Staff Accountant

Payne Nickles & Company | Sandusky or Norwalk, Ohio

At Payne Nickles & Company, you’ll help business owners understand their financial results, navigate tax decisions, and plan their next steps. You’ll work directly with clients, learn from experienced colleagues, and build the judgment to take on greater responsibility as you grow.

We’re an established regional CPA and business advisory firm serving small and midsize organizations across a wide range of industries. This position is available in either our Sandusky or Norwalk office.

What you’ll do

Your work will span tax, financial reporting, and ongoing accounting support, with opportunities to contribute to specialized projects as your skills develop.

• Prepare individual and business tax returns and assist with tax projections, planning, and research.
• Turn accounting records into useful financial information by preparing financial statements, supporting schedules, and adjusting journal entries.
• Support clients’ ongoing accounting needs, including bookkeeping, account reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close activities.
• Work directly with clients to gather information, resolve questions, and explain accounting and tax matters clearly.
• Investigate discrepancies and identify issues that need additional research or review.
• Prepare clear, organized workpapers that support your work and make the review process efficient.
• Manage assigned work across multiple engagements, communicate progress, and flag missing information or deadline concerns early.
• Contribute to specialized engagements, which may include business consulting and valuation, estate and trust planning, and forensic accounting.
• Help improve how we work by sharing ideas and learning to use technology effectively.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who asks thoughtful questions, follows through, and wants to understand the “why” behind the work. You should be comfortable working independently while recognizing when to seek input or raise an issue.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.
• One to three years of public accounting experience.
• CPA designation or interest in pursuing the CPA, with eligibility preferred.
• A foundation in accounting principles and tax preparation.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work professionally with clients.
• The ability to organize competing priorities and produce accurate, timely work.
• Comfort learning new technology. Experience with QuickBooks and Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS is a plus.

Room to build your career

You’ll have access to professional development resources, experienced colleagues, and a variety of client engagements to help you expand your skills. As you demonstrate readiness, you’ll take on more ownership of client work and increasingly complex assignments.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $58,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Work from home

Experience:

• Accounting: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Norwalk, OH (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $58,000