Manager, Expense Accounting

Company Description

At Brightspeed, we are reimagining how people live, work, play and connect by providing fast, reliable internet connections and an awesome customer experience in twenty states throughout the Midwest and South.

Backed by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, our vision is to accelerate the upgrade of copper to fiber optic technologies, bringing faster and more reliable internet service to many rural markets traditionally underserved by broadband providers, while delivering best-in-class customer experience.  

Be a part of the team that will make this vision a reality….designing and building a world class fiber network and creating a customer experience second to none.

Check us out on the web!  

Job Description

We are currently looking for a Manager, Expense Accounting to join our growing Finance team! In this role, you will report directly to the Senior Manager, Expense Accounting. As Manager, Expense Accounting and supervise at least two Staff Accountants. You will lead the enhancement and implementation of processes, policies, and procedures ensuring the accuracy of expense accounting and reporting, focusing on SG&A. As Manager, Expense Accounting, you will play a major part in the financial month-end closing and reporting processes, in part by managing and ensuring the accuracy of complex journal entries for the company.

In this position, you will partner with key business leaders and finance partners to provide accounting guidance for highly visible expense areas, primarily SG&A, and ensure adherence to both GAAP and company guidance. You will need to have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and will need to be a leader that can motivate and develop staff. Being detail-oriented with strong organization and presentation skills will be essential in analyzing data to effectively communicate both financial and operating results to key stakeholders.

As Manager, Expense Accounting, your duties will include:

• Oversee Expense Accounting for SG&A including payroll, benefits, other employee related activities, and other SG&A expense areas as required.
• Develop end to end accounting processes for all SG&A expense categories
• Assists in managing the monthly, quarterly and yearly close process
• Review and approve journal entries prepared by other team members as well as prepare journal entries for more complex accounting matters
• Prepare/review various balance sheet account reconciliations ensuring proper supporting documentation
• Analyze and document Income Statement and Balance Sheet fluctuations monthly
• Work closely with FP&A to review all SG&A expenses for accuracy and book correcting entries as necessary
• Liaise with teams across multiple departments and locations to obtain and distribute financial information
• Assists in managing external and internal audit activities as necessary
• Assists in developing and implementing Accounting Policies and Standard Operating Procedures to support the tracking and reporting of expense in accordance with GAAP
• Review and enhance analysis and analytical processes and controls
• Prioritize and review staff activities to ensure appropriate work quality and staff productivity
• Manage performance and ensure ongoing development of staff
• Ensure effective working relationships with key business partners
• Perform special projects and any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned

Qualifications

WHAT IT TAKES TO CATCH OUR EYE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA designation, along with excellent fundamental accounting skills
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3+ years in a leadership role
• Experience with large-scale accounting software, preferably SAP
• Experience organizing a large volume of information and identifying and deploying automation tools/solutions
• Proficiency in the use of database tools and financial reporting packages
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
• Clear communicator, experience running meetings effectively, and to explain complex concepts to a non-technical audience
• Complete ownership and accountability of the function given the deadline-oriented nature of the position; adaptable to changing business environment and organizational structure

BONUS POINTS FOR:

• Mixture of audit experience in a mid-sized or larger (Big 4) public accounting firm combined with industry/company accounting experience
• Background in the telecommunications industry
• Experience in cost