Smith & Howard
Accounting Manager
Atlanta, GA - Full Time
We are seeking an experienced and growth-oriented Accounting Manager to support the firm’s accounting operations, financial reporting, and integration efforts. This role is critical in supporting one of the fastest-growing CPA firms in the country and will require a hands-on accounting professional capable of managing core accounting processes, developing team members, and supporting a dynamic, multi-entity environment.
The ideal candidate brings strong accounting fundamentals, experience managing month-end close and financial reporting activities, and a demonstrated ability to lead and develop others. This individual will work closely with the Controller and broader Finance team to strengthen accounting processes, improve scalability, and support the continued growth of the firm across both domestic and offshore teams.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting
The ideal candidate brings strong accounting fundamentals, experience managing month-end close and financial reporting activities, and a demonstrated ability to lead and develop others. This individual will work closely with the Controller and broader Finance team to strengthen accounting processes, improve scalability, and support the continued growth of the firm across both domestic and offshore teams.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting
- Manage key accounting operations, including general ledger activities, account reconciliations, journal entries, and assigned components of the month-end close process.
- Review accounting work prepared by team members to ensure completeness, accuracy, appropriate documentation, and compliance with U.S. GAAP and firm policies.
- Support timely and accurate financial reporting across multiple entities and offices.
- Perform and review balance sheet and income statement analysis, including investigation and explanation of significant or unusual fluctuations.
- Identify close dependencies and accounting issues proactively and drive them to resolution.
- Support accounting for acquisitions, including purchase accounting, opening balance sheet preparation, and post-close adjustments.
- Support financial integration of acquired firms, including alignment of accounting policies, processes, systems, and reporting structures.
- Assist with due diligence and post-acquisition accounting activities in partnership with the Controller, Finance leadership, and external advisors.
- Support development and execution of standardized integration processes to enhance efficiency in future transactions.
- Continuously evaluate and improve accounting processes, systems, reconciliations, and controls to support scalability and efficiency.
- Develop and maintain clear accounting procedures and documentation to promote consistency across entities and teams.
- Identify opportunities to simplify or automate manual accounting activities.
- Support system optimization and integration, including ERP, time and billing, and reporting tools.
- Research accounting matters, develop proposed accounting treatments, and escalate recommendations to the Controller for review and approval.
- Support treasury operations, including cash management, bank reconciliations, cash forecasting, and related accounting activities.
- Help maintain appropriate controls and visibility around cash and banking activities.
- Support treasury-related reporting and analysis as needed.
- Provide day-to-day leadership, review, and coaching to accounting team members across multiple geographies.
- Collaborate effectively with offshore accounting teams, ensuring quality, efficiency, and alignment with firm standards.
- Establish clear accountability, workflows, documentation standards, and performance expectations.
- Develop team members’ understanding of accounting principles and business context, enabling increasing levels of ownership and professional judgment.
- Coach team members to identify issues, research alternatives, and bring forward proposed solutions and accounting conclusions.
- Support development of an accounting function capable of supporting rapid, sustained growth.
- Anticipate accounting and operational challenges associated with scaling and proactively identify solutions.
- Partner with the Controller and broader Finance organization to strengthen accounting infrastructure, processes, and controls as the firm grows.
- Take on increasing levels of accounting and operational responsibility as the needs of the organization evolve.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated growth in responsibility across accounting, financial reporting, and month-end close activities.
- Experience in a professional services environment required; experience within a large or mid-sized CPA or accounting advisory firm strongly preferred.
- Experience working within a larger, complex organization with multiple entities, business units, offices, or reporting structures.
- Strong understanding of professional services accounting, including work-in-process (WIP), revenue, billing, accounts receivable, and related financial reporting considerations.
- Demonstrated experience owning accounting processes and meeting recurring financial close deadlines.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and foundational accounting principles.
- Experience working with ERP and financial reporting systems; NetSuite experience preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a growing organization where processes, systems, and responsibilities continue to evolve.
- Prior experience supervising, mentoring, or providing day-to-day direction to accounting team members.
- Experience supporting accounting for acquisitions, purchase accounting, or post-acquisition integration.
- Experience working within a shared services model.
- Experience identifying and implementing accounting process improvements, standardization, or automation.
- CPA designation or progress toward certification is a plus but not required.
