Associate Accountant (1-Year)

Job Description:

Rakuten International oversees 7 businesses with over 4,000 employees globally. The brand is recognized for its leadership and innovation in e-commerce, digital content, advertising, entertainment and communications, bringing the joy of discovery and access to more than 1 billion members across the world. Our teams deliver on the company’s mission to delight merchants and customers through innovation, optimism, and teamwork.

Rakuten Viki is a global entertainment streaming platform that specializes in Asian content. Our platform enables millions of viewers to discover and enjoy primetime shows and movies, subtitled in over 150 languages. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, we also have offices in Singapore, Seoul, and Shanghai, ensuring a strong global presence and a deep connection to the heart of Asian entertainment. Our platform is home to a large and loyal community of fans who share a passion for Asian culture and entertainment. Join us in our mission to bridge cultures and connect the world to Asian entertainment. At Rakuten Viki, we offer a chance to be part of a global community that celebrates culture, creativity, and connection.

About the Role:

As an Associate Accountant specializing in Procure-to-Pay, you will be a key player in managing the entire lifecycle from purchase requisition to payment. You will be responsible for processing invoices, onboarding vendors, managing purchase orders, reconciling vendor statements, processing expense reports, and ensuring timely and accurate payments through various banking & electronic payment platforms. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a proactive individual to develop a strong foundation in accounting principles, gain hands-on experience with financial systems like Tipalti and QuickBooks, and contribute to a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Accounts Payable Management:

• Process a high volume of vendor invoices accurately and efficiently, including matching invoices to purchase orders and receiving documents.

• Verify invoice accuracy, ensuring proper coding to general ledger accounts, departments, and projects within the QuickBooks system.

• Resolve invoice discrepancies by communicating effectively with vendors and internal departments (e.g., purchasing, operations).

• Update invoices and payments in the QuickBooks system.

• Prepare and process payment runs twice per month, including setting up payments via JP Morgan Chase, SMBC, and other banking platforms.

• Prepare urgent payments as per employee or vendor’s request.

• Update the AP payment run schedule twice per month.

Vendor & Purchase Order Management:

• Onboard vendors to the Tipalti AP system, ensuring the accurate gathering of proper banking and tax forms (e.g., W-9, W-8BEN).

• Assist employees in placing Purchase Orders via the Tipalti PO system, ensuring all company policies and procedures are followed.

• Maintain organized and complete vendor files and payment records.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee & vendor inquiries regarding payment status and invoice details.

• Perform regular vendor statement reconciliations, identifying and resolving any outstanding issues.

• Assist with yearly Form 1099 and 1042-S preparation

Expense Report & Virtual Credit Card Processing:

• Onboard employees to Zoho ER system. Where needed-review employees’ Expense Report submissions and accompanying documentation for completeness and accuracy. Share ER’s monthly with HR team timely, for inclusion in staff’s payroll.

• Advise employees on creating Virtual Cards, ensuring credit card supporting documents/receipts are uploaded/saved in the VC system, as backup to Accountant.

Month-End Close Support & Financial Integrity:

• Assist with month-end closing activities related to accounts payable, including account reconciliation and preparing accruals.

• Prepare Quarterly Revenue Share (RS) accrual report.

• Substantiate financial transactions by matching, reviewing, and auditing documents such as tax forms.

• Document financial transactions by accurately entering account information.

• Reconcile financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing account information.

• Assist Analyst to collate data and prepare management reports.

• Maintain financial security by following internal controls and company policies.

Other Duties & Process Improvement:

• Participate in special projects and initiatives as assigned, aiming to enhance financial operations and efficiency.

• Identify opportunities for process efficiencies and improvements within the procure-to-pay workflow.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent coursework and/or experience in accounting.

• 1-2 years or more of experience in an accounting or finance role, preferably with exposure to accounts payable or general ledger functions.

• Strong understanding of basic accounting principles and the procure-to-pay cycle.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (e.g., be able to enter, save, sort information; familiarity with VLOOKUP and pivot tables is a plus).

• Experience with accounting systems such as QuickBooks is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with Tipalti AP/PO system, JP Morgan Chase, SMBC, and WISE payment platforms is a significant advantage.

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy are required.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees and external vendors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proactive, self-starter with a strong work ethic and a desire to learn and grow.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer:

• Opportunities for professional growth and development within a growing company.

• A collaborative, supportive, and engaging work environment.

• Exposure to various aspects of financial operations and systems.

• The chance to make a real impact on our financial processes.

Rakuten provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Rakuten considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local laws.