Accounting Manager: Lead Scaled Close & Controls

Brighton Science; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Brighton Science is seeking an Accounting Manager to bring structure and rigor to a growing finance function. You will own the monthly close, coordinate with the Controller on compliance-sensitive reporting tied to DOD and GSA contract vehicles, and drive process improvements that leave the organization more efficient and auditable.

The ideal candidate will be detail-driven, proactive, and capable of independent prioritization in a lean finance team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting.
• 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, including prior general ledger ownership.
• Excellent knowledge of GAAP and financial statement preparation.
• 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).
• Advanced Excel skills and willingness to use AI to provide meaningful operating insight.
• Experience with Claude is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience building, improving, or automating accounting processes, rather than simply operating within established systems.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems independently and drive them to resolution.
• Comfortable operating on a lean, hands‑on finance team.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly and quarterly close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analysis, ensuring the close closes on schedule and the GL stays audit-ready.
• Apply cost accounting practices consistent with FAR and CAS requirements across DOD cost-reimbursable and GSA MAS contract activity, in coordination with the Controller.
• 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 — from close-cycle bottlenecks to reconciliation weaknesses.
• Establish and maintain accounting procedures and controls appropriate for a growing organization.
• Maintain clean, well-organized, and audit-ready financial records.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Advanced Excel

ERP experience

Cost accounting

Financial reporting

SaaS experience

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting

Tools

Sage 50

Job description

Brighton Science is seeking an Accounting Manager to bring structure and rigor to a growing finance function. You will own the monthly close, coordinate with the Controller on compliance-sensitive reporting tied to DOD and GSA contract vehicles, and drive process improvements that leave the organization more efficient and auditable.

The ideal candidate will be detail-driven, proactive, and capable of independent prioritization in a lean finance team.