Accounting Manager (Individual Contributor)

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (1-2 Days on site in Sunnyvale)

Department: Finance
Reports To: VP of Finance

Position Overview

We are a rapidly growing technology and cybersecurity company seeking an experienced Accounting Manager to join our Finance team. This is a hands-on individual contributor (IC) role responsible for owning key accounting processes, leading the monthly close, strengthening internal controls, and driving process improvements as the company scales.

While this position does not initially include direct people management responsibilities, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate leadership through cross-functional collaboration, process ownership, mentoring of junior team members, and the development of scalable accounting practices. As the organization grows, this role may evolve to include team leadership responsibilities.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with operational excellence, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Close & Financial Reporting

Lead and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and US GAAP-compliant financial reporting.
Own the end-to-end close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules.
Oversee balance sheet account reconciliations and ensure timely resolution of variances and reconciling items.
Identify, investigate, and resolve accounting issues while implementing sustainable corrective actions.
Maintain high standards of financial accuracy, completeness, and compliance.

Technical Accounting & Compliance

Apply strong knowledge of US GAAP to accounting transactions and financial reporting requirements.
Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and best practices.
Design, strengthen, and continuously improve internal controls to support a scalable control environment.
Support SOX compliance initiatives, including control documentation, testing, remediation, and audit readiness.
Ensure compliance with regulatory, audit, and corporate governance requirements.

Audit Management

Serve as a primary contact for external auditors.
Lead audit preparation, coordination, and execution for quarterly and annual audits.
Coordinate audit requests, support documentation, and issue resolution.
Partner with auditors and internal stakeholders to ensure efficient audit completion.

Fixed Assets & Operational Accounting

Own fixed asset accounting, including capitalization, depreciation, sub-ledger maintenance, and physical asset verification processes.
Ensure proper accounting treatment and reporting for operational accounting activities.
Monitor accounting processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.

Process Improvement & Automation

Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and scale accounting processes.
Lead process transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce close timelines, and enhance reporting quality.
Partner with Finance Systems and IT teams on ERP enhancements, integrations, and system implementations.
Leverage technology to eliminate manual processes and strengthen reporting capabilities.

Cross-Functional Partnership

Partner closely with FP&A, Operations, Sales, HR, Legal, and executive leadership teams.
Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning activities.
Provide accounting guidance and financial insights to business stakeholders.
Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment between accounting, operational, and business objectives.

Leadership & Ownership

Demonstrate leadership through accountability, initiative, and process ownership.
Mentor and support junior accounting team members when appropriate.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Proactively identify risks, control gaps, and process weaknesses.
Perform root-cause analysis when issues arise and implement long-term solutions.
Operate effectively in situations where processes are evolving or not fully established.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

Communicate complex accounting concepts effectively to both finance and non-finance audiences.
Present financial information and recommendations to management.
Influence decisions through strong business partnership, analytical thinking, and effective communication.
Demonstrate the confidence to challenge assumptions and advocate for accounting integrity when necessary.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
6–10+ years of progressive accounting experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
Strong knowledge of US GAAP, financial reporting, and month-end close processes.
Demonstrated experience owning full-cycle close and financial statement preparation.
Experience with account reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and audit support.
Experience designing and improving accounting processes, internal controls, and operational workflows.
Experience supporting external audits and working within SOX or SOX-like control environments.
Advanced proficiency with Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and financial analysis.
Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite or similar accounting platforms.
Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

CPA (active or inactive) strongly preferred.
Experience in SaaS, software, cybersecurity, or other high-growth technology companies.
Experience with ERP implementations, system integrations, and finance transformation projects.
Experience building scalable accounting processes and control environments.
Prior leadership experience through project ownership, mentoring, or cross-functional initiatives.
Experience preparing organizations for growth, audit readiness, and enhanced financial controls.

Critical Success Factors

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

End-to-end ownership of the accounting close process.
Strong technical accounting and financial reporting expertise.
Ability to design and maintain scalable internal controls.
Proven process improvement and automation capabilities.
Audit readiness and external auditor coordination experience.
Strong accountability and problem-solving skills.
Effective partnership with FP&A and business stakeholders.
Ability to operate independently in a high-growth environment.
Excellent communication with both finance and non-finance audiences.
A leadership mindset with the potential to grow into future people management responsibilities.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $140,000 – $180,000 annually

Accounting Manager