Accounting Manager

BOWA; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BOWA is seeking an Accounting Manager / Assistant Controller to join our finance team in McLean, VA. The role starts hands-on, learning the close process, billing cycle, and Sage 300 CRE, before growing into leadership of the full accounting function.

Highlights include ESOP exposure and a clear path to Assistant Controller / Controller. You will lead month-end close, financial reporting, client billing, AR management, and eventually supervise the Finance team, reporting to the President & CFO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting with 3–6+ years of progressive accounting experience; construction or project-based industry preferred.
• Experience with Sage 300 CRE or similar project accounting software.
• CPA license a plus but not required — licensure pursued encouraged.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort with AI-assisted tools (e.g., Claude, Claude Cowork, ChatGPT).
• Detail-oriented and a discreet communicator with ownership-minded culture.

Responsibilities

• Own Month-End Close & Financial Reporting end-to-end (journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, close checklist) and maintain the GL/COA in Sage 300 CRE.
• Prepare and review financial statements for CFO review and resolve variances proactively.
• Own client billing accuracy and timeliness, coordinating with project teams on contract terms and job status.
• Monitor AR aging to maintain DSO targets and streamline the billing cycle as the business scales.
• Become the go-to Sage 300 CRE expert and document key workflows and payroll inputs.
• Support payroll review and recommend automation to reduce manual work.

Skills

Strong Excel

People leadership

Attention to detail

Discretion with sensitive information

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA license a plus

Tools

Sage 300 CRE

Project accounting software

Job description

BOWA is looking for an Accounting Manager / Assistant Controller to join our finance team, reporting to the President & CFO. The first 4–6 months are hands-on — learning our close process, billing cycle, and Sage 300 CRE — before growing into people-leadership over the full accounting function (GL, AP, AR, Billing, and Payroll).

BOWA recently became an ESOP company; this role gains exposure to ESOP mechanics, though deep expertise isn't required on day one. Whether a licensed CPA or working toward one, you'll get real ownership and a clear path to Assistant Controller / Controller.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Own Month-End Close & Financial Reporting
• Build Toward Team Leadership
• Serve as Principal Accounting Contact for Division Leaders

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Own Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Lead month-end close end-to-end (journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, close checklist) to deadline each month; maintain the GL and chart of accounts in Sage 300 CRE.
• Prepare and review financial statements prior to CFO review, and proactively resolve reconciliation variances.
• Own client billing accuracy and timeliness, partnering with project teams to confirm alignment with contract terms and job status.
• Monitor AR aging to keep DSO on target and streamline the billing cycle as the business scales.
• Become the team's go-to expert on Sage 300 CRE, documenting key workflows (close checklist, billing steps, payroll inputs).
• Support payroll review (commission, bonus, salary, 401(k)) and recommend automation that reduces manual work.

Build Toward Team Leadership

• Spend the first 4–6 months learning BOWA's processes and culture before taking on direct reports.
• Once ramped, manage the Finance Department — setting expectations, developing the team, and serving as a thought partner and backup to the President & CFO.

Serve as Principal Accounting Contact for Division Leaders

• Act as the primary contact for division leaders on job costing, budget-to-actual, and financial reporting — building trust so accounting is viewed as a partner, not just a back-office function.
• Assist with ESOP-related accounting mechanics (e.g., debt service flows between BOWA and the ESOP Trust) under the CFO's direction.
• Prepare ad hoc analysis for the CFO and support requests from auditors, lenders, or the ESOP Trustee's advisors.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Growing into direct supervision of the Finance team.

Requirements for the Position:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting and 3–6+ years of progressive accounting experience; construction or project-based industry experience preferred.
• CPA license a plus but not required — candidates pursuing licensure encouraged to apply.
• Experience with Sage 300 CRE (or similar project accounting software) ideal but not required — ramp-up time provided.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort with (or interest in) AI-assisted tools (e.g., Claude, Claude Cowork, ChatGPT).
• Detail-oriented, strong communicator, discreet with sensitive information, and a genuine fit with BOWA's ownership-minded ESOP culture.