Job Details

Accounting Manager

Carpinteria, CA | On-Site

Salary Commensurate with Experience

The Clark Agency is conducting an exclusive search on behalf of our growing client. Located in beautiful Carpinteria, CA, our client operates with a tight-knit team of 20–25 employees and has a strong track record of profitability. This is a hands-on player/coach role that will oversee the full accounting function while helping to build financial acumen across the team.

The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the accounting function and financial reporting, ensuring accurate and timely reporting that is compliant with GAAP. This role requires full ownership of daily bookkeeping, month-end close, and FP&A activities, while maintaining strong communication with both the local team and the corporate accounting group. The Accounting Manager plays a critical role in safeguarding financial integrity and supporting informed decision-making across the organization.

Daily Accounting Operations

• Record all financial activity in Epicor, including bills received, customer invoices, payments made/received, credit card transactions, and other relevant entries.
• Generate customer invoices in Epicor on the same day that services are completed, products are shipped, or project milestones are approved.
• Process and post employee expense reports, ensuring accuracy, proper approvals, and timely reimbursements.
• Deposit all customer payments (checks) on the same day they are received and establish backup processes when out of office.
• Maintain an organized electronic filing system for all financial documents on the company server.

Expense & Transaction Management

• Monitor and categorize all expenses in the Epicor general ledger, ensuring each expense/bill is coded to the correct general ledger account and assigned to the proper job for COGS direct expenses.
• Review and obtain approvals for all invoices from the purchaser or PO originator.
• Maintain a list of outstanding bills requiring approval to ensure completeness of expenses and support month-end accruals.
• Record all approved bills into the Accounts Payable Subledger in Epicor.

Accounts Receivable

• Manage the end-to-end accounts receivable process, including sending invoices and statements to customers.
• Follow up on overdue payments through calls and emails.
• Coordinate collection efforts for accounts more than 30 days past due, escalating to OpCo Management and the CFO when necessary.

Project Financial Analysis & WIP Accounting

• Analyze project profitability, cost trends, and forecast accuracy at both the project and OpCo level.
• Collaborate with project managers and leadership to review project performance, validate forecast assumptions, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support cash flow forecasting and working capital management by monitoring billing status, retainage, and project close-out activity.
• Prepare, maintain, and analyze Work In Process (WIP) schedules for this project-based business.
• Reconcile WIP schedules with the general ledger, identify variances, and flag risks related to cost overruns or margin erosion.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP (including ASC 606 or construction-type revenue recognition standards) and prepare monthly WIP reporting packages for leadership.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare ad hoc financial reports as requested by corporate or the OpCo President.
• Provide proactive communication regarding financial and operational issues, trends, or potential concerns.
• Prepare weekly cash flow forecasts and escalate potential problems as needed.

Communication, Collaboration & Strategic Responsibilities

• Work closely with other departments and external parties to resolve financial discrepancies and provide strategic financial advice.
• Create systems and processes that enhance financial rigor company-wide.
• Train OpCo staff to become more financially minded.
• Supervise junior accounting staff.
• Track and maintain accurate finance and operational KPIs, suggesting new metrics as needed.
• Manage net working capital to maximize cash flow through timely collections and vendor negotiations.
• Partner with procurement on inventory reconciliation and carrying cost management.
• Utilize job costing analytics to provide insights into job and customer profitability.
• Support the OpCo President with accurate forecasting and budgeting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA preferred
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory or management exposure.
• Proficiency in Epicor or similar ERP systems; experience with Certify or similar expense management software is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial controls, WIP/project accounting, and job costing.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and advanced Excel/financial modeling capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.