GL Accountant

Description

General Ledger Accountant

Location: Atlanta, GA (Hybrid – 3 Days in Office)

Department: Accounting & Finance

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented General Ledger (GL) Accountant to join our Accounting and Finance team. This role will be responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger while playing a key role in the month-end close process and preparation of monthly financial statements.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting professional who takes ownership of their work, understands the connection between journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements, and consistently delivers accurate financial information within established deadlines.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Month-End Close & General Ledger

• Perform assigned responsibilities for monthly, quarterly, and year-end close.
• Prepare and post recurring and adjusting journal entries, including accruals, prepaids, reclassifications, and other month-end adjustments.
• Maintain general ledger accounts and ensure transactions are accurately recorded in the appropriate accounting period.
• Prepare and maintain schedules and supporting documentation for general ledger accounts.
• Investigate unusual activity, account discrepancies, and accounting errors and drive issues through resolution.
• Complete assigned close activities in accordance with the established monthly close calendar.

Monthly Financial Reporting

• Prepare and/or support the preparation of monthly financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and supporting schedules.
• Review monthly financial results for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate account classification.
• Perform month-over-month and budget-to-actual variance analysis, investigating significant variances as needed.
• Assist with preparation of monthly financial reporting packages for management.
• Ensure financial reporting is consistent with U.S. GAAP and established company accounting policies.

Account Reconciliations

• Prepare timely and accurate balance sheet reconciliations with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Reconcile assigned accounts, which may include bank accounts, prepaid expenses, accrued liabilities, fixed assets, intercompany accounts, and other general ledger accounts.
• Research and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
• Maintain clear documentation and audit trails for reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting calculations.

Audit, Controls & Process Improvement

• Support annual financial statement audits by preparing schedules, reconciliations, and requested documentation.
• Follow and support established accounting procedures and internal controls.
• Maintain organized and audit-ready financial records.
• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of month-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting processes.
• Partner with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and other departments to research and resolve accounting matters.
• Assist with special projects, financial analysis, and other accounting responsibilities as needed.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by the ability to consistently deliver accurate, timely, and well-supported financial information.

The GL Accountant will be expected to:

• Month-End Close: Consistently complete assigned close activities accurately and within established deadlines.
• Financial Reporting: Produce accurate monthly financial statements, schedules, and supporting information.
• Reconciliations: Complete assigned balance sheet reconciliations each month and promptly research and resolve outstanding items.
• Journal Entry Accuracy: Ensure journal entries are accurate, appropriately supported, properly classified, and recorded in the correct accounting period.
• Financial Analysis: Identify significant month-over-month and budget-to-actual variances and provide clear explanations.
• GL Integrity: Proactively identify and resolve accounting discrepancies, incorrect classifications, and unusual transactions.
• Internal Controls: Maintain complete supporting documentation and comply with established accounting policies, controls, and U.S. GAAP.
• Audit Readiness: Maintain organized, complete, and audit-ready schedules and supporting documentation throughout the year.
• Ownership: Demonstrate accountability for assigned accounts and deliverables with minimal follow-up.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline and strengthen accounting processes, reconciliations, and month-end reporting.

ABOUT ASTRAL HEALTH & BEAUTY

Astral Health & Beauty has established itself as a leading authority in natural and plant-based skin care and color cosmetics. We’re the name behind a family of high-quality, ingredient-driven beauty brands dedicated to innovation. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, our groundbreaking, multi-brand beauty company operates through a portfolio of four distinct brands: Aloette, COSMEDIX, PÜR and butter LONDON—all of which are proudly cruelty-free. From skin care and makeup, to body care and 8-Free nail lacquers, we offer an array of innovative solutions designed to deliver superior results people can feel good about. With innovative and transformative beauty, skincare products and more, our Astral mission is to redefine the face of clean beauty. We embrace diversity and develop products to meet the needs of a global marketplace. Our success is the result of entrepreneurial spirit, passion, drive and pushing boundaries, knowing that our commitment to the customer is more than skin deep.

It is Astral Health & Beauty’s practice to provide and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, pregnancy, marital status, family status, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other non-merit based factor or any other characteristics in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Requirements

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 7-10 years of professional accounting experience, preferably with direct general ledger and month-end close responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and general accounting principles.
• Demonstrated experience preparing journal entries, account reconciliations, and monthly financial statements.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and financial data analysis.
• Experience working with an ERP or accounting system.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring month-end deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience working in a multi-entity or multi-brand environment.
• Experience with intercompany accounting, consolidations, and financial reporting.
• Experience identifying and implementing accounting process improvements or automation