Accounting Manager

BOWA; North Dakota; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP exposure

Job summary

BOWA is seeking an Accounting Manager / Assistant Controller to lead the finance team and own month-end close, billing, and reporting. The role starts hands-on with Sage 300 CRE, then grows into people leadership of the accounting function.

The position offers exposure to ESOP mechanics within a growing ESOP company, with a path to Assistant Controller / Controller. CPA is a plus, ramp time provided, and collaboration across project teams is essential.

Qualifications

• 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 AI-assisted tools (e.g., Claude, Claude Cowork, ChatGPT).
• Detail-oriented, strong communicator, discreet with sensitive information, and ownership-minded ESOP culture fit.

Responsibilities

• Own Month-End Close & Financial Reporting, including journal entries, reconciliations, and close checklist.
• Manage Client Billing & Revenue Cycle, ensuring contract terms alignment and timely invoicing.
• Strengthen Accounting Systems & Processes; document key workflows and payroll inputs.
• Build Toward Team Leadership; ramp to supervise the Finance team and partner with leaders.
• Serve as Principal Accounting Contact for Division Leaders on cost, budgets, and reporting.
• Support ESOP & CFO-level financial needs with ad hoc analyses and audits.

Skills

Strong Excel skills

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Discreet with sensitive information

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

CPA license encouraged

Tools

Sage 300 CRE

AI-assisted tools

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
• 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.