What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Staff Accountant position at Rice Fergus Miller?
About Us
For over 35 years, Rice Fergus Miller has committed its practice to performing meaningful projects – ones that build and strengthen community. We thrive on creative collaborations on our projects and pride ourselves on the many long-term relationships we hold with our clients.
Our 55 person firm is located within a LEED Platinum, re-imagined warehouse a block from the waterfront in Bremerton, west of Seattle. We take work and sustainability seriously, while valuing a balanced work/home life – as demonstrated by our B Corp certification and being named as one of Washington’s Best Places to Work.
Senior Staff Accountant
We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and highly organized Senior Staff Accountant to join our finance team. The Senior Staff Accountant is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Company's financial records, leading complex accounting activities, preparing financial reports, overseeing reconciliations, supporting the monthly and annual close processes, and ensuring compliance with GAAP and internal controls. This is a hands-on role providing technical accounting expertise, mentoring junior staff, and partnering with project managers and practice leadership. Previous experience in project accounting for a professional services business is essential (preference for accounting experience in Architecture, Interior Design, Construction, or Engineering).
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, review, and maintain accurate financial records and reports.
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities.
- Prepare and review complex journal entries and maintain the general ledger.
- Perform and review bank, balance sheet, and general ledger reconciliations.
- Analyze financial results and investigate variances.
- Partner with project accountant on monthly client billings and resolve complex billing inquiries.
- Oversee payroll processing
- Banking and credit card account management
- Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable activities.
- Assist with budgets, forecasts, and financial projections.
- Prepare and file sales and use tax returns.
- Coordinate internal and external audits.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and regulations.
- Recommend process improvements and strengthen internal controls.
- Assist with ERP enhancements and testing.
- Mentor staff accountants and other accounting personnel.
- Collaborate with leadership on financial analysis.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience.
- Minimum of 3 years in a staff accountant or similar position.
- CPA or progress toward CPA preferred.
- Experience with month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and audits.
Skills
- Strong GAAP knowledge.
- Advanced Excel skills.
- ERP experience (Ajera, BQE, Paycom).
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- CPA preferred.
- Experience improving accounting processes and internal controls.
Working Conditions
Office/Hybrid work environment. Additional hours may be required during month-end, year-end, or audit periods.
Compensation and Benefits
We know our people are our greatest investment. RFM offers competitive compensation, flexible work arrangements, comprehensive benefits, professional development support, and opportunities to build a long-term career.
- Salary range: $85,000-$105,000 annually DOE
- Vacation Pay of 2 to 4 weeks per year, depending on years in career
- Sick Leave of 80 hours per year
- Parental Leave of 4 weeks, after one year of employment
- Nine Paid Holidays
- Eight hours of Paid Volunteer Time
- Health Insurance: Medical, Dental and Vision with RFM paying 99% of the employee's premium
- Cafeteria Plan: Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Account, Transportation Account
- Lifestyle Spending Account allowance of $500 per year for remote work and wellness-related expenses
- Long Term Disability Insurance paid by RFM
- Employee Assistance Program paid by RFM
- 401(k) Plan with match of up to 4%
- Voluntary Life Insurance
- Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
- Voluntary Aflac policies
- Voluntary Legal and ID Protection plans
Note: Benefits are current as of the date of this posting and can change without notice.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Rice Fergus Miller provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type in regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and honor our employees’ differences
Salary : $85,000 - $105,000