Accountant

For over 40 years, The Training Center has been New Jersey's trusted name in accelerated career training for the skilled trades. We operate nationally recognized programs in HVAC and Boiler Operation with new programs launching in Electrical, Plumbing, and Welding at a new flagship location, including online courses in EPA 608, EPA 609, HFO/A2L, and CPO certifications. Our sister organization, The Training Center Group (DBA Essential Services), services clients by delivering licensed boiler and refrigeration operators statewide, providing ongoing operational and maintenance services to commercial, industrial, and institutional clients.

We are hiring a Senior Accountant to serve as the hands-on financial operator. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will own the day-to-day accounting stack across both entities including transactions, month-end close, financial reporting, compliance filings, and audit readiness, while partnering with leadership on budgets, cash flow, and cost analysis.

This is a full-cycle role with opportunity to grow into controller-level scope, ideal for a seasoned accountant who wants the breadth of a senior seat without being buried inside a corporate hierarchy in a growing company.

Accounts payable and accounts receivable processing across both entities, including vendor setup, invoice coding, approval routing, and payment runs.

Bank and credit card reconciliations, tuition deposit posting, and operator billing reconciliation for field-service contracts.

General ledger maintenance, journal entries, and chart of accounts integrity.

Payroll entries, benefit accruals, and reconciliation of payroll service files (ADP, Paychex, or similar).

Lead the monthly close cycle across both entities, targeting close within 7 business days.

Prepare and post accruals, prepaid amortization, depreciation, and inter-company allocations.

Complete balance sheet account reconciliations with supporting schedules.

Drive year-end close, including fixed asset schedules, deferred revenue, and workpaper preparation for external audit or review.

Produce monthly Profit & Loss statements, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow reports for each entity and consolidated view.

Prepare management reporting packages with variance commentary, program-level profitability (TAP, WELD, VOLT, PIPE, Externship, CPO, EPA), and service operations margin analysis.

Support ad-hoc reporting requests from the CEO, CFO, and program directors.

NJ sales and use tax filings, payroll tax filings, workers' compensation audit support, and state registrations across both entities.

1099 and W-2 year-end preparation and filing.

Coordinate with external CPAs on federal and state corporate tax returns.

Support any grant accounting, including federal DOL workforce grants when applicable.

Prepare annual budgets in partnership with the CFO and department leads (Administration, Instruction, Marketing, Finance, B2B Development, Service Operations).

Maintain rolling 13-week cash flow forecasts across both entities.

Provide cost analysis for program pricing, operator dispatch margin, and capital investment decisions.

Maintain QuickBooks (Online or Desktop) data integrity across both entities.

Document accounting policies and procedures; identify control gaps and implement fixes.

Evaluate and help implement AI and automation tools to reduce routine work (receipt capture, bank feed rules, AP automation, reporting).

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (equivalent professional experience considered).

5 or more years of full-cycle accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead capacity.

Advanced QuickBooks proficiency (Online or Desktop).

Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and basic data modeling.

Hands-on experience with NJ sales tax, payroll tax, and 1099 compliance.

Experience preparing or supporting month-end close and year-end audit or review.

Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort interacting with non-finance leaders.

CPA, CMA, or active candidacy.

Experience with multi-entity accounting and inter-company allocations.

Background in education, trade school, workforce development, or professional services environments.

Experience with payroll platforms such as ADP, Paychex, Gusto, or Rippling.

Working fluency with AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, or Microsoft Copilot for drafting, reporting, and data cleanup.

Grant accounting experience, including federal DOL or state workforce grants.

This role is based onsite at our Branchburg, NJ or Wrightstown, NJ headquarters whichever is closer. This is not a remote position.

Base salary range: $60,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience and credentials. Individuals meeting controller qualifications are eligible to start at higher salary bracket.

Full benefits package, annual performance bonus, paid time off, and a clear path to grow within a 40-year-established and expanding organization. As the company grows, this role has a defined path to Accounting Manager and ultimately Controller for the right performer.