Accounting Manager-Shared Services

Agility Retail Group; Rosemont (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Agility Retail Group is seeking a Shared Services Manager to lead the professionalization of its shared services function as the company scales post-PE-backed growth. You will standardize AP/AR/cash, implement new systems, and align operations with GAAP, while building a team of four and partnering with operations and sales to drive process changes.

This role reports to the CFO and requires a hands-on leader capable of delivering scalable controls and timely, accurate reporting across eight

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience with team leadership.
• Experience in multi-entity or shared services environments.
• Strong GAAP knowledge, accruals, reconciliations, and close processes.
• Hands-on systems implementation and adoption (Acumatica a plus).
• Ability to drive process changes with non-finance teams (ops/sales).

Responsibilities

• Lead standardized accounting processes across eight companies.
• Integrate acquired businesses into corporate accounting and timelines.
• Align historical practices to a centralized shared services model.
• Redesign upstream processes to ensure complete and timely accounting.
• Build playbook for onboarding new companies into SSC.
• Define ownership between SSC and divisional accounting.
• Oversee month-end close and reporting across entities.
• Support audits and compliance activities.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Team leadership

ERP systems

Acumatica experience

Process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Intercompany accounting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Acumatica ERP

Job description

Agility Retail Group is a full-service partner for creating unique and engaging in-store retail environments. With decades of experience supporting leading retailers across a wide range of end markets, we specialize in delivering innovative solutions including décor and graphics, custom fixtures and millwork, point-of-purchase displays, and store design. Today we operate eight companies with approximately 500 employees.

Agility Retail combines dedicated design, engineering, and project management expertise with nationwide production capabilities to execute high-quality retail programs at scale. Our reputation is built on the breadth of services we provide, consistent performance, and a strong commitment to helping brands bring their store experiences to life.

Why Join Agility Retail Group

This is an opportunity to build shared services the right way in a PE-backed company that has more than doubled in size over the past two years. Reporting directly to the CFO and working alongside our BU controllers, you will lead the effort to replace local workarounds with standard processes, systems, and controls across eight operating companies, working side by side with operations and sales leaders to make those changes stick.

Position Summary

As we continue integrating recently acquired businesses, many of which have historically operated on cash-based accounting processes, we are focused on transitioning to standardized GAAP-compliant reporting, scalable internal controls, and enterprise-wide systems alignment.

The Shared Services Manager will lead the professionalization of Agility Retail Group's shared services function. Day-to-day transaction processing is handled by an established team and supervisor; this role's focus is designing and implementing the systems, processes, and controls that allow that team, and the business, to scale. Success requires working directly with operations and sales leaders to change how work flows into accounting, not just how accounting processes it.

This role requires a hands-on leader with strong technical accounting knowledge, direct systems implementation experience, the credibility to drive change outside of finance, and the ability to manage and develop a growing shared services team.

What Success Looks Like in the First 12 Months

• Standardized, documented AP, AR, and cash application processes adopted across all operating companies
• A clear approval and control framework for purchasing, vendor and customer setup, and billing, agreed with operations and sales leadership
• Shared services subledgers closed and reconciled on a schedule that supports a 10 day monthly close
• Shared services KPIs (for example, DSO, DPO, unapplied cash, shipped-not-billed, and invoice cycle time) defined and reported monthly
• A shared services team that works from documented SOPs and needs less day-to-day escalation

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of standardized accounting processes across eight operating companies
• Support integration of newly acquired businesses into our corporate accounting structure and reporting timelines
• Drive alignment of historical local practices into a centralized shared services model
• Partner with operations and sales leaders to redesign upstream processes (order entry, shipping and billing, purchasing, and vendor and customer setup) so transactions reach accounting complete, accurate, and on time
• Build a repeatable playbook for onboarding newly acquired companies into shared services processes, systems, and payroll
• Partner with business unit controllers to define clear ownership between shared services and divisional accounting

Systems, ERP & Chart of Accounts

• Manage and maintain the corporate Chart of Accounts (COA), ensuring consistency and scalability
• Lead the selection and implementation of new systems and automation (for example, AP automation and AR/cash application tools), optimize use of Acumatica ERP across entities, and support future enterprise-wide ERP standardization
• Lead process improvements and system adoption for teams transitioning from cash-based accounting and legacy systems

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Establish and strengthen internal controls across purchasing, master data, AP, AR, Payroll, and month-end close processes
• Ensure accounting operations comply with GAAP standards and reporting expectations
• Own shared services audit deliverables (PBC schedules, documentation, and controls evidence) to support an efficient annual audit

Shared Services Operations Oversight

• Through the Shared Services Supervisor, oversee day-to-day accounting operations including:
• Accounts Payable workflows and vendor management
• Accounts Receivable billing and cash application processes
• Bank reconciliations and cash reporting support
• Payroll coordination and compliance support
• Intercompany accounting and reconciliations
• Accurate AR aging and AP data supporting lender and borrowing base reporting
• Lead and develop a team of four direct reports to start, with room to grow
• Build capacity and structure for scalable accounting operations
• Build team self-sufficiency through documented SOPs, training, and clear ownership, reducing reliance on escalation
• Foster a culture of accountability, process discipline, and continuous improvement

Month-End Close & Reporting Support

• Support monthly close activities across multiple entities
• Ensure timely, accurate reconciliations and reporting packages
• Collaborate closely with corporate finance, FP&A, and operating leadership
• Support sales tax compliance by maintaining accurate customer exemption certificates and transaction data across entities

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including team leadership
• Experience working in a multi-entity or shared services environment
• Strong accounting foundation: GAAP, accruals, reconciliations, multi-entity close, and internal control frameworks
• Hands-on experience implementing new systems or processes and driving their adoption (Acumatica experience a plus)
• Track record of driving process change with non-finance teams such as operations and sales

Preferred

• CPA preferred, but not required; CMA or MBA also valued
• Experience integrating acquisitions or transitioning businesses from non-standard accounting practices
• Background in PE-backed or high-growth manufacturing/import/distribution environments
• Experience supporting audits and building accounting infrastructure
• Process-driven and operationally minded
• Influences without authority: credible with operations and sales leaders, able to explain why a process or control matters and win buy-in
• Comfortable building structure where little exists today, while respecting the knowledge of long-tenured team members
• Skilled at change management and bringing structure to legacy systems
• High ownership mentality with a hands-on leadership approach
• Builds teams that work independently by coaching through SOPs and training rather than doing the work for them