Shield Consulting Accounting Manager

Cedar Solutions Group; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical coverage

Dental coverage

Generous PTO

401(k) match

Job summary

Cedar Solutions Group, a Denver-based holding company with Shield Consulting in Maryland, seeks an Accounting Manager to own core accounting functions, financial reporting, and KPI dashboards. You will report to the founders and balance strategic work with day-to-day accounting tasks in a dynamic environment.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of accounting experience, strong Excel skills, and GAAP expertise, with CPA/CMA preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of accounting experience with GAAP, multi-entity consolidation.
• Public accounting experience preferred.
• Proficient in Excel with advanced formulas and modeling.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now and Dynamics 365 BC preferred.
• CPA or CMA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review financial statements, cash flow, and schedules.
• Manage month-end close and reporting processes.
• Conduct variance analysis to improve reporting insights.
• Own KPI dashboard with 95%+ formula/data accuracy.
• Oversee general ledger entries and reconciliations.
• Oversee payroll processing, deductions, bonuses, and tax withholdings.
• Coordinate time entries and invoicing with prime contractors.
• Mentor accounting staff and support audits and compliance.
• Participate in government contracting billing and proposals.
• Develop budgets and forecasts; manage cash flow and working capital.
• Oversee AP, vendor payments, and expense reimbursements.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Multi-entity consolidation

Excel modeling

ADP Workforce Now

Dynamics 365 BC

CPA or CMA

Communication with leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/BA or related field

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Job description

About Cedar Solutions Group

Cedar Solutions Group is a Denver, Colorado-based holding company that acquires and operates government-services businesses across the United States. Cedar is driven by a people-first mission: invest in exceptional talent and technology to deliver effective government solutions. We are uniquely long-term oriented - we seek to hold and grow our businesses indefinitely, not flip them.

Cedar is backed by Evergreen Services Group and Alpine Investors, a leading private equity firm focused on services and software with $16B+ in AUM. Our portfolio companies benefit from proven playbooks, shared resources, and a culture built on accountability, continuous improvement, and genuine care for people.

About the Operating Company

Shield Consulting is a Maryland-based government contractor specializing in high-end technical support and subcontracting services. With a focused and skilled team operating in the Intelligence Community, this business has established itself as a trusted partner to prime contractors and government customers alike.

The Opportunity

Cedar Solutions Group is seeking a highly skilled Accounting Manager to take ownership of our key accounting functions, financial reporting, and KPI dashboard management at one of our operating companies. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial acumen, mastery in Excel modeling, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. This individual will thrive in a dynamic environment, effectively balancing strategic responsibilities with day-to-day accounting tasks. Reporting to the founders, this role is crucial for driving accuracy, improving processes, and supporting company growth.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close:

• Manage accounting activities to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting including profit and loss reports, cash flow analyses, income statements, balance sheets, and supporting schedules.
• Partner with finance team to manage month-end close processes, including financial reporting preparation.
• Collaborate on variance analysis to drive insightful financial reporting.
• Take responsibility for the KPI dashboard, ensuring over 95% accuracy in formulas and data across sheets.
• Executes and oversees general ledger account entries and reconciliations for all areas and functions within Shield.

Payroll & Team Leadership:

• Oversee payroll processing, ensuring accurate deductions, bonuses, and tax withholdings.
• Manage time entries in prime contractor portals for specific contracts.
• Reconcile billable hours between company hours and prime contractors, ensuring accurate tracking and invoicing.
• Support, mentor, train, and coordinate workflows for the accounting staff.
• Handle quarterly 401(k) and profit-sharing deposits.

Government Contracting:

• Actively participate in the proposal process for bidding on new government contracts.
• Assist in billing the Government and establishing compliant workflows for billing prime contracts, including managing accounts receivable collections.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Develop and maintain the budget infrastructure, collaborating on high-level assumptions and reforecasts.
• Oversee cash flow management, banking operations, and working capital to ensure financial stability.

Invoicing & Payables

• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of invoices and resolve any discrepancies or issues.
• Manage accounts payable processes, vendor relationships, and internal controls to maintain compliance and financial integrity.
• Review employee expense reports, reconcile with credit card logs, and process reimbursements via payroll.
• Create and submit invoices for reimbursement through the prime contractor portal.

Process Improvement & Audit:

• Implement and refine internal controls to mitigate financial risks and enhance efficiency.
• Support audit preparation and compliance, ensuring the team is ready for external reviews.

Ad-hoc Projects & Collaboration:

• Monitor the financial system, track down errors, and resolve system issues to maintain data integrity.
• Contribute to special projects such as system migrations, process enhancements, and compliance initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to drive improvements and optimize accounting workflows.

Attributes We Hire For

Financial Acumen & Systems Understanding:

• Demonstrated experience in financial statement preparation, multi-entity consolidation, and compliance with ASC guidance.
• Ownership mindset with a commitment to reporting accurate financial data.

Effective Communication:

• Confident in presenting financial information to senior leadership with clarity and impact.
• Ability to connect day-to-day work with broader organizational goals.

Flexibility & Agility:

• Adaptable to shifting priorities with a proactive approach to taking on new responsibilities.
• A servant leader mindset, willing to roll up their sleeves to support the team.

Emotional Intelligence:

• Humility, accountability, and a people-first attitude.
• Growth mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and empowering others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in accounting, with a strong understanding of financial statement preparation, multi-entity consolidation, and GAAP compliance.
• Experience in public accounting is highly preferred.
• Proficient in Excel, including advanced formulas (lookup, index/match) and model-building.
• Experience in ADP Workforce Now and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) is preferred.
• Proven ability to identify and address data anomalies, ensuring accuracy and consistency in financial reports.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present financial insights to finance leaders.
• Experience leading or supporting financial audits and meeting tax requirements.
• Prior experience with federal government contracting rules and DCAA compliance is preferred.
• CPA or CMA is preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a hybrid position located in Columbia, Maryland.
• The anticipated compensation range for this role is $95K - $110K. The actual offer will reflect the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including full medical and dental coverage, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and more.