Senior Staff Accountant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Milwaukee Repertory Theater

What We Are Looking For:

• You are known for your exceptional accuracy and commitment to getting the details right every time.
• Efficiency is your hallmark. You implement processes that balance speed with quality and precision.
• Time management is your superpower. You prioritize tasks and manage deadlines to keep everything moving forward with clarity and reliability

Position Summary

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is seeking a detail-oriented and systems-minded Sr Staff Accountant. The ideal candidate will

combine strong attention to detail with strategic thinking, excel at problem-solving and process improvement, and thrive as a

versatile team player in a fast-paced arts environment. This role offers significant growth opportunities for an accounting

professional passionate about supporting the theater's mission while building efficient systems and communicating effectively

across all departments.

Accounts Payable and Vendor Management

Core Operations

• Process invoices, code entries, and maintain vendor records with accuracy
• Coordinate with various departments to ensure invoices are processed accurately and posted correctly to the general
• ledger
• Prepare ad hoc payments (checks, wires)
• Reconcile vendor statements and investigate discrepancies
• Ensure complete and accurate reflection of all AP transactions in the accounting system, including proper expense coding,
• accruals, and liability tracking

Credit Card Program Management

• Administer the company credit card system, including cardholder setup and policy enforcement
• Monitor credit card transactions for policy compliance and appropriate business use
• Manage the monthly credit card reconciliation process, ensuring all charges are properly reviewed, approved, and coded
• Ensure credit card transactions are accurately recorded in the accounting system with proper documentation and GL coding
• Address policy violations and work with cardholders to resolve missing receipts or documentation

1099 Contractor and Contract Administration

• Maintain contractor and agent contracts, understand contract terms and structure payments
• Set up vendors in system with correct payment structures
• Manage 1099 year-end reporting and reconciliation
• Organize and maintain contract filing system
• Identify multi-year contracts for audit purposes
• Flag upcoming contract renewals or expirations

Operations Accounting

Bank and Cash Management

• Monitor bank account daily for fraud alerts and deposits
• Perform bank reconciliation (Controller reviews for internal controls)
• Deposit checks to the bank as needed

Sales Tax

• File sales tax returns on schedule
• Process sales tax payments
• Reconcile sales tax to GL

Insurance and Administrative

• Organize and track commercial insurance policies and renewals
• Collect and maintain current driver's licenses from employees
• Provide updated driver's license list to insurance agents
• Serve as point of contact for insurance-related questions and changes

Royalty Payments

• Calculate royalty payments based on show activity and contract terms
• Process royalty payments through AP
• Ensure payments are recorded correctly in GL
• Track and reconcile royalty accruals

Month-End Close and Financial Reporting

Close and Reporting

• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including preparation and review of journal entries
• Perform general ledger account reconciliations and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner
• Review monthly balance sheet and income statement for accuracy; support preparation of financial reporting packages

Additional Responsibilities

• Support management with ad-hoc financial analysis and special projects
• Collaborate with department heads on budget planning and financial planning
• Support grant reporting and compliance requirements
• Serve as backup coverage for various team members during planned leaves and absences
• Prepare audit schedules and respond to auditor requests during financial and compliance audits
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvements and workflow efficiencies within the finance function

Requirements of the Position

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree, in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3-5 years of direct accounting experience, preferably in nonprofit or arts organization
• CPA or CPA-track preferred

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in any type of accounting software (Milwaukee Rep uses Abila MIP)
• Experience with AP systems and software is essential (Milwaukee Rep uses Bill.com)
• Strong understanding of balance sheet reconciliation processes
• Familiarity with nonprofit accounting principles and fund accounting preferred
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and data analysis

Core Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail with ability to maintain accuracy under tight deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Systems thinking with drive to improve processes and build efficiency
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and manage priorities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across departments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Curiosity and eagerness to learn all aspects of theater financial operations
• Flexibility and adaptability to take on diverse responsibilities and provide backup support
• Proactive problem-solver with a continuous improvement and process efficiency mindset

What We Offer

• Collaborative, creative work environment with passionate colleagues
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to contribute to a thriving arts organization making significant community impact

Physical Demands

This role includes working at a computer for several hours daily, maintaining prolonged static postures,

performing repetitive hand and wrist movements, sustaining visual focus on screens, and enduring extended

periods of sitting. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made

to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.