Outsourced Accounting Lead Consultant (Higher Education)

WithumSmith+Brown PC; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

WithumSmith+Brown, PC is seeking an Outsourced Accounting Lead Consultant in Buffalo, NY. The role is hybrid (3 days in office) and leads a team servicing multiple industries.

You will oversee payroll, AP, month-end close, and client liaison with leadership; drive process improvements and strong internal controls. The compensation ranges from $85,000-$95,000 plus benefits and bonus opportunities based on performance and location.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required.
• CPA preferred and/or MBA equivalent.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Outsourced accounting, advisory, public accounting, or consulting experience.
• Strong communication skills for presenting financial results to non-finance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of professionals.
• Assign work, review deliverables, and coach for development.
• Oversee accounts payable workflows and vendor payments.
• Review and approve payroll processing and related filings with client HR/payroll providers.
• Lead the month-end close process with accurate GL and reconciliations.
• Review journal entries and ensure appropriate supporting documentation.
• Coordinate external reviews and annual financial statement audits.
• Strengthen internal controls and streamline close and reporting processes.

Skills

Leadership

Accounting

Excel

Sage Intacct

QuickBooks Online

Client service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

CPA preferred

MBA equivalent

Tools

Sage Intacct

QuickBooks Online

Excel

Job description

Withum is a place where talent thrives - where who you are matters. It’s a place of endless opportunities for growth. A place where entrepreneurial energy plus inclusive teamwork equals exponential results. Explore different industries. Learn new skills. Connect with our diverse teams of professionals to gain insight into the career you envision. Your Career Starts with You.

Experience the Transformative Power of Withum Plus You - that’s the Power in the Plus! 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/. #LI-MD!1 #LI-Hybrid

WithumSmith+Brown, PC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, (including pregnancy), genetic information, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, disability or handicap, veteran status, weight, height, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

At Withum, all employment opportunities are posted and accepted applications are received exclusively through our official Careers website.

The Withum Way We believe that knowing who you are comes from knowing what you stand for. At Withum, we stand for doing things The Withum Way. This unique philosophy and culture, built on integrity, trust and transparency, give us the power to create immense opportunities for our clients, team members and communities.

Follow @withumcpa on Instagram for more on our team members experiencing the Withum Way. That's the Power in the Plus!

Withum is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and an accessible recruiting experience for all applicants.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to search for a position, complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise engage in any part of the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us for assistance.

We will work with qualified individuals to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws and our commitment to an inclusive workplace.