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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Revenue Supervisor

💰 $95,000 - $130,000

FinanceAccountingRevenue ManagementLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

The Revenue Supervisor is a key leadership position within the Accounting and Finance organization, acting as the primary owner of the end-to-end revenue accounting cycle. This role is not just about crunching numbers; it's about safeguarding the company's top line and ensuring its integrity. The supervisor leads a dedicated team of revenue accountants, providing mentorship, guidance, and oversight for all revenue-related activities, from contract review to month-end close. As a critical partner to Sales, Legal, and Operations, this individual provides expert guidance on revenue recognition implications for new deals and business initiatives, ensuring compliance with ASC 606 and other relevant regulations. This position is the backbone of accurate financial reporting and is instrumental in scaling revenue operations for future growth.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Revenue Accountant
  • Senior Accountant (with heavy revenue focus)
  • Senior Financial Analyst (FP&A)

Advancement To:

  • Revenue Manager
  • Assistant Controller
  • Technical Accounting Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • FP&A Supervisor
  • Senior Internal Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Oversee the entire month-end revenue close process, ensuring all revenue transactions are recorded accurately, completely, and in a timely manner in accordance with US GAAP and ASC 606.
  • Manage, mentor, and develop a team of revenue accountants, fostering a collaborative environment and providing ongoing training, performance feedback, and career guidance.
  • Meticulously review complex revenue-related journal entries, detailed account reconciliations (including deferred revenue and unbilled AR), and flux analyses to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for external and internal auditors regarding all revenue-related inquiries, preparing PBC schedules and providing clear, concise explanations for audit selections.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Legal, and Deal Desk teams to review non-standard contracts and sales agreements, providing expert guidance on revenue recognition implications.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain robust internal controls over the revenue cycle to ensure Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance and mitigate financial risk.
  • Drive process improvement initiatives within the revenue function to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability, including the automation of manual tasks and refinement of workflows.
  • Analyze and maintain the company's Standalone Selling Price (SSP) analysis for multiple performance obligations, ensuring it is updated regularly and applied correctly.
  • Prepare and present detailed revenue variance analysis and key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management, providing insightful commentary on trends, risks, and opportunities.
  • Manage and reconcile deferred revenue waterfall schedules, ensuring the integrity of data and the accuracy of future revenue projections.
  • Partner with the FP&A team to support revenue forecasting and budgeting processes by providing historical data, trend analysis, and insights into revenue recognition timing.
  • Assist in the preparation of revenue-related disclosures for SEC filings (Forms 10-Q and 10-K), ensuring they are accurate and compliant with public reporting requirements.
  • Lead the implementation and ongoing maintenance of revenue recognition systems and software (e.g., NetSuite ARM, Zuora Revenue), serving as the subject matter expert for the team.
  • Document and maintain comprehensive revenue accounting policies and procedures, ensuring they are up-to-date with the latest accounting standards and business practices.
  • Take ownership of complex revenue streams, including professional services, subscriptions, and usage-based models, ensuring each is accounted for correctly.
  • Investigate and resolve revenue discrepancies and irregularities by liaising with billing, collections, and customer support teams.
  • Support M&A activities by participating in due diligence and leading the integration of revenue accounting processes for acquired companies.
  • Calculate and manage complex accounting treatments, such as sales commissions under ASC 606/340-40, ensuring proper amortization and capitalization.
  • Provide technical accounting research and memos on complex revenue recognition issues, presenting findings and recommendations to the Corporate Controller and senior leadership.
  • Lead special projects related to revenue integrity, system enhancements, and new product introductions, ensuring accounting requirements are met from the outset.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from executive leadership and other business partners.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data governance strategy and financial systems roadmap.
  • Collaborate with IT and business units to translate new business needs into technical requirements for financial systems.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for projects impacting the quote-to-cash ecosystem.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expertise in Revenue Recognition (ASC 606): Deep, practical knowledge of the five-step model and its application to complex contracts, particularly in SaaS or technology industries.
  • US GAAP: Strong command of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the ability to research and document technical accounting positions.
  • ERP Systems: Hands-on proficiency with major ERP systems, especially NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle, including advanced revenue management (ARM) modules.
  • Revenue Automation Tools: Experience with specialized revenue software such as Zuora Revenue, RevPro, or similar platforms.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel: Ability to build and maintain complex financial models, waterfalls, and reconciliations using pivot tables, v-lookups, and advanced formulas.
  • SOX Compliance: Solid understanding of internal controls over financial reporting and experience designing, implementing, and testing controls for the revenue cycle.
  • Financial Reporting & SEC Filings: Familiarity with the preparation of financial statements and related disclosures for Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
  • Data Analysis & SQL: Ability to query databases (SQL) and perform data analysis to investigate issues and support conclusions.
  • Salesforce (CRM): Experience navigating Salesforce or a similar CRM to understand deal structures, contracts, and order forms.
  • Month-End Close Management: Proven ability to manage a team and execute a timely and accurate financial close process.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Mentorship: A natural ability to lead, coach, and develop a team of accounting professionals.
  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous and precise approach to reviewing work to ensure accuracy in all financial records.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: The capacity to analyze complex problems, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with non-accounting departments.
  • Clear & Concise Communication: Ability to articulate complex accounting concepts clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences, both verbally and in writing.
  • Process Improvement Mindset: A proactive desire to challenge the status quo and find more efficient and effective ways of working.
  • Time Management & Prioritization: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: The ability to remain effective and composed while navigating change, ambiguity, and competing demands.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree in Accounting (MAcc) or Business Administration (MBA)
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2-3 years focused specifically on revenue recognition.

Preferred:

  • A combination of experience in a "Big 4" or national public accounting firm and in a corporate accounting role.
  • Prior experience directly managing or leading a team of accountants.
  • Industry experience in SaaS, software, technology, or another recurring revenue business model is highly desirable.