Senior Accountant – General Ledger & Financial Reporting

ARA's Corporate Accounting Department is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant with strong technical accounting expertise, sound professional judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset. This individual will serve as a key resource for revenue recognition under ASC 606, strengthen general ledger accounting processes, and support the modernization of financial statement and management reporting through greater utilization of our ERP and financial planning systems, including Deltek Costpoint and Workday Adaptive Planning.

Our team supports the dedicated employee-owners who make Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) successful. We are committed to delivering accurate, timely financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, and providing exceptional service to a growing organization. We value teamwork, individual and shared accountability, professional development, and a balanced, enjoyable work environment.

• Perform and support revenue recognition activities in accordance with ASC 606, including contract evaluation, revenue reconciliations, and period-end reporting.
• Analyze complex contract arrangements, including multi-element and fixed-price contracts, and document appropriate accounting conclusions.
• Support revenue reporting, variance analysis, contract closeout activities, and revenue adjustments.
• Evaluate existing revenue recognition practices and contribute to the development and documentation of consistent accounting procedures.
• Provide accounting support and technical analysis for unusual or nonroutine transactions.

• Support improvements to financial statement preparation and management reporting through greater use of ERP systems and reporting technologies.
• Develop, maintain, and validate financial reports, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Collaborate with accounting, finance, and systems personnel to improve data accuracy, reporting consistency, and process efficiency.
• Participate in system enhancements, testing, and implementation activities that affect accounting and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes through standardization, improved system functionality, and appropriate automation.
• Support system upgrade testing, enhancements, and business system evaluation or migration activities
• Partner with IT and functional SMEs to improve workflows, resolve system issues, and drive process automation

• Perform and support monthly and annual financial close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement preparation.
• Analyze general ledger activity and financial results, investigate unusual transactions or variances, and recommend appropriate accounting treatment.
• Prepare and review supporting schedules, reconciliations, and financial reporting documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Research technical accounting matters under U.S. GAAP, document conclusions, and support implementation of accounting policies and standards.
• Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies by collaborating with corporate accounting, operational finance, and other business stakeholders.

• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities, proactively identify issues, and drive them toward timely resolution.
• Manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting critical deadlines.
• Communicate accounting findings and recommendations clearly to both financial and nonfinancial stakeholders.
• Collaborate with team members and business partners to strengthen accounting processes and knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, sound professional judgment, and a…