Staff Accountant

HLK is a creative and technology agency focused on understanding and changing audience behavior through deeply integrated brand experiences. We bring clarity of context and creative resolution capable of changing behavior and shaping belief in brands. Active clients include Ameren, Bayer, Envu, Marriott and Winchester.

The Finance Department within HLK supports agency leadership and client engagement teams through timely reporting and analysis of client profitability, employee utilization, billing efficiency, expenditure variance and staff turnover.

The responsibilities of the Staff Accountant provide an opportunity for exposure to all business cycles within HLK including Billing & Receivables, Journal Entries & General Ledger Maintenance, Treasury & Banking, Vendor Management & Payables, and Reporting & Analysis.

Duties and Functions

• Standard reporting and analysis (50%)
• Support monthly close and financial statement preparation through:
• Recurring Journal Entries
• Balance sheet account reconciliation
• Payroll tax reconciliation
• Prepare client billing and invoicing
• Assist in the processing of vendor invoices

• Processing weekly vendor payment runs

• Issue resolution, data research and new analysis/metric development (40%)

• Analyze trends and actual vs budget variations in revenue, expense and working capital

• Assist leadership and client teams with issue resolution and data research as needed

• Based on general observation as well as management input/feedback, develop new analyses and/or metrics designed to track operational initiatives, support business decisions and/or inform management about a topic or trend

• Process improvement / systems maintenance (10%)

• Develop thorough working knowledge of ERP to ensure efficient utilization of system features and functionality

• Identify and implement process improvement opportunities within Finance as well as other functional areas of the business

• Participate in inter-departmental and client-based project teams focused on various process development / improvement initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

• Proficient skill level in Microsoft Office products, specifically Excel, and Google Sheets
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting
• Preferred experience includes 1-3 years of public/private accounting related roles
• Specific marketing agency or similar service industry experience is a plus