Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for General Accounting Manager

💰 $115,000 - $160,000

AccountingFinanceManagement

🎯 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.