Staff Accountant (posted 6-25-26)

Department: Accounting
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Range: $68k – $78k

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Sr. Staff Accountant, the Staff Accountant will offer a unique professional growth and development opportunity as a multifunctional role. This position requires periodic on-site attendance at the corporate office in Carlsbad, CA, as needed. You will be responsible for supporting bank tasks, credit card, general ledger reconciliations, accrual entries, invoicing, supplier payments, journal entry processing, and in-progress accounting within NetSuite and any other related platforms. Tasks will also include assistance with contracts and maintaining various documentation. Human Resources (HR) queries, audits, and payroll assistance will sometimes be needed. Support will also be provided to all departments that interact with accounting, including Project Management, Sales, and HR. It is an opportunity for the right individual to leverage their background and related experience to contribute positively to achieving the department’s goals and vision, maintain confidentiality, and be an epic, self-motivated, curious team player.

At FirstWatch, we partner with public safety and healthcare professionals to transform raw data into actionable insights, enhancing operational effectiveness and driving improved outcomes.  When our clients use FirstWatch, they view easy-to-read, customizable web pages, dashboards, charts, graphs, and maps that help them interpret data collected by their 911 and public safety systems. FirstWatch is a growing, family-oriented company based in Carlsbad, California, that primarily works remotely while continually building a strong, healthy hybrid workplace. Starting in 1999, our people, company culture, and wonderful clients have been the keys to our success. We’re all about doing the right thing for our clients, their patients, the citizens they serve, and each other.

If you’re interested in collaborating with a creative, innovative, caring, and kind team, send us your resume.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• A/R – Generate monthly and annual invoices, verify receipts, and manage accounts payable and receivable to ensure timely payments.
• Customer account reconciliation, which includes credit calculations.
• A/R collections.
• Assist with cash projections, payroll journal entries, and budgets- department and company-wide.
• Maintain customers’ accounts, such as project details, customer portals, and current contact information.
• Customer service; fulfilling customer requests such as quotes, W-9, and ACH.
• Maintain accurate live dates.
• Perform month-end reconciliations and journal entries, credit card reconciliations, bank statements, benefits statements, and ledger entries.
• Assist with month/year-end financial reporting.
• Manage the day-to-day incoming and outgoing mail at the corporate office.
• Generate daily deposit email and savings remittance advice documents.
• Maintain electronic files with a well-organized system.
• Assist with all HR audits and records for appropriate documentation and compliance. (ex. corporate insurance renewals, state and federal requests.)
• PTO reconciliation and any outlier projects.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• A team player and great collaborator, also self-motivated and able to work individually.
• Strong understanding of accounting general ledger concepts (debt/credits).
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities.
• Ability to research, translate findings, and provide a creative resolution; think outside the box.
• Well-written and verbal communications.
• Shows attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.
• Ability to anticipate issues and collaborate with accounting, HR, and other stakeholders to develop positive, creative outcomes.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to deliver multifaceted projects.
• Demonstrates patience, curiosity, and a supportive coaching approach.
• Actively listens, asks thoughtful questions, and identifies practical paths to support adoption.

AI & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Use approved AI tools to improve productivity, workflow efficiency, troubleshooting, and to analyze data.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve documentation, and strengthen repeatable engagement practices.
• Continuously improve processes, tools, and internal resources that support company successes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• An associate’s degree is preferred or relevant work experience within accounting.
• Certification within related fields is desirable but not required.
• Preferred: Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency with NetSuite or Enterprise Resource Planning software.
• Experience with payroll software, preferably with Paylocity.
• POC for Ramp.
• Familiar with Monday.com.

WORK ARRANGEMENT

This is a primarily remote role; however, onsite attendance or business travel may be required based on business needs, including company office days, team meetings, customer site visits, or other work-related activities. Frequency may vary by role and circumstance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk and hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
• The employee is occasionally required to move around.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• May require travel, depending on company needs, which may include overnight travel.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.
• Can work under deadlines.
• Position may require flexible scheduling, off-shifts, weekend, holiday, on-call, and/or overtime hours of work in accordance with department policy or procedures.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to active.

EEO STATEMENT

FirstWatch is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion & equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. All employment is based on qualifications, merit, experience, ability, job performance, and business need.

FirstWatch prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion or belief, age, sex (including pregnancy), family or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national, social or ethnic origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This job description is not a comprehensive list. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills; they are subject to change at any time and may include other tasks and duties as assigned.