Staff Accountant

Summary 

The Staff Accountant handles payroll processing, cash reconciliations, and various financial close responsibilities for the company.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prepare monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, and various other accounting statements and reports. Areas of focus include cash, fixed assets, content development costs, payroll related accruals, and notes payable.
• Process bi-weekly payroll using UKG and make appropriate entries into Microsoft Dynamics AX.
• Process semi-monthly professor payments using UKG, as well as bi-annual royalty payments.
• Assist managers and employees as necessary with payroll questions and issues.
• Perform daily cash reconciliations.
• Prepare bi-weekly 401K data and upload to Fidelity.
• Calculate and upload data related to payroll withholdings such as HSA and FSA.
• Manage relationship with third parties related to payroll (UKG, Optum, WEX, Fidelity).
• Research payroll related changes such as new states and new payroll laws.
• Manage application process for payroll taxes in new states.
• Assist with financial statement and 401K audits, as well as Fidelity discrimination testing.
• Manage the process for independent contractor’s proof of insurance.

This position will work closely with other finance and accounting associates as well employees in other departments.  External key interactions will be with external auditors, third party payroll processor, tax authorities and bankers.

Competencies

• Adaptability/Flexibility – Adapts to change, is open to new ideas, takes on new responsibilities, handles pressure, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.

• Attention to detail – Taking responsibility for a thorough and detailed method of working.
• Planning - Setting priorities and defining actions, time, and resources needed to achieve predefined goals.
• Quality - Setting high standards regarding his/her work and working environment and acting accordingly; developing quality standards, continuously evaluating performance, products, and procedures; actively seeking ways to improve quality.
• Our Fundamentals - Curious, Courageous, Accountable, Inclusive, Innovative, Honorable, Passionate, Respectful  

Required Education/Experience/Skills

• Accounting degree or accounting related experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong systems experience and/or desire to leverage systems to drive process improvements
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to communicate effectively with peers, cross functional teams, and senior management
• Can organize, summarize, clarify, and communicate ideas simply, succinctly and accurately
• Can multi-task
• Highly organized and strong attention to detail

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• 3 years of relevant experience in Accounting

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid role, a combination of remote and on-site work as requested by management.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements of this position are described as sedentary work.  Sedentary work involves:

• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects
• Sitting most of the time
• Walking and standing are required only occasionally

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

The Great Courses provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without 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.