectation of being in the Rochester office approximately three days per week to support daily cash activity, mail processing, and team collaboration.
Always upholds and exemplifies Goodwill BLUE values.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Daily Cash & Transaction Processing – 25%
- Record and post daily cash receipts, bank activity, and related transactions in the accounting system (Business Central)
- Prepare and post daily cash journal entries
- Assist with opening mail and preparing deposits, on a rotating basis with other Finance team members, to support segregation of duties
- Investigate and resolve cash‑related discrepancies in a timely manner and escalate issues as appropriate
- Maintain strict confidentiality over all financial and personal information
Bank, Cash, and Balance Sheet Reconciliations – 30%
- Perform monthly bank reconciliations for all bank accounts including operating, payroll, retails, and benefit accounts
- Reconcile cash, debt, prepaid expenses, accruals, intercompany balances, and other assigned balance sheet accounts
- Investigate and resolve reconciling items promptly; ensure balances are accurate and supported
- Maintain clear reconciliation documentation for audit and internal review
Journal Entries & Monthly Close – 25%
- Prepare and post recurring and non‑routine journal entries, including:
- Bi‑weekly payroll journal entries
- Fringe benefit allocations
- Prepare and post standard month‑end journal entries and accruals in support of timely and accurate financial reporting
- Support payroll‑related accounting and benefit reconciliations
- Assist with month‑end close schedules, checklists, and timelines
- Ensure journal entry support and close documentation are complete and properly retained
Reporting, Compliance, and Audit Support – 10%
- Prepare assigned recurring internal financial reports on a timely basis
- Support sales tax filings and related reconciliations, as assigned
- Assist with audit schedules, requests, and supporting documentation
Cross‑Training and Backup Support, and Process Improvement – 10%
- Maintain strict confidentiality over all financial and personal information handled in the course of daily processing
- Participate in cross training to ensure continuity and coverage
- Become proficient in Business Central ERP and other systems utilized in the organization to support team members with accounting and technical questions
- Identify, assess, and recommend process improvements related to accuracy, efficiency, automation, and documentation, and participate in the implementation of approved improvements.
- Contributes to the overall effectiveness of the organization and department by completing all other duties, as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to demonstrate proficiency in meeting competencies required for position; able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and progressive accounting experience.
3–5 years of general accounting experience with demonstrated responsibility for cash processing, reconciliations, journal entries, and month‑end close activities
Experience in retail and/or manufacturing accounting environments preferred.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Able to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Communicates effectively with groups of managers, customers, and the general public.
REASONING ABILITY:
Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables simultaneously.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time and to work extensively with computers. The employee must be able to communicate effectively. The employee needs to have reasonable mobility.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Strong interpersonal skills, with a “can-do” attitude and ability to work well within a team environment
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Strong Excel skills, including use of formulas, pivot tables, and reconciliations, with the ability to analyze and organize large data sets. Experience with Microsoft Office products and Business Central ERP preferred.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS:
Excellent organizational skills. Self-starter with strong accounting skills and knowledge. Attention to detail with ability to recommend process improvements that would add value to the organization.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary : $65,000 - $67,000