Outsourced Accounting Lead Consultant (Higher Education)

Withum PC; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Withum’s Outsourced Accounting Systems and Services (OASyS) team in Buffalo, NY seeks an Outsourced Accounting Lead Consultant to join our hybrid office, three days in the office. You will oversee and mentor staff while delivering high‑quality accounting services across multiple industries.

You’ll lead month‑end close, manage AP/Payroll, and partner with client leadership to translate financial results into actionable decisions, ensuring strong internal controls and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• CPA preferred and/or MBA equivalent.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Experience in outsourced accounting, advisory, public accounting, or consulting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team; assign work and review deliverables.
• Oversee accounts payable workflows, including review/approval of vendor payments and documentation.
• Review payroll processing and related filings with client HR/payroll providers.
• Lead the month-end close process, review journal entries, and ensure timely reconciliations.
• Review balance sheet reconciliations and resolve variances (cash, AR, prepaids, fixed assets, accruals).
• Support budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and performance analytics for actionable decisions.
• Partner with client leadership as the day-to-day point of contact and communicate status/risks.
• Coordinate external reviews and annual financial statement audits; manage auditor requests.
• Evaluate internal controls and streamline close/reporting processes; promote best practices.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Client service

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Sage Intacct

QuickBooks Online

Excel

Job description

**Job Description:**Withum’s Outsourced Accounting Systems and Services (OASyS) team is seeking an **Outsourced Accounting Lead Consultant** to join our growing team in our Buffalo, NY office. This role will be a **hybrid-based** position (3 days in the office required). The Outsourced Accounting Lead Consultant will oversee and work together with staff and senior team members to service a wide range of industries. Are you a proven problem solver with a knack for numbers? Are you dedicated, hardworking and a great team player? If so, this position may be for you!Withum’s brand is a reflection of our people, our culture and our strength. Withum has become synonymous with teamwork and client service excellence. The cornerstone of our success can truly be accredited to the dedicated professionals who work here every day, whose mission is to help our clients grow and thrive - to be in a position of strength. But our commitment goes beyond our clients as we continue to live the Withum Way, promoting personal and professional growth for all team members, clients, and surrounding communities.**How You’ll Spend Your Time:*** Managing and mentoring a team of professionals; assign work, review deliverables, and support development through coaching and feedback* Overseeing accounts payable workflows, including review/approval of vendor and contractor payments and maintenance of appropriate supporting documentation* Reviewing and approving payroll processing and related filings in collaboration with client HR/payroll providers* Leading the month-end close process, including reviewing proposed journal entries, ensuring timely reconciliations, and maintaining an accurate general ledger* Reviewing and approving all proposed journal entries (e.g., revenue, payroll, accruals, reclasses) and confirm appropriate supporting details* Reviewing balance sheet reconciliations and resolve variances, including cash, AR, prepaid, fixed assets, accruals, and other key accounts* Supporting budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and performance analytics; help clients translate results into actionable operational decisions* Partnering with client leadership (owners, administrators, controllers, practice managers) as the day-to-day point of contact; proactively communicate status, risks, and recommendations* Coordinating and facilitating external reviews and annual financial statement audits; manage auditor requests and support timely issuance of deliverables* Evaluating and strengthening internal controls; streamline close and reporting processes; help implement best practices across AP, AR, payroll, and general ledger activities**The Kinds of People We Want to Talk to Have Many of The Following:*** Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required* CPA preferred and/or MBA equivalent* 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership and review responsibilities* Demonstrated client service experience (outsourced accounting, advisory, public accounting, or consulting) with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines* Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial results and recommendations to non-finance stakeholders* Preferred experience with Sage Intacct and/or QuickBooks Online; strong proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, lookups, and data validation)* Experience working with construction, manufacturing, distribution and oilfield service industries; a basic understanding of accounting reporting preferred* Strong knowledge of month-end close, GAAP-based financial statements, account reconciliations, and internal controls; continuous-improvement mindset* Proven ability to lead teams, collaborate cross-functionally, and build trusted relationships with clients and internal stakeholders* Involvement in their community and desire to “give back”The compensation for this position ranges from $85,000-$95,000. In addition to the base compensation, Withum offers a competitive benefits package and bonus program (for eligible roles) based on individual and firm performance. Final offer amounts are based on multiple factors such as the specific role, hiring location, as well as the individual’s skills, experience and qualifications. For additional information on our benefits, visit our website at https://www.withum.com/careers/.