Online Accountant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

About Purple Strategies 

Purple Strategies is a corporate reputation and strategy firm that combines the creativity and discipline of brand communications with the speed and strategy of political campaigns to help leverage or reduce pressure on a business, brand or issue. We help build and defend reputation and brand value and serve Fortune 500 companies, associations, nonprofits and some of the most recognizable brands in the world. 

Purple helps the world's most important organizations address their toughest challenges. We operate in a highly collaborative environment and apply integrated, team-based approaches to help clients: 

• ANTICIPATE reputation challenges and opportunities; 

• COMPEL change through business actions and transformation; and 

• NAVIGATE reputation issues, acute crises, key business choices and policy/regulatory changes to inform decision-making. 

About The Position  

The Accountant is a core member of the finance team who collaborates across the organization to keep day-to-day accounting operations running smoothly and accurately. The ideal candidate brings strong Excel skills, initiative, and a process-minded, analytical approach to improving accuracy and efficiency.  

This is a fixed term employment role for six months with potential for extension or transition to a permanent role. The Accountant joins a current two-person team comprised of a Senior Director of Finance and Accounting and a Revenue Accountant. 

Responsibilities 

• Own core accounting processes, including invoicing, journal entries, general ledger support, and account reconciliations 

• Support the month-end close process (e.g., preparing schedules, reconciling accounts, and assisting with reporting deliverables) 

• Manage/perform Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable activities, including issue resolution and timely follow-up 

• Partner with internal teams to ensure accurate coding, documentation, and timely processing of invoices and payments 

• Assist with audit and compliance support, including preparation of schedules and responding to auditor requests  

• Maintain strong documentation and internal controls for core accounting processes 

• Use Excel to analyze and validate data sets (e.g., pivots, lookups, embedded formulas) and identify discrepancies; help automate and streamline recurring processes  

• Support ad-hoc projects and cross-functional requests as needed  

• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications 

• 1-4 years of relevant accounting experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field 

• QuickBooks experience required; Sage Intacct experience preferred 

• Strong working knowledge of AP/AR and broad accounting functions 

• Experience supporting audits and handling documentation requests  

• Demonstrated ability to use AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly to enhance work product while consistently applying critical thinking, judgment, protecting confidentiality, and maintaining accountability for work quality and accuracy.
• Excellent Excel skills, including proficient use of Pivot Tables, Vlookup, embedded formulas and the ability to use these skills to automate current processes 
• Familiarity with ASC 606 / revenue recognition is helpful but not required  

• Industry experience in professional services/consulting or similar project-based environments is a plus  

• Detail-oriented, organized, deadline-driven, and able to multi-task in a fast-paced, collaborative environment  

• Excellent oral and written communications skills 

• Excellent analytical skills to manage large amounts of data 

• Public accounting experience a plus 

• Embodiment of Purple's values: Adaptable, Collaborative, Curious, Innovative, Industrious, Respectful. 

Work Location   

This is a full-time position, with a fixed-term of six months, based in our Alexandria, VA headquarters. Purple Strategies offers a hybrid model and seeks employees who are able to work in the office three days a week. 

How To Apply  

Please submit your resume and cover letter online at purplestrategies.com/join-our-team/   

Purple is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.