Accounting Manager

Aston Carter•Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Accounting Manager role sits within a high-volume, multi-location retail organization and combines primary ownership of long-term assets and lease accounting with broader month-end close and general ledger responsibilities. This position leads key accounting processes, supports external audits, and drives process and system improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability. The Accounting Manager also develops and coaches team members, partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders, and plays a critical role in building a strong, SOX-ready control environment.

Requirements

5+ years of accounting experience required, including progressive responsibilities in general ledger, month-end close, and financial reporting.
Experience in a multi-unit, high-volume retail or similar environment, with exposure to complex, multi-location operations.
Strong general ledger experience, including journal entry preparation, reconciliations, month-end close, and audit preparation.
Demonstrated experience with long-term asset and fixed asset accounting, including capital projects and related reporting.
Hands-on experience with lease accounting and ASC 842, including accounting for large portfolios of office leases.
Proficiency in evaluating and accounting for SaaS contracts and cloud computing arrangements within a fixed asset and project accounting framework.
Oracle Cloud experience strongly preferred; experience with large ERP systems such as SAP is acceptable.
Experience with Blackline for account reconciliations and related close processes preferred.
Experience with lease administration or lease accounting tools such as ProLease preferred.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and complex formulas.
Proven ability to lead and develop accounting staff, including coaching, performance management, and workload planning.
Strong understanding of internal controls and experience supporting or building toward a SOX-compliant environment.
Experience supporting financial statement audits, including preparing PBC schedules and interacting with external auditors.
CPA designation preferred, with strong knowledge of US GAAP and relevant accounting standards.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex accounting concepts to non-finance stakeholders and collaborate effectively across functions.

Nice To Haves

3+ years of Big 4 public accounting and progressive accounting leadership or manager-level experience preferred.
Big 4 public accounting background is highly valued and supports success in this role.
Experience in healthcare, optical, or similar service-based industries is preferred and considered a plus.
Prior experience in a multi-unit retail or multi-location environment, including indirect tax exposure, is advantageous.
Familiarity with ERP implementation projects, particularly Oracle Fusion Projects Module or other large-scale ERP deployments, is beneficial.
Experience using Blackline for reconciliations and ProLease or similar lease management tools enhances effectiveness in this position.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a hybrid corporate environment, partnering with cross-functional teams such as Operations, IT, Real Estate, FP&A, and technical accounting.
Comfort working with a high volume of leases and capital projects at any given time, balancing accuracy with efficiency.
Commitment to continuous professional growth, openness to feedback, and a mindset focused on process improvement and innovation.

Responsibilities

Lead month-end close activities related to long-term assets, leases, capital projects, and assigned general ledger areas, ensuring all deadlines are met.
Review and approve journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and monthly project reporting to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
Oversee general ledger activities, including journal entry preparation, reconciliations, indirect tax-related entries, and financial reporting.
Ensure complete and accurate accounting for a large portfolio of office leases in accordance with ASC 842, including new leases, renewals, modifications, expansions, and closures.
Evaluate SaaS contracts and cloud computing arrangements to determine appropriate accounting treatment and ensure proper capitalization or expense recognition for fixed assets and related projects.
Partner cross-functionally with Operations, IT, Real Estate, FP&A, and other stakeholders to improve alignment, support decision-making, and promote understanding of accounting policies and impacts.
Manage and support special projects and analytical initiatives, including the implementation and optimization of the Oracle Fusion Projects Module and other ERP-related enhancements.
Identify and implement opportunities to streamline accounting processes, reduce manual effort, and enhance accuracy through automation, system improvements, and standardized procedures.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of two, including managing workloads, providing performance feedback, supporting professional development, and aligning individual goals with department objectives.
Oversee financial statement audit support by preparing PBC (Prepared by Client) materials, coordinating testing selections, and providing timely and accurate responses to auditor inquiries.
Design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls over financial reporting, identify control gaps, and partner with management to advance toward a SOX-compliant control environment.
Develop, maintain, and document accounting policies and procedures to ensure consistency, clarity, and compliance with US GAAP and relevant regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with the technical accounting team on complex accounting issues, ensuring proper treatment of leases, fixed assets, cloud computing, and other specialized areas.
Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by proactively identifying risks, recommending solutions, and championing best practices across the accounting function.