Our Core Values
Our core values define who we are as an organization and serve as the foundation
of our code of ethics. Arbor Research expects all employees to embody and
demonstrate in our day-to-day work.
Collaborative Spirit: We expect each staff member to learn from and teach one
another and ask each to exhibit curiosity and respect for the contributions
of others.
Creativity: We strive to cultivate a challenging, stimulating, and supportive
environment where our employees are expected to be inquisitive, take the
initiative, and demonstrate ingenuity.
Credibility: Our employees are smart, thoughtful, and objective in their
work. We expect them to be technically solid in their area of expertise and
for those researching to demonstrate scientific rigor.
Dedication: Our team achieves success because of our dedication to carrying
out high-quality work and delivering trusted results.
Position Summary
The Staff Accountant is responsible for supporting the organization’s general
ledger accounting, month-end close, financial reporting, and accounts payable
functions within a government contracting or federally funded environment. This
role prepares journal entries, performs balance sheet reconciliations, analyzes
financial results, maintains accounting records, and supports budget-to-actual
reporting to ensure accurate and timely financial information in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The position also supports
project accounting, labor cost distribution, revenue recognition under ASC 606,
and contract billing across various contract types, while partnering with the
Accounting Manager, program managers, and other departments to maintain strong
financial controls and meet reporting deadlines.
The role oversees key accounts payable activities, including reviewing and
processing vendor and subcontractor invoices, validating charges against
purchase orders and receiving documentation, reviewing employee expense reports
in Unanet, coordinating weekly payment runs, and maintaining vendor records.
Additional responsibilities include reconciling accounts payable balances,
managing accruals, preparing annual Form 1099 filings, and resolving invoice and
payment discrepancies. The Staff Accountant also supports internal and external
audits, including requests from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA),
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and external auditors, while helping
ensure compliance with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
requirements, indirect cost principles, and other federal contracting
regulations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Prepare and post journal entries, including accruals, prepaid amortization,
depreciation, and reclassifications, in accordance with GAAP.
Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations, including cash,
accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, accounts payable, accrued
liabilities, and fixed assets.
Support the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process within
established deadlines.
Prepare support schedules and financial statement analyses, including
budget-to-actual and variance reports for overhead and general and
administration department owners.
Maintain the chart of accounts and organizational structure in coordination
with the Accounting Manager.
Support labor cost distribution, timekeeping compliance, and labor
reconciliations between timekeeping, payroll, and the general ledger.
Assist with project setup, revenue recognition (ASC 606), and billing across
cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials, and firm-fixed-price contracts.
Prepare documentation and respond to requests from DCAA, DCMA, cognizant
federal agencies, and external auditors, including Single Audit (Uniform
Guidance) procedures where applicable.
Develop and maintain standard and ad hoc reports to support management,
program managers, and compliance requirements.
Review, code, and process vendor and subcontractor invoices in Unanet,
ensuring accurate charging to the appropriate project, account, and
organization.
Perform three-way matching of invoices against purchase orders and receiving
documentation, and resolve discrepancies with vendors, Procurement, and
program staff.
Review subcontractor invoices for consistency with subcontract terms,
approved rates, ceilings, and period of performance prior to payment.
Review and process employee expense reports submitted through Unanet for
compliance with organizational policy and the Federal Travel Regulation
(FTR), as applicable.
Prepare weekly payment runs (ACH, check, and wire), and maintain vendor
master data, including W-9 collection and SAM.gov exclusion verification.
Reconcile the accounts payable subledger to the general ledger monthly,
maintain the accounts payable aging, and record accounts payable accruals at
period end.
Prepare annual Form 1099 filings and respond to vendor inquiries.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Three (3) or more years of general ledger or staff accounting experience,
including at least two (2) years with a government contractor or federally
funded organization.
Hands-on experience with Unanet, including GL processing and month-end
utilities.
Working experience with Unanet (timekeeping, expense, project, or financial
modules).
Working knowledge of FAR Part 31, DCAA audit requirements, and indirect rate
structures.
Strong understanding of GAAP and account reconciliation practices.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data
reconciliation.
Demonstrated attention to detail and the ability to meet close deadlines.
Ability to obtain and maintain any background investigation required by the
organization's contracts, if applicable.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Familiarity with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Single Audit requirements
for federal grants.
Experience with CAS-covered contracts and Disclosure Statement requirements.
Experience in a professional services or federal contracting environment.
Experience supporting Incurred Cost Submissions and forward pricing or
provisional billing rate proposals.
ENTITY:
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health or Arbor Research LLC.
WORK ARRANGEMENT:
Remote
LOCATION:
Must be physically located in one of the following states:
Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Idaho,
Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, or Virginia
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT STATUS:
Exempt
REPORTS TO:
Accounting Manager
HOURS PER WEEK:
40
SUPERVISES OTHERS:
No
OVERNIGHT TRAVEL:
Minimal, no more than 5%
SALARY RANGE:
$89,300 to $105,500
Base Compensation is determined by market range and geographic location pay
zones. Base Compensation also includes various individual factors unique to each
candidate such as job level, prior experience, skill set, certifications, and
education, which may impact the compensation structure.