Junior Staff Accountant

Job Title: Junior Staff Accountant

Job Description

The Junior Staff Accountant manages complex expense accounts related to the company’s vehicle fleet, leased facilities, insurance programs, and ownership expenses. This role reviews and codes invoices, reconciles general ledger accounts, prepares journal entries, and ensures accurate and compliant handling of state and local taxes across multiple states. The position also oversees primary trade accounts payable, supports credit card administration, and provides accounting support to multiple locations while delivering excellent internal and external customer service.

Responsibilities

• Manage significant and complex expense accounts payable vendors related to the company’s vehicle fleet, leased buildings, medical and liability insurance, and owner’s expenses.
• Review invoices monthly, perform detailed and accurate coding, and ensure proper understanding and application of lease commitments and vehicle registrations.
• Communicate proactively with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve questions, discrepancies, and issues related to expense invoices.
• Perform monthly general ledger account reconciliations, including bank reconciliations, miscellaneous expense accounts, accounts payable and accounts receivable clearing accounts, and prepaid accounts.
• Complete additional reconciliations as needed for any general ledger account involved in research, changes of use, or other special projects.
• Prepare and enter general ledger journal entries, including routine monthly journals and correcting entries identified during account analysis.
• Support and maintain compliance with state and local tax requirements in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, California, Texas, Arizona, and Utah, with the ability to incorporate additional states as needed.
• Serve as a resource for the organization on state tax rules and the configuration of accounting and business software to maintain tax compliance.
• File all sales tax, business and occupation tax, property tax, and related business tax returns accurately and on time.
• Initiate and renew business licenses as required across multiple jurisdictions.
• Manage the primary trade accounts payable account, including reviewing all invoices from the primary manufacturing business partner.
• Track, document, and communicate invoice issues with the purchasing department and register disputed invoices with the manufacturer.
• Process payments from monthly Excel statements, ensuring accuracy and timely remittance.
• Review, prepare, and input expense invoices from utility bills, professional services, and credit card statements for multiple locations, including Portland, Tri-Cities, Spokane, Seattle, and Anchorage.
• Develop a strong understanding of the company’s general ledger structure and accounts to ensure proper coding and reporting.
• Review, prepare, and perform purchase order matching for a high volume of invoices from the company’s largest vendor.
• Act as the primary administrator and bank contact for approximately 80 company credit cards, ensuring proper controls and accurate processing.
• Process monthly employee expense reports, review them for accuracy and policy compliance, ask clarifying questions when needed, and process payments and reimbursements.
• Process payments for a wide range of expenses, including retirement plan fees, legal invoices, accounting firm invoices, membership fees, building and fleet maintenance and repairs, insurance bills, and company phone bills.
• Research and resolve vendor issues while maintaining positive and professional working relationships with expense vendors.
• Update and maintain multiple spreadsheets throughout the month to support reporting, tracking, and analysis.
• Perform general office duties, including monitoring inventory and ordering office and housekeeping supplies as needed.
• Provide excellent customer service over the phone and in person, demonstrating professionalism, accuracy, and a helpful attitude.
• Follow established accounting processes and procedures while contributing ideas for continuous improvement when appropriate.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2 years of accounting experience with a strong emphasis on accounts payable.
• Hands-on experience with general ledger accounting, including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Proficiency with ERP software and comfort working within integrated accounting systems.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger structures and reconciliation processes.
• Experience coding invoices accurately to appropriate accounts and cost centers.
• Demonstrated ability to perform month-end activities, including reconciliations and journal preparation.
• Proficiency in Excel, including accurate data entry and spreadsheet maintenance.
• Strong phone etiquette and customer service skills, with confidence in handling calls and inquiries.
• High attention to detail, organization skills, and a high degree of accuracy in all work.
• Professional demeanor and ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive financial information.
• Strong business math skills and 10-key by touch proficiency.
• Ability to multitask, manage priorities, and trace transactions through business software systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort communicating over the phone and via email.
• Problem-solving skills and independent thinking while respecting and following established processes.
• Ambitious mindset with adaptability, accountability, and a positive attitude.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with various software platforms, including but not limited to Excel, Outlook, and an ERP system.
• Ability to understand the broader financial picture and how individual transactions fit into overall business operations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with vendors, colleagues, and cross-functional teams.
• Desire to be productive, authentic, and collaborative, with a sense of humor and a team-focused approach.
• Comfort working with tax-related filings such as sales tax, business and occupation tax, property tax, and business licenses.
• Experience handling high-volume invoice processing and purchase order matching.
• Ability to serve as a resource on state tax rules and software configurations related to compliance.

Work Environment

This role is 100% in-office in a location near the Lloyd Center, operating in a blue-collar office environment that supports a petroleum dispensing equipment distribution business specializing in service, sales, and specialty construction. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 . to 4:00 . The team culture is very family-oriented, with a strong emphasis on appreciation, loyalty, and employee well-being. Employees regularly enjoy potlucks, cookouts, and company outings, and the organization offers bonuses and raises as part of its commitment to recognizing contributions. The environment encourages collaboration, authenticity, and a supportive, team-focused atmosphere.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Portland, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $29.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Portland,OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the ., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.