Staff Accountant

Job Title: Staff Accountant Job Description
The Staff Accountant serves as an experienced individual contributor within Accounting Operations, working with minimal supervision to own and manage key workstreams, projects, and end-to-end accounting processes. This role focuses on accurate execution of accounting activities, resolving complex issues through analysis and experience, and influencing operational practices to improve outcomes. The Staff Accountant partners closely with internal and external stakeholders, contributes directly to department results, and supports a culture of continuous improvement by sharing expertise and best practices.
Responsibilities
- Work independently with minimal supervision by taking full ownership of assigned tasks, priorities, and deliverables, setting clear goals, and executing plans to achieve them.
- Own entire accounting projects or processes within the job area, including developing project plans, setting milestones, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely, successful completion.
- Perform core accounting operations such as general ledger activities, journal entries, cash reconciliations, and cash flow analysis to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Drive accurate execution of accounting processes and ensure compliance with internal policies and established procedures.
- Resolve complex and multifaceted accounting issues by gathering relevant information, analyzing root causes and interdependencies, and applying critical thinking to develop effective solutions.
- Conduct in-depth financial and operational analysis using prior experience and scenario-based evaluation to assess impacts and determine the best course of action.
- Provide guidance, coaching, and training to peers and junior colleagues by sharing expertise, best practices, and standard work, while remaining in an individual contributor capacity.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders inside and outside the accounting function, including external customers, vendors, or other partners, sharing updates clearly and resolving inquiries professionally.
- Influence operational practices and procedures by presenting recommendations, promoting effective approaches, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to align processes and standards.
- Contribute directly to department results by collaborating across teams, aligning efforts with stakeholders, and sharing knowledge and best practices to enhance overall performance.
- Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of process improvements, including the use of measures and KPIs to track effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
- Maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders while representing the accounting function in a professional and solutions-oriented manner.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in accounting or a related field.
- 5+ years of professional experience in accounting or finance.
- Demonstrated experience in accounting operations or finance operations, or a similar transaction-processing environment, with the ability to operate independently and deliver results with minimal supervision.
- Proven ability to own and manage end-to-end processes or projects, including planning, setting milestones, monitoring progress, and ensuring successful delivery.
- Hands-on experience with general ledger activities, including preparation and review of journal entries.
- Experience performing cash reconciliations and cash flow analysis.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to handle issues that span multiple stakeholders or functions.
- Effective communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey information and updates to internal and external stakeholders as applicable.
- Strong stakeholder partnering skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and maintain positive working relationships.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and manage deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience developing and implementing process improvements within accounting or finance operations.
- Experience monitoring the effectiveness of process improvements using measures and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Experience training, coaching, or mentoring peers or junior colleagues in best practices and standard work.
- Demonstrated ability to influence operational practices and contribute to standardization and alignment across functions.
- Comfort working in a hybrid environment that combines in-office collaboration with independent work.
Work Environment
This role operates in a professional office setting with a hybrid work model. The initial 4 to 8 weeks of training take place fully in the office to build a strong knowledge base and ensure familiarity with accounting processes, systems, and team practices. As knowledge and proficiency increase, in-office days are reduced and the schedule transitions to a hybrid arrangement. The team works together in the office every Tuesday and every other Monday, with a typical hybrid cadence of one in-office day one week and two in-office days the next week, averaging approximately six in-office days per month. Standard work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. The environment emphasizes collaboration, clear communication, and shared accountability for results, while also supporting independent work and ownership of processes.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Urbandale, IA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $35.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Urbandale, IA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Urbandale,IA.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.