Portfolio Accounting Manager

American Operator LLC; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental + Vision

401(k) with match

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Job summary

American Operator LLC is seeking its first Portfolio Accounting Manager to build and oversee day-to-day accounting for ~20 operating companies. You will shape the function, systems, and team from the ground up, balancing hands-on work with strategic dialogue with operator-CEOs.

You will own the monthly close, implement integration playbooks for acquisitions, design internal controls, and lead a lean team of Portfolio Accountants while partnering with the VP, Accounting and Corporate Controller

Qualifications

• 8+ years in progressive accounting with multi‑subsidiary ownership.
• 3+ years of people management and team development.
• Experience building processes from scratch with strong controls.
• Experience integrating acquired companies and QoE/PPAs.
• Hands-on with lean teams and operator conversations.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly close for portfolio companies within 5 business days.
• Develop and implement the acquisition integration playbook.
• Design internal controls and governance across operating companies.
• Leverage automation and AI tools to streamline close.
• Hire, onboard, and develop Portfolio Accountants.
• Explain results to operator-CEOs and connect actions to KPIs.
• Partner with Portfolio Growth on budgets and KPIs.
• Support audit, tax, treasury, and payroll during close.
• Continuously improve the accounting playbook as assets grow.

Skills

Financial leadership

Month-end close

Team management

Process improvement

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Ramp

HubSpot

Gusto

Housecall Pro

ServiceTitan

Job description

American Operator is looking to bring on our first Portfolio Accounting Manager to build and oversee day-to-day accounting processes, serve as a financial partner to our operator-CEOs, and eventually lead a team of Portfolio Accountants supporting approximately 20 operating companies each.

This role will help shape the accounting function, systems, processes, and team from the ground up. The ideal candidate enjoys building, can move comfortably between hands-on accounting and operator conversations, and thrives in an evolving environment. This role will report to our VP, Accounting and Corporate Controller.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close for portfolio companies, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, P&L flux commentary, and portfolio-level reporting, with a target of closing every month in 5 business days.
• Create the pre- and post-acquisition accounting integration playbook, including supporting QoE analysis, cash-to-accrual conversions, and PPAs; opening operating bank accounts; bringing opening balance sheets, typically from QuickBooks Online, into American Operator’s ERP; and transitioning newly acquired businesses onto our accounting processes and technology.
• Design and document operating company internal controls, including approvals, segregation of duties, cash and banking controls, and vendor setup.
• Use technology and automation, including bank rules, AP automation, expense management, close software, and AI tools, to maintain a lean team and accelerate the close process.
• Hire, onboard, train, and manage Portfolio Accountants, including assigning workloads, reviewing work, and supporting professional development.
• Meet regularly with operator-CEOs to explain monthly results in clear, practical terms, including what drove revenue, margin, and cash performance and what actions should follow.
• Partner with the Portfolio Growth team on operating KPIs, budgets, and performance reviews.
• Support the Controller with audit, tax, treasury, and payroll needs by delivering clean, well-documented operating company financials and supporting schedules.
• Continuously improve the accounting playbook as American Operator acquires businesses across new industries.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of day-to-day operational accounting and month-end close processes across multiple subsidiaries.
• 3+ years of experience managing accountants, including assigning work, reviewing reconciliations, and developing team members.
• Demonstrated experience building accounting processes from scratch and/or significantly modernizing existing processes, with a focus on efficiency and appropriate controls.
• Experience integrating acquired companies, including opening balance sheets, post-close cleanup, and working across a variety of data sources and technologies.
• A hands‑on, “can‑do” approach and willingness to operate as part of a lean initial team consisting of you and the Corporate Controller.
• Working knowledge of accounting matters common to small operating businesses, including inventory and COGS, job costing and WIP, fixed assets, accruals, and payroll.
• Ability to explain P&L statements, balance sheets, cash flow, and aging reports to individuals without a financial background.
• A passion for providing financial expertise to small businesses and supporting their growth.
• Ability to work effectively in an ambiguous, build‑oriented environment where the systems, team, and playbook are still taking shape.
• A strong belief in the importance of small businesses and an interest in helping them remain locally owned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active CPA license.
• Experience working within private equity, a holding company, a multi‑entity roll‑up, or another highly acquisitive organization.
• Experience preparing or analyzing QoE reports and PPAs and converting small‑business financials from cash to accrual accounting.
• Industry experience in construction, the trades, distribution, manufacturing, or retail.
• Hands‑on experience with tools such as Ramp, HubSpot, Gusto, and field‑service platforms such as Housecall Pro or ServiceTitan.

Compensation

$140K - $160K

Benefits

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a company‑matched 401(k), unlimited PTO, paid holidays, and paid parental leave

LOCATION & TRAVEL

Candidates based in Austin, New York City, or the surrounding areas will be expected to commute to and work from our local office. Candidates outside of these regions may work remotely. Periodic travel to both Austin and New York City will be required regardless of location.

About The Team

American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting, and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well, we need a team that reflects the real world: operators, builders, investors, and problem‑solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

MISSION-DRIVEN

Every company claims to be mission‑driven, but our mission is simple, tangible, and urgent: preserve the legacy of America’s small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership.

We partner with operators who want to step into leadership, take responsibility for great companies, and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed, communities keep their employers, families keep their livelihoods, and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership.

We work hard because we know what’s at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive, and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown, the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns, stronger than before.

Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO, preserve a founder’s life’s work, and strengthen a community, all in the same job? That’s what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.