Senior Accountant

Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on. 

Job Description:

Semafor is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our Accounting & Finance team and take ownership of core general ledger and month-end close activities as we build out our in-house accounting function. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented accounting professional with a solid foundation in month-end close, journal entries, and account reconciliations, who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven corporate finance environment. This role will work closely with the Controller to strengthen processes, internal controls, and documentation, and will partner with FP&A on cost analysis and reporting. The successful candidate is comfortable wearing many hats, working independently and as part of a team, and adapting to shifting priorities within a rapidly growing media company. Prior experience in the media industry is a plus. This position offers meaningful growth potential as the accounting & finance team continues to scale.

What You’ll Do:

Key Responsibilities

• Own the month-end close process, ensuring all close deliverables are completed accurately and on a timely basis.
• Prepare and post journal entries in accordance with GAAP, ensuring transactions are properly recorded and supported.
• Prepare and analyze monthly account reconciliations for assigned balance sheet and income statement accounts, researching and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Manage intercompany transactions and reconciliations across entities, ensuring balances tie out and are properly eliminated in consolidation 
• Review the general ledger for accurate coding across all financial dimensions (department, project, entity, etc.), proactively identifying and correcting miscoded transactions.
• Assist with accounts payable tasks as needed, including invoice coding, vendor inquiries, and payment support.
• Partner with FP&A on analysis and reporting, including cost analysis, variance analysis, and ad hoc reporting requests.
• Assist the Controller in further developing accounting processes, internal controls, and documentation.
• Support the Controller with audits, special projects, and ad hoc analyses as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows and month-end close efficiency, and assist in implementing process improvements.
• Comfortable wearing many hats and adapting to shifting priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven corporate finance environment.

What You Offer

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field from an accredited university or college; CPA or CPA candidate a plus.
• 4+ years of progressive accounting experience, including month-end close, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and general ledger accounting principles.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills with a strong emphasis on Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, financial modeling).
• Experience with a general ledger/ERP system (e.g., NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks) required; Bill.com or similar AP platform experience is a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with proven organizational and time management skills and a strong sense of ownership and accuracy.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven corporate finance role, with the ability to manage competing priorities under tight timelines.
• Experience in the media, publishing, or entertainment industry is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and works well in a team environment.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Compensation:

The base salary for this position at the time of posting will range from $110,000 - $145,000 in addition to an annual bonus incentive. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility, and qualifications. 

Additional job details

Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.