Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Accounting Manager

💰 $70,000 - $120,000 per year

AccountingFinanceManagementLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

As an Accounting Manager, you will serve as the financial backbone of the organisation, overseeing the accounting department and driving accurate, timely financial reporting, robust controls, regulatory compliance and strategic insight. You will lead a team of accounting professionals, liaise with senior management, implement best‑practice processes and ensure the accounting function supports growth, efficiency and trust in financial data.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Accountant
  • Assistant Controller
  • Accounting Supervisor

Advancement To:

  • Controller
  • Finance Director
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Financial Reporting Manager
  • Business Partner – Finance

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  1. Lead the day‑to‑day operations of the accounting department including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets and bank reconciliations.
  2. Manage the month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end close processes, prepare and present financial statements in accordance with GAAP or IFRS.
  3. Oversee and review journal entries, accruals, reserves and inter‑company reconciliations to ensure accuracy and completeness of the financial books.
  4. Conduct account reconciliations of balance sheet, sub‑ledgers, cash and fixed asset modules and ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
  5. Develop, implement and maintain internal controls, accounting policies and procedures to safeguard assets and ensure compliance.
  6. Coordinate and prepare for external audits, liaise with auditors and ensure timely preparation of audit schedules, documentation and reports.
  7. Prepare and file tax returns, regulatory filings and ensure compliance with local, state and federal accounting and tax regulations.
  8. Manage budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and financial modelling to support strategic decision‑making.
  9. Analyse financial results, monitor performance metrics, highlight trends, risks and opportunities and present insights to senior leadership.
  10. Supervise, mentor and train accounting staff; conduct performance reviews; build and maintain a high‑performing accounting team.
  11. Support system implementations or upgrades (ERP/ accounting modules), process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
  12. Facilitate cash flow management and working capital optimisation including forecasting cash needs, monitoring collections and payables.
  13. Review and reconcile vendor and customer accounts, oversee accounts receivable collections and accounts payable disbursements.
  14. Collaborate with other departments (e.g., operations, sales, procurement) to ensure accounting entries reflect business activities and align with strategic goals.
  15. Maintain fixed asset registers, depreciation schedules, ensure physical asset counts and reconciliations of asset accounts.
  16. Monitor regulatory and legislative changes in accounting and tax standards, and proactively update policies and practices accordingly.
  17. Prepare and deliver monthly and annual financial statements, reports and disclosures to internal and external stakeholders.
  18. Drive cost control initiatives, identify opportunities for process efficiencies, and support continuous improvement of accounting operations.
  19. Oversee multi‑company, multi‑entity or international accounting operations where applicable (including intercompany reconciliations and global statutory filings).
  20. Serve as a trusted business partner to senior management by providing timely, relevant and actionable financial insight and recommendations.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad‑hoc financial data requests and exploratory analysis for management decision‑making.
  • Contribute to the organisation’s finance and accounting roadmap, including systems, controls and process enhancements.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate accounting needs into operational workflows and improvements.
  • Participate in cross‑functional projects, budgeting and strategic initiatives beyond the accounting department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and/or IFRS.
  • Strong experience in financial statement preparation, general ledger management, month/quarter/year‑end close.
  • Proficiency in accounting software and enterprise resource planning systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, QuickBooks, etc.).
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel and data‑analysis skills (pivot tables, formulas, data manipulation).
  • Strong budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and financial modelling capabilities.
  • Ability to establish and monitor internal controls, policies and procedures.
  • Experience with audit coordination, tax filings, regulatory compliance and reconciliations.
  • Working knowledge of cash flow management, working capital optimisation & multi‑entity accounting.
  • Ability to interpret financial data, identify trends, risks and translate into insights for non‑financial stakeholders.
  • Experience in implementing process improvements, system upgrades or automation initiatives in an accounting environment.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and team‑management capabilities, including mentoring and developing accounting staff.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present financial information clearly to senior leadership and stakeholders.
  • Outstanding organisational skills and ability to prioritise multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
  • High attention to detail and quality‑oriented mindset to ensure accuracy and integrity of accounting records.
  • Strategic thinker with ability to see the “big‑picture” and align accounting operations with business goals.
  • Analytical mindset and problem‑solving capability to identify root causes, develop solutions and improve processes.
  • Proactive and self‑motivated, able to work with minimal supervision and take ownership of results.
  • Collaborative and business‑oriented: comfortable working cross‑functionally and influencing non‑accounting stakeholders.
  • Adaptable and open to change: able to lead or support system implementations, process redesigns and evolving business needs.
  • Integrity and strong ethical standards – trusted to manage sensitive financial information and uphold compliance and governance standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.

Preferred Education:
Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration, or professional certification (CPA, CMA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Business Administration
  • Economics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
5‑10 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

Preferred:
Experience in multi‑entity or international accounting, ERP system implementation, public accounting or audit background.

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