A staff accountant manages core accounting functions including journal entries, month-end close, and financial statement preparation. They operate with more scope than a bookkeeper and report to a Controller or CFO.
A great Staff Accountant does not just complete tasks. They own a function that directly frees you to grow. Here is what that looks like in a scaling business:
01Prepare and post monthly journal entries
02Assist with month-end and year-end close processes
03Reconcile general ledger accounts
04Support preparation of financial statements
05Assist with audits and compliance documentation
How this hire moves your business forward: A reliable staff accountant compresses your close cycle and gives leadership accurate numbers on time, every time. This directly improves your ability to plan, fundraise, and operate with confidence.
Why LatAm
Why LatAm Produces Great Staff Accountants.
LatAm staff accountants typically hold accounting degrees and have experience working with US companies, handling reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting.
The timezone overlap with the US is strong. LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time, so there is no async lag, no late-night handoffs, and no communication gap.
Skills & tools
Know What a Great Staff Accountant Actually Brings to the Table.
Beyond the resume, here are the skills, tools, and traits that separate strong performers from strong interviewers.
Hard Skills
GAAP accounting
Journal entries
Month-end close
Financial statement prep
General ledger management
Common Tools
QuickBooks
NetSuite
Excel / Google Sheets
Sage
Xero
Soft Skills & Traits
Analytically precise
Deadline-driven
Clear written communicator
Collaborative
Trustworthy with confidential data
Compensation
What You Can Expect to Pay.
Based on Sur market data and regional benchmarks. Figures reflect total cash compensation.
Seniority
US Annual
LatAm Annual
You Save
Entry
$60,000
$18,000
$42,000 / yr
Mid level
$78,000
$26,000
$52,000 / yr
Senior
$96,000
$35,000
$61,000 / yr
Spot the right hire
What to Look For, and What to Watch Out For.
Green Flags
Can walk through a full month-end close process
Has prepared financial statements independently
Comfortable with audit support
Raises issues proactively rather than waiting
Red Flags
Confuses bookkeeping tasks with accounting
Has never done a full close cycle
Cannot explain accrual vs cash accounting
Our process
Our Process for This Role.
We do not post and wait. Every Staff Accountant search we run is built from scratch around your business, your stage, your team, and your goals. And at every step, we are thinking about how this hire helps you grow.
1
Onboarding Call
We start by understanding what you actually need.
2
Role Scoping and Assessment Design
We build a precise role profile and design the custom skills assessment before we search for anyone.
3
Sourcing
We source actively across LatAm and the Caribbean and through our network.
4
Prescreening and Phone Screen
Every candidate is internally screened then put through an English phone screen.
5
Your Shortlist
3 to 5 candidates delivered early in the process with background, audio clip, and our team's recommendation.
6
Skills Assessment
Shortlisted candidates take a custom assessment built to replicate the actual work of the role.
7
Hire and Guarantee
We support the offer, help structure compensation for retention, and back every placement with a 90-day guarantee.
2-3 weeks typically. Most placements are made within 21 days of the onboarding call.
Most LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time.
All Sur placements speak fluent English. We screen for language ability on every search. Moderate English acceptable depending on exposure.
LatAm staff accountants match US counterparts in technical ability at a fraction of the cost. The primary consideration is ensuring they have experience with US GAAP and your specific software stack, which Sur screens for.
If your hire does not work out within the first 90 days for any reason, we replace them at no additional cost.
They understand US GAAP well. For tax filing and compliance, we recommend pairing them with a US-based CPA. Many LatAm accountants support CPAs during tax season effectively.
A bookkeeper records transactions. A staff accountant interprets them, closes the books, and prepares financial statements. If you need reporting and analysis, you need an accountant.
Ready to Hire a Staff Accountant Who Actually Moves the Needle?
Let us design the role together and find you the right person from LatAm.