Accounting Manager

BOWA - Design Build Experts; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

BOWA - Design Build Experts is seeking an Accounting Manager / Assistant Controller to join our finance team in McLean, VA. You will own the month-end close, financial reporting, and manage the billing and revenue cycle, growing into leadership of the full accounting function including payroll and client projects.

Initial 4–6 months are hands-on to learn our close process and Sage 300 CRE before stepping into a leadership role, partnering with division leaders and the President & CFO to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting is required or strongly preferred.
• 3–6+ years of progressive accounting experience, construction or project-based industry preferred.
• CPA license a plus but not required; licensure encouraged to apply.
• Experience with Sage 300 CRE or similar project accounting software ideal but ramp-up provided.

Responsibilities

• Own Month-End Close & Financial Reporting.
• Manage Client Billing & Revenue Cycle.
• Strengthen Accounting Systems & Processes.
• Build Toward Team Leadership.
• Serve as Principal Accounting Contact for Division Leaders.
• Support ESOP & CFO-Level Financial Needs.

Skills

Month-End Close

Financial Reporting

Billing & Revenue Cycle

Excel

Communication

Discretion with sensitive information

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Tools

Sage 300 CRE

Project accounting software

Job description

• Support ESOP & CFO-Level Financial Needs

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).

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Own Month‑End Close & Financial Reporting
• Manage Client Billing & Revenue Cycle
• Strengthening Accounting Systems & Processes
• Build Toward Team Leadership
• Serve as Principal Accounting Contact for Division Leaders
• Support ESOP & CFO‑Level Financial Needs

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.

Manage Client Billing & Revenue Cycle

• 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.

Strengthening Accounting Systems & Processes

• 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.

Support ESOP & CFO‑Level Financial Needs

• 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.