Staff Accountant

Ascent is a leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success. Everything Ascent offers is designed with the best-in-class teams and technology to increase every student's ability to plan, pay, and succeed in their education and career. Ascent's planning tools and financing resources are co-created by students for those in college, graduate school, and career training programs. Ascent offers financial wellness education, student success services, and one-on-one and digital career coaching that put students' academic and professional goals within reach. Ascent has been widely recognized for its strong culture – named “Best Places to Work” by the San Diego Business Journal for the past 5 years – and as an industry leader – named “Best Student Loan” by NerdWallet for the past 3 years.

As a Staff Accountant, you will be responsible for performing various accounting tasks, such as preparing financial statements, reconciling ledger accounts, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations. You will assist the Senior Accounting Manager with month-end and year-end closing processes, along with financial statement audits. You will report to the Senior Accounting Manager and work closely with other departments to provide accurate and timely financial information.

Responsibilities:  

• Prepare journal entries, adjusting entries, and accruals
• Reconcile general ledger accounts, bank statements, and intercompany transactions
• Process accounts payable transactions
• Prepare and deliver various customer invoices and manage collections
• Prepare and analyze financial statements, such as income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual closing processes and reporting
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax laws, and internal policies and procedures
• Prepare periodic compliance reports for various external parties
• Assist with external and internal audits and provide supporting documentation
• Perform variance analysis and identify areas for improvement
• Maintain and update fixed asset records and depreciation schedules
• Support the budgeting and forecasting process
• Respond to accounting inquiries and requests from management and other departments
• Research and resolve accounting issues and discrepancies
• Keep abreast of accounting standards, regulations, and best practices
• Perform other accounting duties and projects as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field
• At least two years of experience in accounting or auditing
• CPA certification or working towards CPA certification is preferred
• Advanced user with Microsoft Excel and accounting software, such as QuickBooks, Sage, or Oracle; NetSuite & SQL experience a plus
• Knowledge of GAAP, tax laws, and accounting principles and practices
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure

Competitive pay with bonus, and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but not limited to:

• Compensation includes base salary of $68,000 - $78,000 commensurate with experience, plus bonus and options. 
• Company Stock Options
• 401(k) + Company Match
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Annual HSA contribution of $1,600
• Life insurance, disability, and critical illness
• 14 Paid Holidays!  Eleven (11) + Two (2) Community Days + Your Birthday!
• Snacks and drinks in the office
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Generous paid leave policies
• $2,000 Vacation Incentive Plan after 3 years + $1,000 Sabbatical Day
• Wellness, Work from Home funds, and more!

The Job Description is intended to be a general representation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job. However, the description may not be all-inclusive, and responsibilities and requirements are subject to change.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.