Staff Accountant

Description

At Northern Tool + Equipment we get up every day to serve the tradespeople who keep our country running strong and the weekend warriors who want to work like them. It’s our mission to make sure they have the right tools for the job, and an easy, hassle‑free experience at our store so they can get in, get out and get on with the job r top priority as a Staff Accountant is to maintain accurate accounting records for routine transactions and assist in the preparation of timely and reliable financial and operating reports.

This includes preparing trial balances, journal entries, adjustments, closing entries, and substantive account reconciliations. The role also supports analysis and interpretation of accounting data for management decision‑making. Your positive, professional, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves‑to‑help attitude contributes to our winning culture and makes sure we leave a lasting impression.

Maintain general ledger accounts within assigned areas of responsibility. Prepare monthly journal entries in accordance with the established close calendar. Primary areas of focus include, but are not limited to, advertising, prepaid expenses, corporate Pcard accounting, and monthly accounts payable balances and accruals.

Perform timely and accurate balance sheet account reconciliations using various reconciliation tools and systems, including Trin Tech Cadency, Microsoft Dynamics D365, JD Edwards, and Microsoft Excel. Reconcile balances to subledger activity and/or appropriate supporting documentation. Utilize strong Excel skills, formatting standards, and automation techniques to efficiently reconcile high‑volume transactional data. Investigate and resolve reconciling items, perform root‑cause analysis of discrepancies, and execute corrective actions.

Proactively communicate reconciliation issues or concerns to reviewers and management.

Partner professionally with global, cross‑functional teams to interpret, process, analyze, reconcile, and report on accounting and financial areas of ownership.

Act as a backup and support the global accounting team by assisting with staff accountant responsibilities, including fixed assets and capital projects, payroll and benefit accruals, corporate cash accounting, and daily banking activities, as needed.

Review account activity and postings throughout the month‑end close process to ensure accuracy, completeness, and reasonableness of balance sheet and income statement accounts. Stay prepared throughout the month to streamline tight close calendar deadlines.

Complete assigned monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities within established deadlines. Leverage the Trin Tech Close module to track and maintain compliance with close requirements.

Prepare monthly profit and loss variance analyses comparing actual results to budget. Complete substantive general ledger reconciliations, roll‑forward schedules, and other supporting analyses in formats designated by Finance management.

Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to accounting procedures, processes, and reporting that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control. Promote automation and reduce manual data entry where possible.

Annually review relevant accounting memos and assess the impact of accounting methodology changes. Discuss proposed changes and recommendations with management.

Support external audits by preparing assigned work papers and responding to auditor inquiries related to accounting policies, procedures, and reconciliations.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• 0–3 years of progressive accounting experience; retail industry experience a plus.

• Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), substantive balance sheet account reconciliations, and financial statement…