Accounting Manager: Close, Controls & Compliance

Trakstar; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Brighton Science, headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, is seeking an Accounting Manager to bring structure and rigor to a growing finance function. You will own the monthly close, ensuring audit-ready records and compliance with DOD and GSA contracts, while leading process improvements across the GL and cost accounting areas.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years of accounting experience, GAAP expertise, and hands-on ERP knowledge. SaaS and AI-assisted insight are a plus in a lean, hands-on finance team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting.
• 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, including prior general ledger ownership.
• Advanced Excel skills and willingness to use AI to provide meaningful operating insight.
• Experience with SaaS offerings is a plus.
• Government contracting experience (DCAA, FAR/CAS compliance) is a plus.
• Solid understanding of cost accounting.
• Hands-on ERP experience (Sage 50 or a comparable mid-market system).

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly and quarterly close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Apply cost accounting practices consistent with FAR and CAS requirements across DOD cost-reimbursable and GSA MAS contract activity.
• Support Avalara/AvaTax sales tax compliance, including reconciliations and review of sales tax payments.
• Assist with PO-first purchasing controls and expense card platform administration to strengthen spend controls.
• Prepare schedules and documentation for the annual financial statement audit and tax return preparation.
• Proactively identify process and control gaps before they surface as issues, and lead the resolution.
• Establish and maintain accounting procedures and controls appropriate for a growing organization.
• Maintain clean, well-organized, and audit-ready financial records.

Skills

Attention to detail

Process automation

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting

Tools

Sage 50

Excel

Claude

Job description

Brighton Science, headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, is seeking an Accounting Manager to bring structure and rigor to a growing finance function. You will own the monthly close, ensuring audit-ready records and compliance with DOD and GSA contracts, while leading process improvements across the GL and cost accounting areas.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years of accounting experience, GAAP expertise, and hands-on ERP knowledge. SaaS and AI-assisted insight are a plus in a lean, hands-on finance team.