Staff Accountant – Accounts Payable & Close

Description 

Athena is looking for an Accountant who is detail-oriented, highly organized and forward thinking. We work in a spirited, fast-paced, and ever-changing environment and we’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running and thrive in this setting. The ideal candidate should be able to think strategically and implement iteratively. 
As Athena continues to scale and integrate Ceisler, this role will play a critical part in building a structured, high-performing finance function. The Staff Accountant – Accounts Payable & Close will own expense-side accounting, vendor management, and key components of the month end close. This role will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of financial records.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Process vendor invoices and ensure proper coding

• Maintain vendor records (W-9s, payment details, and supporting documentation)

• Support vendor onboarding and maintenance of existing vendor relationships

• Lead preparing and executing vendor payment runs

• Administer the company’s corporate credit card programs

• Process and review employee expense reports and ensure compliance with policies

• Track and maintain prepaid and accrued expense schedules

• Prepare and post journal entries (accruals, prepaids, reclasses)

• Maintain general ledger accuracy across all accounts

• Perform reconciliations for banks, credit cards, and other balance sheet accounts

• Support execution of month-end close checklist

• Identify potential process improvements to the team and help implement

The skills and experience you should have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (CPA or MBA a plus)

• 1–3 years of accounting, finance, AP, or audit experience

• Experience with vendor management, accrual schedules, or reconciliations preferred

• Ability to leverage technology tools effectively (Excel, CoPilot, QuickBooks Online)

• Strong understanding of the matching principle and accrual basis accounting

• Ability to analyze data and  to engage stakeholders on business-oriented solutions

• High attention to detail and ownership mindset

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to work cross-functionally

• Ability to manage multiple priorities

• Ability to handle confidential information