Description

STAFF ACCOUNTANT – FISHING CREW PAYROLL

Job Details

Job Type

Full-time

Seattle, WA

Description

Company Background 

Bristol Wave Seafoods, LLC currently operates seven catcher processor vessels using longline gear (hooks and pots), primarily in the Bering Sea, and has been in business for over thirty years. BWS sells its harvest, primarily pacific cod, black cod (sablefish) and greenland turbot, on a worldwide basis. We are the largest freezer longline company in the United States resulting from the 2019 merger of Clipper Seafoods and Blue North Fisheries.

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant reports to the Controller and has responsibility for the accuracy of compensation paid to our fishing crew and other employees (weekly and biweekly). This position supports the accounting department in a variety of roles and serves as the primary (or backup) manager of fishing crew profit sharing calculations, monitoring and collection of employee cash advances, and accounting for shipyard labor costs.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares or reviews crew share calculations including estimates paid after each fishing trip and final settlements.
• Processes weekly payroll to fishing crew and ensures distribution of payroll checks and supporting calculations.
• Processes biweekly payroll for Seattle office employees.
• Prepares cost accounting journal entries for payroll expenses and taxes.
• Assists the controller in monitoring payroll compliance.
• Provides support to headquarters employees as requested; able to roll up sleeves and pitch in wherever needed. 

Requirements

Knowledge and Skills

• Possesses basic understanding of accounting principles.
• Strong computer skills including use of Excel and ability to learn payroll (Paylocity) software modules.
• Able to grasp nuances of profit sharing calculations for fishing crew.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or business related field preferred 
• Minimum of two years previous experience in a similar accounting or administrative role.

Personal Attributes

• Positive, can-do attitude.
• Detail-oriented and accurate; able to check own work for errors.
• Comfortable working with numbers.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Dedication to meeting due dates for work on a daily/weekly basis
• Trustworthy; able to keep confidential information confidential

Compensation and Benefits

• Exempt; Salaried.
• PTO: 15 days annually to start, increasing to 20 days at six years.
• Medical insurance subsidized by employer contributions
• Sec. 125 medical/child care reimbursement plan

Working Environment

Bristol Wave Seafoods runs a small, dynamic home office with 20 employees, and sometimes a dog or two. Our fishing crews work around the clock, every day, during the fishing seasons. Our office is normally open from 8AM to 5PM on weekdays. However, our staff supports the crew by working as needed to process crew compensation, sell the products they harvest, and pay bills to keep our vessels operating. We recognize that without the successful efforts of our fishing crews and support for maintenance and operation of our vessels, that we would have no business. As a result, our office environment is casual, sometimes chaotic, every now and then a bit slow, but always responsive to the needs of our operations.

Requirements