Accounting Manager

Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, Inc. (Columbia Energy) has been in business for over 30 years. We began as an engineering firm in support of nuclear cleanup operations for the U.S. Department of Energy at Hanford in Richland, Washington. We have progressively grown from our origins into a full-service engineering and fabrication company providing cost-effective solutions in the nuclear, defense, energy, and hazardous waste industries.

Columbia Energy and Environmental Services, located in Richland WA, is seeking an Accounting Manager who is professional, proactive, detail-oriented, and able to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced environment. This position reports to the President/CEO. This role will be responsible for managing all of the day-to-day accounting functions. We are looking for someone who is extremely organized, has strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills and will lead our growing accounting team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Managing the financial resources and obligations of a small government contracting business and provide related financial support and consultation to management, including fiscal input to assist in determining or adjusting the strategic direction and management of the business.
• Interface with accounting/payroll clerk for effective preparation of bi-weekly payroll, time card reconciliation, processing of Human Resource Data information into payroll software, and all other payroll related functions.
• Management of the Accounts Receivable (A/R), Accounts Payable (A/P) and general ledger and prepares and presents financials and associated reports.
• Reviews contracts, prepares budgets and reports and maintains records to assure compliance with Government Cost Accounting Standards (GCAS) and works with other Business Unit Controllers to ensure cost compliance with FAR requirements, such as allowable cost standards and reporting, including publishing yearly allowable cost rates to the DOE. Necessitates basic FAR knowledge and ability to research FAR standards for compliance.
• Primary interface for all government related audits and establishes a working relationship with third party and client auditors.
• Manages the overall accounting systems and activities as Controller/Accounting Manager for government contracts to ensure consistency and accuracy of data across all Business Units.
• Implements accounting procedures and business rules to ensure efficiency and accuracy of data so that accounting transactions and reports are timely and effective financial metrics are maintained.
• Directly supervise and manage all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and bank management.
• Manage internal controls to ensure proper security of financial information. Implement additional controls, procedures and documentation as needed.
• Follow schedule for the finalization of each monthly, quarterly and annual period within the accounting software, as well as the closure of the annual period.
• Update processes and procedures as needed to be compliant with new government regulations
• Coordinate all financial reporting with the company’s designated CPA firm for preparation of year-end statements and tax returns.
• Establish and maintain an Operating Manual for the Accounting function, including documented processes and work instructions for hiring, training of staff and reference during operations.
• Communicate new process information, work instructions, documentation and other materials to assigned staff and to related departments, ensuring all personnel develop a full understanding of all new policies and procedures and that those changes are accurately and promptly implemented.
• Actively identify opportunities for improvement in operating costs and operational efficiency and leading others to do the same.
• Monitor and manage staff productivity to established goals and objectives. Communicate workload/staffing status to President/CEO and make recommendations on staffing levels needed to meet defined objectives.
• Directly participate in the definition, interviewing and hiring of new staff.
• Provide regular job performance feedback to staff, including coaching and disciplinary notices when necessary, and carry out the performance appraisal process in a fair and honest manner.
• Identify issues of concern or potential issues and promptly communicate to President/CEO.
• Maintain and coordinate renewal of all insurance contracts.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or business
• 8-10 plus years of progressive accounting experience
• 5-8 years of experience working with government and commercial contracts

Qualifications:

• Experience with government contracts and cost accounting per FAR/DFAR requirements and have a working knowledge in the following types of contracts: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Time and Material (T&M), Cost Share, Cost Reimbursable, and IDIQ.
• Comprehensive knowledge of financial data gathering, analysis and reporting
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Good written and verbal communications
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and management
• Experience with hands on preparation and review of incurred cost submissions and forward pricing rates
• Strong problem identification, analysis, and resolution skills
• Key Competencies: Strategic orientation, Results oriented, Customer Orientation, Leading change, Flexibility, Innovation