Temporary Accounting Associate

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Temporary Accounting Associate joins Empower Pharmacy for a paid, full-time, 10-week rotational program supporting reliable financial operations in a hyper-growth, highly regulated 503A/503B environment. Working remotely across accounts payable, general ledger, and cost accounting, this role contributes to accurate transactions, reconciliations, variance analysis, and two month-end closes. The associate develops practical judgment through structured assignments, disciplined documentation, timely escalation, and collaboration with accounting colleagues. A capstone project examines accounts payable invoice processing, tests a controlled automation prototype using sample or historical data, and presents measured improvement opportunities for review. Approved AI tools may support drafting or analysis when outputs are verified and confidentiality requirements are followed. Success means delivering accurate work, learning quickly, meeting close deadlines, and recommending improvements without compromising financial controls or accountability throughout the rotational program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Accounting Operations

• Invoice Processing: Process and code vendor invoices, verify purchase order and receipt matches, reconcile vendor statements, and support accurate payment preparation.
• Ledger Maintenance: Prepare journal entries and accruals, reconcile balance sheet accounts, and investigate discrepancies with appropriate supporting documentation and timely escalation.
• Cost Analysis: Support inventory valuation checks, standard cost reviews, variance analysis, and cost roll-forward activities to improve financial accuracy and reporting.

Financial Controls and Execution

• Close Support: Participate in two month-end closes, complete assigned checklist activities, and improve reconciliation accuracy, timeliness, and independence between cycles.
• Data Analysis: Extract, validate, and analyze accounting information using Excel, ERP reports, and approved tools to identify exceptions and support decisions.
• Control Compliance: Maintain organized, audit-ready records, follow accounting policies and confidentiality requirements, and promptly escalate errors, exceptions, or control concerns.

Process Improvement and Collaboration

• Process Assessment: Document existing accounts payable workflows, identify manual activities and process gaps, and establish baseline measures for invoice processing performance.
• Automation Prototype: Develop and test an invoice processing improvement using sample or historical data, evaluate results, and preserve required approval controls.
• Results Communication: Present capstone findings, measured outcomes, and recommendations; collaborate with accounting colleagues and document lessons learned throughout each rotation.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Working knowledge of financial accounting principles, journal entries, account reconciliations, accounts payable processes, and month-end close activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, filtering, and data organization, with the ability to interpret financial information accurately.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to investigate discrepancies, assess process performance, validate results, and recommend practical improvements supported by data.
• Strong organizational, written communication, and time management skills, with sound judgment regarding confidentiality, financial controls, and remote collaboration.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field, with equivalent relevant preparation considered. (Required)
• Completion of introductory financial accounting coursework and demonstrated proficiency in Excel, including basic formulas, sorting, filtering, and lookups. (Required)
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment, communicate effectively, maintain numerical accuracy, and meet deadlines during month-end activities. (Required)
• Authorization to work in the United States and availability for the full-time, 10-week, temporary, hourly rotational program. (Required)
• Intermediate or cost accounting coursework, familiarity with ERP systems, exposure to data visualization or analysis tools, or prior finance-related experience. (Preferred)