Sr. Manager, Licensing Accounting

BMI•Nashville, TN

About The Position

Leads the Licensing Accounting function through a Licensing Accounting Manager and Senior Accountant, owning revenue recognition and technical accounting for the company and ensuring compliance with ASC 606 across all revenue streams. Sets team direction, standards, and workflow while remaining directly engaged in complex technical matters, the revenue close, review, reporting, controls, and audits. Keeps revenue accounting diligence-ready to support transactions and builds scalable revenue and billing processes as the company grows. Partners with financial accounting, FP&A, Licensing, Legal, Operations, Collections Services, IT, and other departments to uphold company best practices, ensure appropriate controls, and deliver excellent customer service. Identifies and implements process improvements within the area of responsibility. Directly supervises a Licensing Accounting Manager and accountant and indirectly oversees additional team members. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, planning and assigning work, directing and assessing work quality, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining team members, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
At least 8–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant hands-on ASC 606 work.
At least three years of people management experience.
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, less-structured environment.
Experience with ERP and revenue or billing systems.
Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, particularly ASC 606, and ability to apply technical guidance to non-standard or complex transactions.
Ability to write clear technical memos, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional literature and technical procedures.
Effective communication skills, including presenting to executives and responding to questions from managers, vendors, and internal and external customers.
Ability to build, foster, and work in a team environment focused on quality and customer service.
Excellent time management, analytical, decision-making, and organizational skills.
Ability to develop and lead a multi-tiered team, delegate prioritized operational execution to a Manager, and maintain accountability for team output and quality.
Ability to establish good working relationships and interact competently with people at all levels of management.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Oracle Financial modules and Salesforce.
Familiarity with AI-powered tools for data analysis and process improvement.
Experience in a PE-backed or multi-entity company.
Active or inactive CPA license.

Responsibilities

Own revenue recognition policies, ensure ASC 606 compliance across revenue streams, and review and update related company policies and procedures.
Review customer contracts, including non-standard terms, bundled arrangements, variable consideration, and contract modifications, and determine the appropriate accounting treatment.
Prepare clear technical accounting memos documenting significant revenue judgments for auditors, investors, and future diligence.
Oversee the monthly revenue close performed by the Manager and staff, reviewing and approving complex or judgmental entries, including deferred revenue, unbilled receivables, and contract asset balances.
Coordinate and ensure completion of the month-end revenue process.
Prepare revenue schedules and footnote disclosures for annual GAAP audited financial statements.
Design and maintain practical internal controls over the revenue cycle, scaled to the company's stage and able to mature toward SOX if needed.
Lead the fiscal year-end audit and manage the revenue portion of the annual external audit, including PBC requests, auditor inquiries, and audit relationships.
Keep revenue accounting diligence-ready for fundraising, debt financing, a potential sale, or IPO, including quality of earnings reviews.
Support M&A due diligence and integration of acquired revenue streams.
Build and lead the Licensing Accounting team, setting direction and standards while empowering the Manager to own day-to-day execution.
Remain hands-on with the Senior Accountant on complex technical matters and provide escalation support on staff-level matters.
Ensure the Manager provides onboarding, cross-training, and coaching to staff; coach and develop the Senior Accountant and periodically review the Manager's coaching effectiveness.
Develop the Licensing Accounting Manager's leadership capability and delegate operational ownership while guiding complex technical or personnel matters.
Schedule and lead broader team meetings and regular one-on-ones with the Manager and Senior Accountant; ensure the Manager runs effective staff-level meetings and communications.
Work with Licensing, Legal, Operations, Collections Services, IT, and other departments to review deal terms before signing, identify revenue impacts early, uphold best practices, ensure controls, and deliver customer service.
Educate non-finance teams about how contract terms affect revenue.
Ensure CRM, ERP, and other financial systems function properly for the area of responsibility; lead or support system selection and implementation with Accounting Technology and IT as needed.
Access and analyze data to answer business questions and improve processes using available technology tools.
Build or rebuild revenue processes, including moving from spreadsheets toward automation as the company scales, and recommend and implement process and procedural improvements.
Coordinate process improvements with management, team members, and internal and external customers.
Act as project manager for Licensing Accounting projects when appropriate.
Interview, hire, train, assign, direct, and evaluate team members; address complaints and resolve problems.