Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for General Accounting Manager
💰 $115,000 - $160,000
🎯 Role Definition
This role requires a hands-on and strategic General Accounting Manager to join our growing finance team. In this critical role, you will be the backbone of our accounting department, responsible for managing the day-to-day accounting operations and ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of financial information. You will lead a team of general ledger accountants, fostering their professional growth while driving process improvements and scaling our systems. This position is ideal for a seasoned accounting professional with strong leadership skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about building robust, compliant, and efficient accounting functions.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Senior Accountant
- Accounting Supervisor
- Assistant Controller (at a smaller organization)
Advancement To:
- Assistant Controller
- Controller
- Director of Accounting
Lateral Moves:
- Financial Reporting Manager
- FP&A Manager
- Internal Audit Manager
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing general accounting team, overseeing daily activities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Manage the full-cycle month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing process, ensuring all deadlines are met and financial data is accurate and complete.
- Oversee the maintenance and integrity of the general ledger, ensuring all transactions are recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
- Review and approve complex journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and account analyses prepared by the accounting team.
- Drive the preparation and review of internal and external financial statements and reporting packages for management and key stakeholders.
- Ensure robust internal controls are in place and operating effectively, maintaining compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for external and internal auditors, managing audit requests and ensuring the timely resolution of any findings.
- Champion process improvement initiatives to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the accounting and close processes, leveraging automation and system enhancements.
- Manage accounting for complex areas such as revenue recognition (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), stock-based compensation, and business combinations.
- Oversee and review intercompany accounting transactions, reconciliations, and eliminations to ensure accuracy for consolidated financial reporting.
- Maintain the company's fixed asset sub-ledger, including additions, disposals, and monthly depreciation calculations.
- Develop, implement, and document accounting policies, procedures, and best practices to strengthen a scalable financial infrastructure.
peg- Research and conclude on the accounting treatment for new or unusual transactions, preparing technical accounting memos to support conclusions. - Collaborate closely with the FP&A team to support the budget and forecast process and to investigate and explain variances to actuals.
- Assist in the implementation and optimization of a new ERP system and other financial software to support company growth.
- Manage the accounting for cash, accounts receivable, accrued expenses, prepaids, and other key balance sheet accounts.
- Support treasury functions, including cash flow forecasting and monitoring of bank-related activities.
- Partner with the tax department to provide necessary information for federal, state, and local tax filings and ensure tax compliance.
- Prepare and present financial analysis and reports to senior leadership, providing insights into financial performance.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support the career development of direct reports.
Secondary Functions
- Support M&A due diligence and the subsequent integration of accounting functions for acquired entities.
- Act as a key stakeholder in cross-functional projects, representing the accounting team and providing financial insights.
- Develop and deliver training to the broader organization on new accounting policies, procedures, or systems.
- Assist in the preparation of board materials and other executive-level presentations.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Expert knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- High proficiency with large-scale ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, index/match, and complex formula creation.
seeing the integrity of the - Strong understanding of internal control frameworks and SOX compliance requirements. - Proven experience in technical accounting research, interpretation, and memo documentation.
- Experience managing the full-cycle accounting close process in a complex, multi-entity environment.
- Familiarity with financial reporting and disclosure requirements.
- Proficiency with reconciliation and close management software (e.g., BlackLine).
Soft Skills
- Exceptional leadership and team-building skills with a proven ability to mentor and develop staff.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, capable of explaining complex accounting concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
- Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and data integrity.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- A proactive and collaborative mindset with the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships.
- Adaptability and comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced, and high-growth environment.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
- Master's Degree in Accounting or Business Administration (MBA)
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Accounting
- Finance
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a demonstrated history of leadership and managing accounting teams. A blend of public accounting and private industry experience is highly desirable.
Preferred:
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license is strongly preferred.
- Experience in a "Big 4" or national public accounting firm.