Senior Director, Accounting

Centric Brands•New York, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company’s future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together. The Senior Director, Accounting is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing key areas of the Company’s accounting function, including month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, general ledger management, and daily operations principally for Wholesale and Retail channels, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal policies. The Senior Director will work closely with cross-functional teams including FP&A, IT, AR, AP, Tax, Treasury, and Operations, and will play an integral role in driving process improvements, supporting audits, and providing accurate and timely financial reporting. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of the Company’s operations, technical accounting expertise, and the ability to lead and develop a high-performing team. Leadership, communication, and collaboration will be key to achieving excellence in this position. Contributions are expected to include: Drive Accuracy and Timeliness of Financial Reporting Ensure almost flawless execution of month-end close processes, balance sheet reconciliations, and general ledger oversight to deliver accurate and timely financial statements. Lead Inventory and Wholesale/ Retail Accounting Strategy Own complex accounting areas such as inventory reserves, production overhead capitalization, purchase price variances, and deferred revenue, providing actionable insights to senior leadership. Enhance Operational Efficiency and Internal Controls Implement process improvements, strengthen internal controls, and optimize accounting workflows to support scalability and compliance with GAAP and corporate policies. Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration Partner with FP&A, IT, AR, AP, Tax, Treasury, and Operations to align accounting practices with business objectives, support audits, and drive system enhancements. Develop and Mentor High-Performing Teams Provide guidance and professional development to accounting staff, fostering a culture of accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. Oversee and execute core accounting functions, including reconciliation and accurate reporting of financial activity. Lead assigned monthly close processes and ensure timely completion of management reporting. Manage complex accounting areas such as inventory reserves, production overhead capitalization, purchase price variance analysis, wholesale sales dilution reserves, direct to consumer sale to cash, deferred revenue, and gross profit review. Review journal entries for key areas, including discount, margin support and customer chargeback accruals, operating expense, inventory in transit, allocations, prepaids, and sales commissions. Own accounts receivable and inventory reserve provisions, deliver detailed monthly analyses to FP&A, Chief Accounting Officer, and CFO. Review and approve balance sheet reconciliations with supporting documentation; provide variance commentary and ensure checklist compliance. Collaborate cross-functionally with FP&A, IT, AR, AP, Tax, Treasury, and Operations to improve processes, policies, and systems. Supervise preparation of reports required for the Company’s asset-backed lending facility. Ensure accuracy and completeness of accounting system reports and adherence to financial closing deadlines. Develop and maintain documented policies, procedures, and workflows for assigned areas. Function as a key point of contact for auditors; provide quality and timely responses to audit requests. Provide leadership and guidance to staff on technical accounting issues, operational tasks, and professional development. Build strong, collaborative relationships across the organization. Proactively drive innovation and change in key areas, including the monthly close and reporting; lead ad hoc projects and strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA strongly preferred
12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership roles; public accounting background.
Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP including revenue recognition principles
Advanced Excel skills; SAP experience preferred
Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with high level of accuracy.
Able to work independently and take initiative
Previous experience with companies engaged in wholesale distribution of apparel, accessories, or other consumer products
Demonstrated ability to present insights and recommendations to senior executives
Demonstrated change agent with prior leadership roles involving transformation, systems implementations and / or process innovation / re-engineering
Prior experience leading and inspiring large teams and with outsource service providers
Ability to mentor and develop staff, a self-starter and team player
Excellent collaboration skills; persuasive; experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to find common ground with stakeholders
Strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities, yet hands-on and detail oriented
Strong work ethics and value system, high degree of integrity
Questions the status quo; consistently seeks to elevate performance

Nice To Haves

CPA strongly preferred
SAP experience preferred

Responsibilities

Drive Accuracy and Timeliness of Financial Reporting
Ensure almost flawless execution of month-end close processes, balance sheet reconciliations, and general ledger oversight to deliver accurate and timely financial statements.
Lead Inventory and Wholesale/ Retail Accounting Strategy
Own complex accounting areas such as inventory reserves, production overhead capitalization, purchase price variances, and deferred revenue, providing actionable insights to senior leadership.
Enhance Operational Efficiency and Internal Controls
Implement process improvements, strengthen internal controls, and optimize accounting workflows to support scalability and compliance with GAAP and corporate policies.
Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration
Partner with FP&A, IT, AR, AP, Tax, Treasury, and Operations to align accounting practices with business objectives, support audits, and drive system enhancements.
Develop and Mentor High-Performing Teams
Provide guidance and professional development to accounting staff, fostering a culture of accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
Oversee and execute core accounting functions, including reconciliation and accurate reporting of financial activity.
Lead assigned monthly close processes and ensure timely completion of management reporting.
Manage complex accounting areas such as inventory reserves, production overhead capitalization, purchase price variance analysis, wholesale sales dilution reserves, direct to consumer sale to cash, deferred revenue, and gross profit review.
Review journal entries for key areas, including discount, margin support and customer chargeback accruals, operating expense, inventory in transit, allocations, prepaids, and sales commissions.
Own accounts receivable and inventory reserve provisions, deliver detailed monthly analyses to FP&A, Chief Accounting Officer, and CFO.
Review and approve balance sheet reconciliations with supporting documentation; provide variance commentary and ensure checklist compliance.
Collaborate cross-functionally with FP&A, IT, AR, AP, Tax, Treasury, and Operations to improve processes, policies, and systems.
Supervise preparation of reports required for the Company’s asset-backed lending facility.
Ensure accuracy and completeness of accounting system reports and adherence to financial closing deadlines.
Develop and maintain documented policies, procedures, and workflows for assigned areas.
Function as a key point of contact for auditors; provide quality and timely responses to audit requests.
Provide leadership and guidance to staff on technical accounting issues, operational tasks, and professional development.
Build strong, collaborative relationships across the organization.
Proactively drive innovation and change in key areas, including the monthly close and reporting; lead ad hoc projects and strategic initiatives.