Senior Accountant

Job Title: Sr. Staff Accountant

Department: Accounting

Location: Remote

Reports To: Assistant Controller

Position Type: Full-time

Company Overview

Gulf Winds International, Inc. is a leading provider of drayage, transloading, and storage, serving importers and exporters globally. The Company prides itself on innovation, people, and purpose, redefining expectations for intermodal trucking. With a robust presence at major ports, including Houston, Dallas, Mobile, Memphis, Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore, and Chicago, Gulf Winds is dedicated to delivering top-notch services through continuous investment in technology and infrastructure. Ownership: The company is backed by The Sterling Group, a Houston-based private equity firm. Since 1982, The Sterling Group has partnered with management teams to grow and build winning businesses in the industrial sector. Over 75% of Sterling’s past partnerships have been with family businesses and corporate carve-outs. Sterling excels as a partner bringing its operational focus and expertise to support company objectives. Today, Sterling has over $5.7 billion in assets under management.

Position Summary

Gulf Winds is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Senior Staff Accountant to support the accounting function through ownership of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, financial reporting, and month-end close activities. This role plays a key part in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information, supporting audits, and driving continuous improvement within accounting processes. The ideal candidate is highly organized, possesses strong technical accounting skills, and thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

General Ledger & Financial Reporting

• Prepare and post recurring and non-recurring journal entries.
• Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate/resolution of reconciling items.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes to ensure timely financial reporting.
• Assist in preparing monthly financial statements, management reports, and supporting schedules.
• Analyze financial results and variances, identifying trends and providing insights to management.
• Ensure accounting transactions are recorded in accordance with GAAP and company policies.
• Assist with accrual calculations, prepaid expenses, and other period-end accounting activities.

Accounting Operations & Controls

• Review accounting transactions for accuracy and completeness.
• Support the maintenance and enhancement of internal controls and accounting procedures.
• Assist in developing and documenting accounting policies and process improvements.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Operations teams to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Research accounting issues and provide recommendations on appropriate treatment.

Compliance & Audit Support

• Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external audits.
• Assist with annual financial audits and other compliance-related activities.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, GAAP, and regulatory requirements.
• Support tax reporting and other financial compliance initiatives as needed.

Process Improvement & Special Projects

• Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Assist with ERP enhancements, system implementations, and automation initiatives.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis projects.
• Support special projects and ad hoc reporting requests from accounting and finance leadership.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• 3+ years of progressive accounting experience with a strong focus on general ledger accounting and financial reporting.
• Experience participating in month-end close processes and account reconciliations.
• Experience with ERP systems (Sage Intacct preferred) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Public accounting experience is a plus but not required.
• CPA certification or CPA-track candidates are preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and accounting best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and financial analysis tools.

Preferred Attributes

• Ownership mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to identify process improvements and drive efficiencies.
• High level of accountability, organization, and professionalism.
• Strong business partnership skills and customer-service orientation.