Interim Accounting Manager

Brilliant®; Canton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Brilliant®, a large private transportation/utility safety client, is seeking a contract Accounting Manager to be onsite in Canton, OH. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance and 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibilities.

The incumbent will strengthen the monthly close, standardize accounting procedures, and improve team accountability to ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership as Accounting Manager or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of general accounting principles and month-end close.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly financial close with a target eight-business-day close.
• Oversee month-end activities: reconciliations, journal entries, GL, and reporting support.
• Establish standardized accounting policies, procedures, and SOPs.
• Ensure payroll postings weekly and cash transactions daily.
• Set deadlines and accountability to ensure deliverables.
• Mentor two Senior Staff Accountants and one Staff Accountant.
• Collaborate with Director of Accounting, VP/Controller, and regional controllers to improve operations.
• Monitor procedures and address gaps; enforce accountability.
• Support ERP transitions and system enhancements.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Month-end close

GAAP knowledge

Excel proficiency

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

A large private transportation / utility safety client of ours with HQ in Canton, OH is seeking a contract Accounting Manager (Onsite / 5 day in office model).

Bachelor degree in Accounting or Finance required.

This individual will play a key role in strengthening the monthly close process, establishing standardized accounting procedures, improving team accountability, and ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and manage the monthly financial close process, with a primary objective of achieving a consistent eight-business-day close.
• Oversee month-end close activities, including account reconciliations, journal entries, general ledger activity, and financial reporting support.
• Establish, document, and implement standardized accounting policies, procedures, and SOPs to improve consistency and accuracy.
• Ensure payroll transactions are accurately posted on a weekly basis and cash transactions are recorded daily.
• Establish clear deadlines, responsibilities, and accountability measures to ensure the accounting team consistently meets deliverables.
• Evaluate existing accounting workflows and identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiencies, and strengthen internal controls.
• Provide hands-on guidance, direction, and support to a team of two Senior Staff Accountants and one Staff Accountant.
• Partner with the Director of Accounting, VP/Controller, and regional controllers to improve communication, collaboration, and overall accounting operations.
• Monitor the execution of established procedures, identify gaps, and ensure team members follow through on assigned responsibilities.
• Assist with stabilizing and organizing accounting operations while driving process improvements and change management initiatives.
• Navigate multiple legacy accounting systems and utilize Excel to analyze financial data, manage reconciliations, and support reporting activities.
• Help prepare the accounting function for future system enhancements and potential ERP transition initiatives.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in an Accounting Manager or similar leadership capacity.
• Strong understanding of general accounting principles, month-end close procedures, account reconciliations, journal entries, and general ledger accounting.
• Demonstrated experience improving and managing monthly close processes, ideally within an environment requiring greater structure and accountability.
• Proven ability to develop, document, and implement accounting policies, procedures, and SOPs.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and holding accounting teams accountable for deadlines and deliverables.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to work across multiple accounting systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to establish expectations, collaborate with team members, and work effectively with senior leadership.