Accounting Manager

The Independents; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid office schedule

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

401K employer match

Commuter benefits

Paid time off including vacation, days

Company-wide closure year-end

10 federal holidays observed

Job summary

The Independents Group in New York is seeking a strong, hands-on Accounting Manager to own the books for a creative services business and deliver accurate, complete and timely financial statements. You will work closely with project managers and leadership, across vendor invoices, client billing, and month-end close.

You will partner with the CFO US on budgets, forecasts and analysis, while maintaining project accounting and revenue recognition in NetSuite.

Qualifications

• Approximately five or more years of accounting experience, including independent ownership of books and month-end close.
• Practical NetSuite experience is required.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, AP, AR, billing, credit cards and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Experience with project accounting and client billing, preferably in a creative agency, design studio or professional services business.
• Strong Excel skills and disciplined attention to accuracy, documentation and deadlines.
• Degree in accounting or related field; CPA qualification welcome but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own the books from transaction entry through monthly financial statements, ensuring accuracy.
• Manage client invoicing, milestones, documentation and timely issuance with project managers.
• Process and review vendor invoices, coding, approvals, AP and payment batches.
• Maintain credit card accounting, receipts, coding and reconciliations.
• Record customer receipts and maintain AR balances.
• Follow up on AR and coordinate collections with project managers.
• Own month-end close, including journal entries, accruals and reconciliations.
• Post payroll journal entries prepared by the PEO in NetSuite.
• Prepare accurate monthly financial statements and Group reporting.
• Maintain project accounting and revenue recognition schedules.
• Partner with project managers to keep costs, time records and billing accurate.
• Maintain cash reporting and short-term forecasts.
• Coordinate and review the Accounting Coordinator’s work.
• Maintain organized financial records for tax, audit and reporting.
• Support CFO US with budgets, forecasts and financial analysis.

Skills

Independent ownership of books

Strong Excel skills

Ability to work independently

Attention to accuracy & documentation

Education

Degree in accounting or related field

CPA qualification welcome but not required

Tools

NetSuite

Excel

General ledger software

Job description

The Independents is a global ecosystem of 23 best-in-class partner agencies crafting extraordinary brand experiences that captivate audiences worldwide. In collaboration with its clients across the luxury and lifestyle industries, The Independents creates meaningful connections between people and the brands they love.

The Independents’ curation reflects an expansive roster of industry pioneers, including 2 x 4, Atelier Athem, Atelier Lum, Bureau Béatrice, Bureau Betak, Bureau Future, Ctzar, Inca Productions, k2, Karla Otto, Kennedy, Kitten Production, Kitty Events, Lefty, Lucien Pagès Communication, MA+Group, Phantasm Group, Prodject, Sunshine, Terminal 9 Studios, The Qode, TI Productions and We Are Ona. The group’s capabilities span research, core strategy, communications strategy, design, production and distribution, a scope that adapts to every creative challenge.

The group translates strategic insights into creative concepts, which are developed into personally relevant experiences that engage local and global audiences by way of its presence in Milan, Paris, London, Munich, Barcelona, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Riyadh.

In March 2025, The Independents launched L’Incubateur, a pioneering initiative conceived to identify, support and accelerate the next wave of talent, entrepreneurs and creative agencies on a global scale. Since June 2023, The Independents has been backed by Banijay Group and TowerBrook Capital Partners.

We are looking for a strong, hands-on Accounting Manager to own the books for a creative services business in New York and deliver accurate, complete and timely financial statements. You will be responsible for the full accounting cycle, including client invoicing, vendor invoices, expenses, credit cards, accounts receivable, accounts payable and month-end close. This role suits someone who enjoys both getting the numbers right and building relationships with the people behind them. You will work closely with project managers and business leadership, with opportunities to support other businesses within the wider group as capacity allows.

What you will do

• Own the books from transaction entry through monthly financial statements, ensuring accounts are complete, reconciled and supported.
• Manage client invoicing, confirming billing instructions, milestones, supporting documentation and timely issuance with project managers.
• Process and review vendor invoices, confirm coding and approvals, maintain accounts payable and prepare payment batches for approval.
• Maintain credit card accounting, including reviewing receipts, checking coding, and reconciling statements.
• Record customer receipts and maintain accurate accounts receivable balances.
• Follow up on accounts receivable and coordinate collections with project managers, resolving billing questions and escalating overdue balances.
• Own month-end close, including journal entries, accruals, prepayments, bank reconciliations, intercompany balances and balance sheet schedules.
• Post the payroll journal entry prepared by the PEO in NetSuite.
• Prepare accurate monthly financial statements and Group reporting within agreed deadlines.
• Maintain project accounting and prepare revenue recognition and work-in-progress schedules using approved contract terms and project updates.
• Partner with project managers to keep project costs, time records and billing information accurate and current.
• Maintain cash reporting and short-term cash forecasts, highlighting upcoming payment and funding needs.
• Coordinate and review the part-time Accounting Coordinator’s work, completing tasks directly where needed.
• Maintain organized financial records and prepare supporting schedules for Group tax, audit and reporting requirements.
• Once the accounting and reporting foundation is established, support the CFO US with budgets, forecasts and financial analysis.

What you will bring

• Approximately five or more years of accounting experience, including independent ownership of books and month-end close.
• Practical NetSuite experience is required.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, AP, AR, billing, credit cards and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Experience with project accounting and client billing, preferably in a creative agency, design studio or professional services business.
• Strong Excel skills and disciplined attention to accuracy, documentation and deadlines.
• A degree in accounting or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience. CPA qualification is welcome but not required.
• The ability to work independently, resolve accounting issues and elevate significant questions promptly.
• An approachable, collaborative communication style, with confidence following up with project managers and explaining accounting requirements clearly.
• A willingness to handle detailed transaction work while retaining responsibility for the quality of the overall financials.

What We Offer

• Salary: $85k-100k
• Hybrid Office Schedule
• Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• 401K Employer Match program
• Commuter Benefits
• Paid Time Off including Vacation Days, Personal Days, Sick Days
• Company-wide closure last week of the year
• 10 Federal Holidays Observed

The Independents Group embraces and celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The Independents Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join our team!