Accounting Manager

Bigelow Tea•Fairfield, CT

About The Position

SUMMARY: The Accounting Manager is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Accounting Department, including accounts payable, general ledger and the month-end close. This role ensures the accuracy of financial data, compliance with company policies and GAAP, adequacy of internal controls and drives process improvement. The Accounting Manager leads a team and partners cross-functionally to drive process improvements/operational efficiency and works closely with the outside auditors. This position plays a key role in supporting the Controller on special projects and leads initiatives that support organizational growth. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: General Accounting Oversee the maintenance of the general ledger, ensuring accurate recording of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Manage all aspects of month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations. Ensure compliance with GAAP and corporate accounting policies. Prepare and review account reconciliations, analyses, and supporting documentation. Working with the FP&A team, support the preparation of financial statements and management reports for stakeholders. Review and approve journal entries and ensure timely posting of transactions. Accounts Payable Management Supervise the accounts’ payable function, ensuring timely and accurate vendor payments and expense recognition. Maintain vendor master data integrity and oversee compliance with company purchasing and approval policies. Review aging reports, manage payment schedules, and resolve vendor issues promptly. Identify and implement opportunities to streamline AP workflows and increase automation. Internal Controls & Process Improvement Design, monitor, and continuously strengthen internal control procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. Lead initiatives to standardize accounting processes and drive efficiencies Collaborate with IT and Finance teams to identify opportunities for process automation and ERP enhancements. Audit & Compliance Coordinate and support annual financial statement audits Prepare audit schedules, respond to auditor requests, and ensure timely issue resolution. Leadership & Collaboration Supervise, train, and develop a team of professionals to promote accuracy, efficiency, and growth. Communicate effectively with Finance, FP&A, Operations, and other departments to support cross- functional objectives. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the accounting team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting; CPA or CMA preferred.
Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 4 years in a supervisory or management role.
Strong technical accounting knowledge and familiarity with U.S. GAAP.
Demonstrated experience managing month-end close and audits.
Proficiency in ERP systems
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Proven success in implementing process improvements and internal control enhancements.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Effective communicator with strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a consumer packaged goods (CPG) or manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
Exposure to inventory accounting, trade deductions, and cost analysis a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee the maintenance of the general ledger, ensuring accurate recording of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses.
Manage all aspects of month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations.
Ensure compliance with GAAP and corporate accounting policies.
Prepare and review account reconciliations, analyses, and supporting documentation.
Working with the FP&A team, support the preparation of financial statements and management reports for stakeholders.
Review and approve journal entries and ensure timely posting of transactions.
Supervise the accounts’ payable function, ensuring timely and accurate vendor payments and expense recognition.
Maintain vendor master data integrity and oversee compliance with company purchasing and approval policies.
Review aging reports, manage payment schedules, and resolve vendor issues promptly.
Identify and implement opportunities to streamline AP workflows and increase automation.
Design, monitor, and continuously strengthen internal control procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.
Lead initiatives to standardize accounting processes and drive efficiencies
Collaborate with IT and Finance teams to identify opportunities for process automation and ERP enhancements.
Coordinate and support annual financial statement audits
Prepare audit schedules, respond to auditor requests, and ensure timely issue resolution.
Supervise, train, and develop a team of professionals to promote accuracy, efficiency, and growth.
Communicate effectively with Finance, FP&A, Operations, and other departments to support cross- functional objectives.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the accounting team.