Senior Accountant – Payroll & Small Business Services (Manager Track)

Senior Accountant – Payroll & Small Business Services (Manager Track)Schwan Financial GroupAberdeen, South DakotaPosition SummarySchwan Financial Group is seeking a Senior Accountant to lead our Small Business Services department. This is a unique leadership opportunity designed as part of a planned succession. During your first year, you'll develop under the guidance of the current Manager, gaining firsthand knowledge of our clients, systems, and operations before transitioning into the department's leadership role.In this position, you'll oversee a small team while managing bookkeeping, payroll, financial reporting, and client accounting services. You'll also play an important role in improving processes, mentoring staff, strengthening client relationships, and helping shape the future of our growing accounting services division.This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys leadership, continuous improvement, client interaction, and building long-term solutions within a well-established financial services firm.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop under the guidance of the current Manager during a planned succession before assuming leadership of the department.Lead and support a team responsible for bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting services.Oversee bookkeeping functions, including bank and investment reconciliations, journal entries, depreciation schedules, accrued expenses, prepaid expenses, related-party transactions, and financial statement preparation.Manage payroll processing and related compliance, including payroll deposits, EFTPS, quarterly payroll reports, W-2s, W-3s, 1099s, 1096s, and other required filings.Prepare annual and quarterly financial reports for clients.Assist new clients with QuickBooks setup and accounting system implementation.Develop, improve, and standardize processes for Small Business Services.Create and maintain departmental procedures and training documentation.Streamline billing processes for small business clients.Provide bookkeeping and payroll training and ongoing support to accounting and tax staff.Supervise and mentor bookkeeping staff and interns.Make recommendations to improve accounting, payroll, and tax procedures.Complete annual reports, monthly transactions, account reconciliations, journal entries, and required payroll filings for assigned entities.Build strong client relationships while serving as a trusted accounting resource.Stay current on accounting, payroll, and industry best practices.Prepare reports, correspondence, and client documentation.Communicate effectively with clients, staff, and leadership.Participate in meetings, educational opportunities, and special projects.Contribute to a collaborative, professional team environment.Perform other duties as assigned.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.3+ years of professional accounting and payroll experience.Strong understanding of accounting principles, bookkeeping procedures, payroll processing, and financial reporting.Experience preparing reconciliations, journal entries, payroll tax filings, and financial statements.Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.Ability to manage confidential financial information with discretion.Preferred QualificationsExperience with QuickBooks.Experience using payroll and accounting software.Previous leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience.Public accounting or client-service experience is a plus.Compensation, Benefits & MoreCompensation$57,000-$62,000 annuallyBenefits100% employer-paid health insurance100% employer-paid dental insurance401(k) with 4% company matchPaid holidaysSix paid Summer Fridays in addition to PTOMedical reimbursement toward deductiblesPaid time offLong-term disability insuranceTuition reimbursementScheduleMonday-Friday8:00 AM-5:00 PMJob TypeFull-TimeLocationAberdeen, South Dakota (On-site)