Accounting Manager

The Accounting Manager will coordinate, implement, and supervise Southern Research’s financial closing process. The Accounting Manager will delegate, supervise, and participate in accounting department tasks, oversee the recording, tracking, and reporting of financial information, hire, train, and motivate accounting staff members, develop and implement department controls and procedures, and ensure along with the Director of Accounting, that the department operates efficiently.

This position is essential for maintaining the financial wellness and integrity of Southern Research.

• Evaluates, develops and improves department controls, systems, and procedures that increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Achieves accounting operational objectives by resolving problems; completing audits; identifying trends; determining system improvements; and implementing change.
• Manages multiple functions within the finance department.
• Responsible for the management of the fixed asset module at the Institute and within CostPoint; includes tracking and reconciliation of capital purchases, overseeing the tagging of fixed assets, coordinate and manage bi-annual fixed asset inventory, track movements (dispositions and transfers) of capital assets, setting up and placing assets in service according to SR fixed asset policy, and assuming the role government property specialist in tracking all government-owned property and reporting to government agencies as required by contractual obligations and the FAR.
• Manages the timekeeping and payroll functions and implements policies and procedures as appropriate. This includes the oversight of timesheet processing and posting, reconciliation of time to payroll, establishing new tax jurisdictions and garnishments, assuring all benefits vendors are paid timely and reporting is accurate.
• Meets accounting financial objectives by forecasting requirements, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective actions.
• Maintains financial security by establishing internal control structure and developing appropriate tests of controls to maintain solid segregation of duties and mitigating controls where necessary.
• Responsible for ensuring department procedures are as efficient as possible and following best practices where able, coordinates efforts with outside departments for smooth handoffs and efficient communication and makes/implements recommendations for improvements.
• Coordinates the various Southern Research external audits including but not limited to Financial Statement Audit, 401k Audit, Single Audit, Worker’s Compensation audit; ensures that SR is responding and providing needed information in a timely manner and managing any potential findings for immediate remedy.
• Lead the finance execution of any financial software or ERP system upgrades or implementations and make recommendations for system improvements or changes.
• Manages the account reconciliation program to minimize future adjustments and to ensure accuracy in the financial statements.
• Presents recommendations to management and business stakeholders on short- and long-term financial objectives and policies.
• Manages and monitors cash flows of Southern Research and performs cash flow forecasting.
• Maintains accurate and complete financial records, follows proper accounting procedures to reach objectives, and monitors key financial data.
• Manages the collections process according to established procedures with timely follow-up to ensure customer payments are received within established terms. Makes recommendations to senior finance leadership for escalated processes where relevant, up to and including sending a customer to external collections agencies.
• Assists other departments and operational businesses as they develop strategies, establish objectives, and make decisions that could have a financial impact on the business.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments in the finance industry and government contracting regulations.
• Accomplishes accounting human resource objectives by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, assigning, scheduling, coaching, counseling, and…