Staff Accountant - Asset/Lease Purchase

Job Title: Staff Accountant - Assets

Department: Accounting

Location: Remote

Reports To: Assistant Controller

Position Type: Full-time

Company Overview

Gulf Winds International, Inc. is a leading provider of drayage, transloading, and storage, serving importers and exporters globally. The Company prides itself on innovation, people, and purpose, redefining expectations for intermodal trucking. With a robust presence at major ports, including Houston, Dallas, Mobile, Memphis, Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore, and Chicago, Gulf Winds is dedicated to delivering top-notch services through continuous investment in technology and infrastructure. Ownership: The company is backed by The Sterling Group, a Houston-based private equity firm. Since 1982, The Sterling Group has partnered with management teams to grow and build winning businesses in the industrial sector. Over 75% of Sterling’s past partnerships have been with family businesses and corporate carve-outs. Sterling excels as a partner bringing its operational focus and expertise to support company objectives. Today, Sterling has over $5.7 billion in assets under management.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Staff Accountant with a primary focus on managing our asset program, including overseeing our Lease Purchase Program. This role is critical for maintaining accurate financial records, fostering strong relationships with drivers involved in the Lease Purchase Program, and ensuring compliance with financial and operational standards. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, exhibits excellent communication skills, and possesses strong analytical abilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Lease Purchase Program Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all Lease Purchase Program communications with drivers, banks, and internal departments.
• Execute and maintain lease purchase contracts with drivers, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Manage lease purchase agreements, payments, and refinance requests, including tracking balances, repairs, contracts, payment schedules, and amortization schedules.
• Develop and maintain dashboards to provide management with status updates on the Lease Purchase Program, including key metrics and progress reports.
• Facilitate mileage reporting for HGAC trucks and communicate grant program progress to drivers.
• Provide Fair Market Value (FMV) assessments for lease purchase vehicles as required.

Asset Accounting:

• Record and maintain asset acquisitions, losses, sales, and depreciation in the financial system.
• Manage the fixed asset register to ensure accuracy and compliance with GAAP.
• Provide financial research to the Controller, leadership team, and executives as needed.
• Supply audit support and reporting as needed.

Lease Accounting:

• Input lease data into dedicated lease management software and maintain accurate records.
• Record monthly lease payments, rent expense, and related accruals as per accounting standards.
• Regularly reconcile lease accounts to ensure accuracy and identify discrepancies.
• Provide necessary documentation and support to auditors.

Cross-Functional Support:

• Utilize internal systems to manage assets and lease purchase requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline asset and lease purchase processes.
• Provide backup financial research and reporting support during financial closings or upon request.

General Accounting & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies regarding assets and lease purchases.
• Assist with audits by preparing and providing documentation related to asset and lease purchase activities.
• Participate in special projects and perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management or the executive team.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required.
• 1-2 years of accounting experience, with specific knowledge of asset management, lease management and ASC842 preferred.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar), lease management software and advanced Excel skills.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Independent thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational aptitude.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Impeccable follow-through and a commitment to providing quality customer service.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus.