Accounting Manager

Brighton Science • Cincinnati, OH

4d

About The Position

Brighton Science is the global leader in providing surface intelligence solutions and high-precision instruments that bring unprecedented visibility to surfaces for manufacturers in aerospace, defense, automotive, medical device and other demanding industries. With headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, Brighton Science’s products are licensed and sold to manufacturers worldwide, including some of the most sophisticated companies in the industry. In December 2025, Brighton Science was acquired by Click Bond, a designer and manufacturer of bonded fasteners which also serves the defense industry. Brighton Science is experiencing high growth, and as the company scales, it is essential for the finance function to support this growth. This role will be central to building the infrastructure, controls and reporting rigor needed to support continued growth.

Brighton Science is looking for an Accounting Manager who is energized by bringing structure and rigor to a growing finance function. This role calls for someone who doesn’t just maintain a process, but evaluates it critically, identifies where it can be strengthened, and takes ownership of making it better. You’ll own the monthly close, working closely with the Controller on compliance-sensitive reporting tied to our DOD and GSA contract vehicles. The ideal candidate takes genuine pride in leaving processes measurably stronger than they found them.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's in Accounting.
• 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, including prior general ledger ownership.
• Excellent knowledge of GAAP and financial statement preparation.
• Solid understanding of cost accounting.
• Hands-on ERP experience (Sage 50 or a comparable mid-market system).
• Advanced Excel skills and willingness to use AI to provide meaningful operating insight.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience building, improving, or automating accounting processes, rather than simply operating within established systems.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems independently and drive them to resolution.
• Comfortable operating on a lean, hands-on finance team.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with SaaS offerings is a plus.
• Government contracting experience (DCAA, FAR/CAS compliance) is a plus.
• Experience with Claude is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly and quarterly close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analysis, ensuring the close closes on schedule and the GL stays audit-ready.
• Apply cost accounting practices consistent with FAR and CAS requirements across DOD cost-reimbursable and GSA MAS contract activity, in coordination with the Controller.
• Support Avalara/AvaTax sales tax compliance, including reconciliations and review of sales tax payments.
• Assist with PO-first purchasing controls and expense card platform administration to strengthen spend controls.
• Prepare schedules and documentation for the annual financial statement audit and tax return preparation.
• Proactively identify process and control gaps before they surface as issues, and lead the resolution — from close-cycle bottlenecks to reconciliation weaknesses.
• Establish and maintain accounting procedures and controls appropriate for a growing organization.
• Maintain clean, well-organized, and audit-ready financial records.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level