Senior Accountant – Wine, Beer & Spirits Importing

Craft Beverage Expo; San Clemente (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Craft Beverage Expo in California seeks a Senior Accountant to own daily accounting operations, support import and distribution activities, and help modernize our systems. This hands-on role requires a numbers-savvy professional who can improve processes and maintain precise records.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of accounting experience, strong QuickBooks and Excel skills, and a collaborative approach. Experience with CBMA and ERP transitions is a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of accounting experience, preferably in wholesale distribution, importing, manufacturing, or inventory-based business.
• Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel.
• Solid understanding of general ledger accounting, accruals, reconciliations, inventory accounting, and COGS.
• Experience managing or overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and monthly financial close.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable performing hands-on accounting tasks, from routine expense reconciliations to more complex financial analysis.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate general ledger and accounting records in QuickBooks.
• Manage month-end closing, journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting.
• Monitor cash balances, upcoming obligations, and working capital requirements.
• Coordinate payroll accounting and related reconciliations.
• Oversee daily accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
• Track inventory in transit and landed costs; support product costing and margin analysis.
• Collaborate with outside CPA on tax matters and year-end financials.
• Assist with ERP implementation and process improvements.

Skills

5+ years accounting

QuickBooks

Excel

General ledger

AP/AR management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

Tools

Encompass

Job description

Senior Accountant – Wine, Beer & Spirits Importing

We are seeking an experienced Senior Accountant to take ownership of our day-to-day accounting operations, maintain accurate financial records, support our import and distribution activities, and help modernize our accounting systems.

This is a hands‑on position for someone who enjoys solving problems, improving processes, and taking responsibility for getting things done. We are not looking for someone who simply prepares financial reports. We want someone who understands the numbers behind the business and helps keep everything running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting & Financial Management

• Maintain accurate general ledger and accounting records in QuickBooks.
• Manage month‑end closing, journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting.
• Monitor cash balances, upcoming obligations, and working capital requirements.
• Maintain organized financial records and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with our outside CPA on tax matters, year‑end financials, and other accounting requirements.

Accounts Payable, Receivable & Expense Management

• Oversee daily accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, including existing accounting support staff.
• Review and reconcile supplier invoices, vendor statements, customer payments, credits, and deductions.
• Monitor outstanding receivables and follow up on payment discrepancies.
• Manage corporate credit card reconciliations, receipt collection, and expense categorization.
• Track and reconcile travel, meals, entertainment, and employee reimbursements.
• Coordinate payroll accounting and related reconciliations.

Inventory Accounting & Landed Costs

• Reconcile inventory between accounting records, warehouse systems, and third‑party logistics providers.
• Track inventory in transit, inventory valuation, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Calculate and reconcile landed costs, including international freight, customs duties, tariffs, brokerage fees, domestic freight, and other associated costs.
• Review supplier invoices, freight invoices, and customs documentation for accuracy.
• Identify and resolve inventory discrepancies.
• Support product costing, profitability analysis, and gross margin calculations.

Import Accounting, Tariffs & CBMA

• Monitor changes in tariffs, customs duties, and other import‑related costs and evaluate their impact on product pricing and margins.
• Maintain accurate accounting records for imported products and related customs charges.
• Track and reconcile benefits, credits, and refunds associated with the Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA).
• Coordinate with suppliers, customs brokers, and logistics partners to obtain supporting documentation.
• Track federal and state excise taxes and coordinate applicable filings with internal teams and outside professionals.
• Review and audit U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form 7501 entry summaries to verify declared values, duty rates, tariffs, excise taxes, and applicable CBMA benefits.
• Identify potential billing discrepancies, overpayments, missed credits, and refund opportunities.
• Experience with CBMA, customs documentation, and Form 7501 is preferred but not required.

Product Pricing & Margin Analysis

• Assist with wholesale product pricing and cost calculations.
• Analyze the financial impact of tariffs, freight increases, supplier price changes, and other cost fluctuations.
• Maintain accurate product cost information for internal pricing decisions.
• Support management with margin analysis by product, supplier, and customer.

ERP Implementation & Process Improvement

• Play an active role in transitioning from QuickBooks to Encompass or a comparable ERP system.
• Assist with data cleanup, chart of accounts development, data migration, and financial reconciliations.
• Help integrate accounting processes with purchasing, inventory, sales, and warehouse operations.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, automate, and improve accounting workflows.
• Develop and maintain practical accounting procedures and internal controls.

Financial Reporting & Business Support

• Prepare clear, concise monthly financial reports for ownership and management.
• Monitor revenue, gross margins, operating expenses, cash flow, and inventory.
• Identify unusual transactions, discrepancies, or financial issues requiring attention.
• Assist with financial information requested by lenders, auditors, and outside advisors.
• Provide reliable financial information to support day‑to‑day business decisions.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 5 years of accounting experience, preferably in wholesale distribution, importing, manufacturing, or another inventory‑based business.
• Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel.
• Solid understanding of general ledger accounting, accruals, reconciliations, inventory accounting, and COGS.
• Experience managing or overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and monthly financial close.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Comfortable performing hands‑on accounting tasks, from routine expense reconciliations to more complex financial analysis.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team‑oriented approach.

Preferred

• Experience in the wine, beer, spirits, or beverage distribution industry.
• Familiarity with international importing, customs duties, tariffs, and landed‑cost accounting.
• Knowledge of CBMA and federal excise taxes.
• Experience reviewing or auditing CBP Form 7501 customs entry summaries.
• Experience with Encompass or similar distribution ERP systems.
• Experience supporting an ERP implementation or accounting system transition.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• A CPA designation is not required.