Student Accounts and Accounting Specialist

Job Summary

This Staff Accountant - Accounting Operations position is responsible for day-to-day general accounting activities and supports the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes. This role is responsible for preparing and recording journal entries, maintaining subledgers, performing reconciliations, and analyzing general ledger accounts to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting policies. The position will also support financial reporting activities and collaborate with internal teams to ensure timely and accurate financial information.

Who You Will Work With

The position will report directly to the Senior Manager, Accounting Operations and will work with other members of the Farmer Mac Accounting and Financial Reporting teams.

Where and When You Will Work

Farmer Mac embraces a Presence with Purpose work environment, which allows for flexibility of work location while providing the opportunity for teams to come together in the office with purpose. The position will be based in Farmer Mac’s headquarters at 2100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time. Work outside of these times may be required for planned and unplanned activities for the purposes of completion of a time sensitive project or attendance of off-site meetings or events. Travel outside of Washington, DC is generally not expected for this position.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Prepare journal entries for a variety of transactions, including loans, investments, debt, derivatives and other assets and liabilities in accordance with accounting policies
• Prepare reconciliations between subledgers and related general ledger accounts; investigate and resolve reconciling items
• Perform account roll-forward analyses and detailed fluctuation analyses to ensure completeness and accuracy of balances
• Support the financial close process by meeting established close deadlines and maintaining proper documentation
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports and disclosures to support the Financial Reporting team in the quarterly filing of forms 10-Q/10-K with the SEC
• Reconcile cash activity and support monitoring of cash balances and transactions
• Account for balance sheet accounts such as prepaid expenses, fixed assets, accounts payable, accruals, and other assets and liabilities
• Participate in system testing and validation for new or enhanced applications to ensure accounting and reporting requirements are met
• Support internal and external audit requests by preparing schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve accounting questions and improve processes
• Perform other accounting and financial tasks as assigned on a regular or ad hoc basis

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent analytical skills used to assess detailed fluctuations in accounts on a monthly and quarterly basis
• Strong knowledge and understanding of accounting principles and financial statements
• Demonstrated attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and thoroughness
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work well in a team setting
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with peers and all levels of management
• Strong computer skills with an emphasis in analyzing accounting postings and transaction data in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Suite applications (Word, Access, Visio)
• Proven organizational skills with a focus on document management

Experience and Education

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in public or private accounting, internal audit and/or internal control assessments
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required
• Registered as, or working towards, a Certified Public Accountant
• Experience in financial services industry is preferred

Compensation

Our compensation philosophy is targeted pay positioning relative to peers, our industry, and external markets. Farmer Mac is committed to a compensation program that will enable the organization to attract, motivate, reward, and retain highly skilled and creative talent to maintain sustained long-term performance and achieve the organization’s strategic business objectives. The typical starting salary range for this position is between $75,000 - $85,000, although wages can vary based on experience, plus performance-based bonus and equity-based awards. Individual compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's experience.