About the Role We’re seeking an experienced Accountant III to support a large public-sector organization. This senior-level professional will lead complex accounting activities, deliver advanced financial analysis, mentor junior staff, and drive process improvements—all with minimal oversight. What You’ll Do • Maintain the accuracy of the general ledger and financial records; build schedules to monitor key GL accounts. • Prepare and review complex journal entries (accruals, allocations, intercompany). • Produce, analyze, and interpret financial statements in compliance with GAAP and other standards. • Perform advanced variance and trend analysis; identify risks and opportunities. • Create and present detailed financial reports to leadership; help compile quarterly board and third-party reporting packages (KPIs, narratives, variance explanations). • Support annual budgeting and periodic forecasting; complete monthly cost center reviews and budget-to-actual analysis. • Monitor performance against budget and recommend cost controls/optimization. • Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and external regulations. • Review financial aspects of third-party contracts and recommend improvements in collaboration with legal/partners. • Lead audit schedule preparation; liaise with internal/external auditors (financials, footnotes, supplemental schedules). • Identify process inefficiencies and recommend/implement improvements. • Lead/participate in implementation of new accounting tools or modules. • Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to junior team members; review/approve their work. • Partner cross-functionally on special projects; review outstanding invoices and discuss department reports with business stakeholders. • Contribute to strategic financial planning initiatives. What You’ll Bring • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Finance (IT coursework preferred). • 5+ years of progressive accounting experience (public transportation or governmental accounting a plus). • In-depth knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards. • Proficiency with major ERPs (e.g., SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros). • Strong analytical/problem-solving skills and exceptional attention to detail. • Excellent communication skills for collaboration with leadership and cross-functional teams. • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment. • Nice to Have (Preferred) • Graduate degree (Accounting, Business Administration, or Finance). • Professional certification: CPA, CFE, or CMA. • Experience with SOX or IFRS compliance. • Financial modeling and data visualization (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).