Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant
Government Contracting
Location: San Diego, CA | Hybrid
Reports to: Controller
Compensation: [Insert salary range]

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented Senior Accountant with government contracting experience to support contract billing, accounts payable, payroll, month-end close, and external audits. Reporting to the Controller, this position will help maintain accurate financial records, meet reporting deadlines, and strengthen accounting processes and internal controls.
The ideal candidate is hands-on, organized, and comfortable managing multiple priorities while working closely with Finance, Human Resources, and Program Management.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable

• Review vendor invoices and employee expenses for proper approvals, account coding, project allocation, and supporting documentation.
• Enter invoices and expenses as needed and assist with payment processing.
• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies.
• Identify outstanding liabilities and prepare month-end accruals.

Payroll

• Review timesheets, payroll changes, earnings, deductions, benefits, and reimbursements for accuracy.
• Coordinate with Human Resources and managers to resolve missing approvals and payroll discrepancies.
• Submit payroll within established deadlines.
• Prepare payroll journal entries and reconcile payroll and benefit-related accounts.
• Support accurate labor distribution and compliance with company timekeeping procedures.

Government Contract Billing

• Prepare and review invoices for cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials, and firm-fixed-price contracts in accordance with contract terms and billing requirements.
• Validate labor, indirect rates, subcontractor costs, travel, and other direct costs against supporting records.
• Monitor contract funding, billing limits, unbilled receivables, and invoice status; promptly identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Coordinate with Program Managers and customers to address billing questions and support timely collections.
• Maintain complete, organized billing documentation.

Month End Close

• Prepare journal entries, accruals, prepaid expense schedules, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assist with cash, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and intercompany reconciliations.
• Review general ledger activity and investigate unusual balances or coding errors.
• Support project accounting, indirect cost reporting, and financial statement preparation.
• Complete assigned close activities accurately and on schedule.

Audit and Compliance Support

• Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for external financial audits and government contract reviews.
• Respond to auditor requests and help resolve outstanding items.
• Support incurred cost submissions and other GovCon reporting requirements, as applicable.
• Maintain documentation supporting GAAP, applicable FAR requirements, and company accounting policies.
• Identify opportunities to improve procedures, reconciliations, and internal controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Five or more years of progressive accounting experience, including government contracting accounting.
• Experience preparing or reviewing government contract invoices.
• Working knowledge of GAAP, contract types, indirect rates, allowable and unallowable costs, and applicable FAR cost principles.
• Experience with accounts payable, payroll review, month-end close, and account reconciliations.
• Strong Excel skills, including lookup functions, pivot tables, and reconciliation tools.
• Ability to manage deadlines, investigate discrepancies, and communicate clearly across departments.
• Strong attention to detail and discretion when handling confidential financial and employee information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Unanet, Deltek Costpoint, or another government contracting ERP.
• Experience with Paycor or a comparable payroll platform.
• Experience supporting external audits, DCAA reviews, or incurred cost submissions.

Target Salary: $105-115k