Senior Accounting Manager

Rockstar•Southfield, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Accounting Manager is a hands-on accounting leader at an education management organization that partners with public charter schools across Southeast Michigan. The organization provides operational, financial, academic, HR, compliance, and student support infrastructure to its partner schools. Founded in 2003, it supports a network serving more than 3,000 students and over 250 employees, and plans to continue growing. Reporting directly to the CFO, this role supports the day-to-day accounting function, including accounts receivable and payable, monthly close, payroll-related processes, and financial reporting for the company and partner schools. It is a Controller-track opportunity for a detail-oriented accounting professional with strong fundamentals and an interest in building and scaling processes as the organization grows. The role is primarily in person in Southfield, Michigan. Initially, success means accurate and timely payroll, a flawless monthly close, current and reliable reconciliations, and consistent application of GAAP processes. Over time, the role is expected to become the day-to-day accounting lead, own the close process, manage two to three accounting team members, and grow into a Controller-level position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
5–12 years of accounting, finance, payroll, or related experience.
Strong accounting fundamentals and comfort with GAAP-based reporting.
Experience with payroll and benefits processing.
Experience supporting month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
Strong attention to detail and high standards for accuracy.
Clear written and verbal communication skills.
Comfort working primarily in person in Southfield, Michigan.
Detail-oriented, organized, and reliable.
Low ego and willingness to be hands-on.
Comfort operating in a lean, fast-moving environment.
Interest in growing with the company and taking on more responsibility over time.

Nice To Haves

Experience in school accounting, school finance, charter schools, or school district finance.
CPA or CPA-track background.
Experience with QuickBooks Online and ADP.
Experience in a people-oriented services-based business or multi-entity environment.
Experience building or improving accounting processes, controls, or systems.

Responsibilities

Support and eventually own key parts of the monthly close process.
Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
Maintain accurate US GAAP-based financial records.
Reconcile accounts receivable, payroll-related accounts, intercompany activity, and other key balance sheet accounts.
Help prepare monthly financial statements and reporting packages for review by the CFO.
Own and support biweekly payroll processes for a workforce of more than 250 employees.
Work with ADP and internal teams to ensure payroll is accurate, timely, and well-controlled.
Reconcile payroll, benefits, deductions, contractor payments, stipends, and related accounts.
Partner with other functions to ensure employee changes and compensation updates are handled.
Support budget-to-actual reporting, variance analysis, and recurring reports for leadership.
Translate accounting data into clear, useful information for the CFO and senior leaders.
Provide accounting support for planning, forecasting, and financial decision-making.
Strengthen accounting checklists, controls, documentation, and recurring workflows.
Work closely with the CFO, President/COO, HR, operations, compliance, and school-level teams.
Over time, own the close process and manage two to three accounting team members.