Accounting Manager

CBIZ Talent Solutions; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CBIZ Talent Solutions is looking for an Accounting Manager in Columbus, Ohio, to serve as the senior financial steward for their clients. This role demands a strong background in U.S. GAAP, project-based accounting, and excellent management skills. The successful candidate will own the financial close processes and ensure compliance with internal controls. They will also supervise finance and HR staff while supporting the OpCo President in strategic financial planning and reporting. Familiarity with private equity operations is preferred.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of progressive accounting experience required.
• Project-based and percentage-of-completion accounting experience crucial.
• Experience managing or mentoring staff is essential.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Prepare and present subsidiary financial packages.
• Supervise the full AR/AP cycle and payroll processing.

Skills

U.S. GAAP knowledge

Project-based accounting

Advanced Excel skills

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Sage Intacct

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Accounting Manager serves as the senior financial steward for our client. Reporting directly to the company's Corporate Controller with a dotted line to the OpCo President, this role is the primary point of accountability for all subsidiary accounting operations, financial reporting integrity, and internal controls.

The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of technical accounting rigor and operational partnership—comfortable presenting project-level cost detail to field leadership one moment and supporting a financial audit the next. Given the company's PE sponsorship, this role requires familiarity with investor-grade reporting, debt covenant compliance support, and a continuous improvement mindset as the business scales.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process, delivering accurate, GAAP-compliant financial statements on a timeline consistent with reporting requirements
• Prepare and present subsidiary financial packages to the Corporate Controller, including variance analysis, KPI dashboards, and management commentary
• Support consolidated reporting by providing accurate, timely subsidiary data and responding to finance team inquiries
• Maintain and update accounting policies and procedures in alignment with the company's standards

Project & Contract Accounting

• Oversee project cost accounting across all active environmental and remediation contracts
• Prepare and review Work-in-Process (WIP) schedules and apply percentage-of-completion (PoC) revenue recognition in accordance with ASC 606
• Collaborate with Project Managers on contract budgets, change orders, and cost-to-complete estimates
• Identify and elevate job margin variances; partner with operations to develop corrective action plans

Accounts Payable, Receivable & Billing

• Supervise the full AR/AP cycle including customer invoicing, collections, vendor payments, and subcontractor compliance
• Oversee payroll processing and ensure accurate job cost allocations
• Monitor cash flow and coordinate with the Corporate Controller on treasury positioning and short-term liquidity needs

Compliance, Internal Controls & Audit

• Design and maintain a robust internal control environment consistent with PE sponsor expectations
• Coordinate year-end financial audit and annual insurance premium audit; serve as primary liaison with external auditors for subsidiary-level inquiries
• Support preparation of federal, state, and local tax filings; liaise with external tax advisors as needed
• Ensure compliance with certified payroll, prevailing wage, and applicable government contract reporting requirements
• Provide data and analysis to support debt covenant compliance reporting at the company's level

Leadership, HR Oversight & Process Improvement

• Directly supervise Finance and HR staff; set clear performance expectations, provide coaching, and support professional development
• Partner with the OpCo President and the Corporate Controller on budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning for the subsidiary
• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives, including ERP optimization and automation opportunities
• Serve as a key resource to Operations leadership on financial literacy, project cost management, and profitability improvement
• Support M&A due diligence, integration activities, or add-on transactions as directed by the company.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA strongly preferred
• 5–8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated growth in responsibility
• Project-based and percentage-of-completion accounting experience required (construction, environmental, engineering, or field services preferred)
• Prior experience in a PE-backed or private equity-sponsored company preferred, but not required
• Experience managing or mentoring staff required
• Exposure to financial audits, lender reporting, or debt covenant compliance preferred

Technical Skills

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, with specific depth in ASC 606 (revenue recognition) and project cost accounting
• Proficiency with project-based ERP systems (e.g., Sage Intaact, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar); experience supporting system implementations or upgrades a plus
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with financial consolidation or reporting tools preferred
• Familiarity with government contracts, prevailing wage regulations, certified payroll, and environmental compliance reporting preferred

Core Competencies

• Executive presence and communication: able to synthesize complex financial data into clear narratives for both the company's leadership and field operations
• Accountability and ownership: operates with urgency, meets deadlines, and takes initiative without being directed
• Analytical rigor: detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Relationship management: skilled at navigating a dual-reporting structure and building trust with both corporate and operating company leadership
• Change agility: comfortable in dynamic, high-growth environments typical of PE-backed businesses