Accounting Operations Assistant Jobs in Bellingham, WA

Description

Job Title: Internal Accounting & Finance Manager

Reports To:  Finance and Operations Director 

Position Summary

The Internal Accounting & Finance Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing VSH's internal accounting operations. This position manages the full accounting cycle, provides leadership and accountability for accounting support personnel, maintains strong financial controls, and ensures the timely and accurate completion of the firm's financial processes and reporting.

This is a hands-on management role for an experienced accounting professional who can balance day-to-day operational responsibilities with team leadership, process improvement, and financial analysis. The Internal Accounting & Finance Manager will work closely with the Finance and Operations Director and other firm leaders to strengthen internal systems, improve efficiency, leverage technology, and provide meaningful financial information that supports sound business decisions.

Essential Responsibilities

Accounting Operations

• Manage the firm's full-cycle internal accounting operations.
• Lead the monthly close process from beginning to end, ensuring financial information is complete, accurate, and delivered on time.
• Oversee billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collections, payroll coordination, and related accounting activities.
• Review account reconciliations, journal entries, general ledger activity, and supporting documentation.
• Manage vendor payments, employee reimbursements, payment processing, and internal approval workflows.
• Monitor cash flow, outstanding receivables, payment obligations, and other key financial activities.
• Prepare and submit quarterly reports, required filings, and other financial documentation.
• Maintain accurate accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and firm policies.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, direction, structure, and accountability for employees supporting billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and other internal accounting functions.
• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities, procedures, and performance expectations for team members.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, training, and development support.
• Monitor workload distribution and ensure appropriate coverage for essential accounting functions.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Partner with the Finance and Operations Director on staffing needs, employee development, and performance management.

Internal Controls and Process Improvement

• Maintain effective internal accounting controls and ensure established procedures are followed consistently.
• Identify financial, operational, or compliance risks and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Review accounting processes and workflows to identify opportunities for greater accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Develop, document, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and workflow standards.
• Evaluate and implement technology solutions that improve financial processes, reporting, communication, and data integrity.
• Support system conversions, integrations, upgrades, and other process improvement initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate separation of duties and approval authority within the accounting function.

Financial Reporting and Leadership Support

• Prepare accurate, timely, and useful financial reports for the Finance and Operations Director and firm leadership.
• Analyze financial results, trends, variances, and key performance indicators.
• Translate financial data into clear, practical information that supports operational and strategic decision-making.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and related reporting activities.
• Respond to financial questions from firm leaders and provide supporting data and analysis.
• Collaborate with leadership to evaluate business needs, improve financial visibility, and strengthen the firm's financial operations.
• Support external accounting, tax, audit, banking, insurance, and other professional relationships as needed.

Key Outcomes

The Internal Accounting & Finance Manager will be expected to:

• Produce accurate and timely monthly financial information.
• Maintain a consistent and well-controlled monthly close process.
• Strengthen accountability and performance across internal accounting functions.
• Improve the accuracy, efficiency, and documentation of financial workflows.
• Reduce delays, errors, and unnecessary manual processes.
• Provide leadership with relevant financial information and analysis.
• Build scalable accounting processes that support the firm's continued growth.
• Develop a knowledgeable, dependable, and collaborative internal accounting team.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience working in professional services, accounting, consulting, or similarly structured organization.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, and management reporting.
• Experience implementing or improving accounting technology, systems, or workflow automation.
• Familiarity with multi-office or multi-entity accounting operations.
• CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional designation.

Core Competencies

Financial and Technical Expertise

Maintains strong accounting knowledge and produces accurate, dependable financial information.

Leadership and Accountability

Establishes clear expectations, follows through on commitments, and helps employees perform at their best.

Business Partnership

Understands the broader business and uses financial information to support practical, well-informed decisions.

Process Improvement

Looks beyond current practices to identify better, more efficient, and more scalable ways of working.

Technology Orientation

Uses technology thoughtfully to improve accuracy, efficiency, visibility, and employee experience.

Communication

Explains financial information clearly and communicates effectively with both accounting and non-accounting colleagues.

Collaboration

Builds productive relationships and works across departments to solve problems and accomplish shared goals.

Integrity and Judgment

Handles confidential information appropriately and exercises sound professional judgment.

About VSH

VSH is an independent, full-service accounting and advisory firm in Bellingham. The firm provides services beyond traditional tax compliance and planning, including strategic advisory support, international and cross-border services, transition planning, and other specialized solutions for local, regional, and international clients.

VSH prioritizes People First. The firm believes meaningful and fulfilling careers are built through continuous learning, strong relationships, personalized development, and opportunities for professional growth. Employees are supported through mentoring relationships, career coaching, skill development, and forward-focused development plans.

VSH's core values emphasize employee well-being, adaptability, excellence, collaboration, and putting people first.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $90,000-$105,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and alignment with the responsibilities of the role.

VSH offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Hybrid work arrangement
• Flexible work schedule
• Three weeks of paid time off
• Four weeks of paid time off after one year of employment
• Nine paid holidays, two of the nine are flexible dates
• SIMPLE IRA with employer matching contributions of up to 4%
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account options
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement assistance for qualifying high-deductible health      plans
• Flexible Spending Account option
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• Professional development, mentoring, and career-growth support

Physical and Work Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential responsibilities of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The role regularly requires the use of a computer, communication by phone and video, participation in meetings, and the ability to review and prepare detailed financial information.

The position operates within a hybrid work environment. Regular attendance at the office will be required in accordance with the firm's hybrid work expectations and the operational needs of the department.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VSH is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. VSH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

AI-Assisted Application Review

VSH may use AI-assisted tools to support the initial resume review process. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by VSH team members, and VSH monitors its tools and processes for compliance with applicable federal nondiscrimination laws governing AI and automated employment screening systems.

Applicants who need accommodation or prefer an alternative application method may contact VSH's Human Resources department directly.