Accounting Associate - Private Aviation

Accounting Associate – Private Aviation

Location: Addison, Texas Work Arrangement: On-site Employment Type: Full-time Industry: Private Aviation / Aircraft Management / Charter

Position Overview

PlaneSmart Aviation is seeking a hands-on Accounting Manager / Senior Accountant to join our growing private aviation company in Addison, Texas.

This on-site role is responsible for day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, cash management, and month-end close. The ideal candidate is comfortable in a fast-paced aviation environment where accuracy, confidentiality, organization, and attention to detail are essential.

You will work closely with company leadership, operations, aircraft owners, vendors, and outside CPA and tax professionals to keep our financial records accurate, timely, and well maintained.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting

• Manage day-to-day general ledger accounting activities.
• Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation.
• Perform monthly bank, credit card, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, prepaids, and adjusting entries.
• Lead day-to-day activities for the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close.
• Prepare and review monthly Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet reports.
• Analyze account balances and investigate unusual transactions or variances.
• Maintain an organized, audit-ready accounting environment.

Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable

• Manage the full AP and AR cycle.
• Review, code, and process vendor invoices.
• Prepare vendor payments and monitor payment schedules.
• Generate customer invoices and statements.
• Monitor receivables aging and follow up on outstanding balances.
• Reconcile customer and vendor accounts.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with vendors, customers, and service providers.

Payroll Support

• Support payroll processing and reconcile payroll entries to the general ledger.

Aviation Accounting

• Track aircraft-specific operating expenses and revenue.
• Account for fuel, maintenance, hangar, insurance, crew, landing fees, FBO charges, international charges, subscriptions, and other aviation-related expenses.
• Track expenses and revenue by aircraft, owner, trip, department, or operating entity as appropriate.
• Reconcile charter and aircraft management activity to accounting records.
• Maintain and reconcile aircraft maintenance reserves.
• Support aircraft acquisition, disposition, and capital expenditure accounting as needed.
• Track fixed assets and depreciation schedules for aircraft and related equipment.
• Review aircraft operating costs and identify discrepancies or unusual activity.

Multi-Entity & Owner Accounting

• Maintain separate accounting records for multiple related entities and operating accounts.
• Record and reconcile intercompany transactions.
• Support aircraft owner statements and reporting.
• Assist with owner-level expense allocations and reconciliations.
• Ensure transactions are properly classified among company, aircraft, and owner accounts.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Produce monthly financial statements and management reports.
• Prepare budget-to-actual and variance analysis.
• Work alongside management and leadership to provide visibility into cash flow, operating expenses, aircraft profitability, and overall financial performance.
• Develop reporting that helps leadership understand the economics of individual aircraft and aviation operations.
• Assist with annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow planning.

Tax, Audit & Compliance Support

• Work closely with the company's outside CPA, tax advisors, and attorneys as needed.
• Provide schedules and supporting documentation for tax filings.
• Assist with annual tax preparation and financial reviews.
• Maintain documentation required for audits, financial reviews, and FAA reviews.
• Ensure accounting procedures are consistent with U.S. GAAP and company policies.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and internal controls.
• Establish standardized procedures for AP, AR, reconciliations, reporting, and documentation.
• Improve the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting.
• Help implement accounting technology, automation, and reporting tools where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• 4+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of general ledger accounting and financial statements.
• Experience with month-end close, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with QuickBooks or another major accounting or ERP system.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Ability to handle confidential financial and ownership information professionally.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach.

Preferred Experience

• Private aviation, aircraft management, charter, FBO, MRO, or related aviation experience.
• Experience with multi-entity accounting.
• Experience with aircraft fixed assets and depreciation.
• Experience with maintenance reserves or aircraft operating cost accounting.
• Experience preparing owner statements or aircraft-level financial reports.
• CPA firm or public accounting experience.
• CPA license or CPA-track background.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting professional who wants ownership of the numbers rather than simply processing transactions. You should be comfortable moving between detailed bookkeeping, financial analysis, vendor issues, aircraft expenses, month-end close, and conversations with company leadership.

Aviation experience is highly desirable, but a strong accountant with excellent fundamentals and an interest in private aviation will also be considered.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary based on experience
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities

Work Environment

This is an on-site position in Addison, Texas, within the North Dallas private aviation community. The role works closely with aviation operations and company leadership and requires regular interaction with teams across aircraft management, maintenance, charter, and sales at PlaneSmart Aviation.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional additional hours during month-end close or other critical accounting periods.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PlaneSmart Aviation is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

**Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.