Accounting Manager

As an Accounting Manager at our HVAC company in St. Louis, you will manage all day-to-day accounting operations, lead the month-end close process, and prepare financial statements. Your responsibilities will also include driving automation initiatives, overseeing accounts payable and receivable, and maintaining the general ledger. You will develop accounting policies and controls while reporting on financial trends and variances to support strategic planning with the leadership team.

To qualify for the Accounting Manager position at our HVAC company, you should have at least 5 years of progressive accounting experience, strong operational accounting expertise, and proficiency in ERP systems, preferably Sage. A Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field is essential, and while a CPA is preferred, it is not mandatory. Experience in the service industry and a hands-on leadership style will also be advantageous.

In the Accounting Manager role at our HVAC company, there is a clear path to advance to the Controller position within 12 months. This upward mobility is part of our commitment to employee development, and as we envision significant growth in the company, you will have the opportunity to further expand your role, potentially stepping into regional leadership across our private equity portfolio.

At our HVAC company, collaboration is key! As the Accounting Manager, you will partner with the General Manager of the service business along with the Regional Controller on reporting and special projects. This teamwork will help foster cross-functional communication and ensure that financial insights are aligned with the company's strategic goals, promoting overall operational success.

As an Accounting Manager at our HVAC company in St. Louis, you can expect a dynamic and collaborative work environment with a focus on innovation and process improvement. Given our ambitious growth plans, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking culture that strongly values employee input and encourages professional development, so you’ll have ample opportunities to make impactful contributions while growing your career.

In your response, highlight specific examples of how you have successfully managed month-end close processes in previous roles. Discuss your methodology, the timeline you adhere to, and any tools or software you use, emphasizing your attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Share your approach to identifying inefficiencies in accounting processes and provide examples of initiatives you’ve implemented in the past. Discuss how you utilize automation tools and integrate them into daily operations to streamline procedures and reduce manual errors.

Discuss your systematic approach to maintaining financial integrity, such as regular audits, reconciliations, and implementing strong internal controls. Emphasize your commitment to accuracy and compliance with relevant accounting standards.

Reflect on your leadership philosophy—whether it's hands-on involvement or a more delegatory approach. Provide examples of how you have motivated and developed your team, handled conflicts, and ensured productive collaboration within your accounting team.

Share the resources you use to keep current, such as industry publications, online courses, professional memberships, and networking with fellow accountants. Highlight your proactive approach and how this knowledge has benefited your previous roles.

Be candid about real challenges you encountered, focusing on specific situations where you needed to adapt or problem-solve. Describe your thought process, the steps you took, and the outcomes, showcasing your analytical and critical thinking skills.

Illustrate your organizational skills. Talk about how you assess urgency, set timelines, and manage resources. You might share a specific instance where prioritization made a significant difference in meeting a critical deadline.

Offer a detailed example of an automation project you led or contributed to, discussing the system, the rationale for its implementation, and the measurable results—like time savings or errors reduced—that followed.

Detail your approach to variance analysis, how you identify and explain discrepancies, and how you present these insights. Discuss the tools and technologies you have used to streamline this process, enabling clarity and strategic planning.

Speak about your process for investigating discrepancies. Explain how you ensure accuracy, collaborate with your team, and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders while considering compliance and transparency.