Vice President of Accounting

The Vice President of Accounting at Upward Projects is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, which includes managing GL, AP/AR, payroll integration, and the month-end close process. This role also leads the preparation of internal and external financial statements in accordance with GAAP, manages annual audits, and develops scalable accounting policies to support our growing business.

Candidates for the Vice President of Accounting position at Upward Projects must possess a CPA, with a strong preference for those who have a public accounting background. Additionally, at least 10 years of progressive accounting experience is required, including 3-5 years in a leadership role, preferably in a multi-unit or multi-state environment.

The Vice President of Accounting at Upward Projects plays a crucial role in cultivating a culture of accountability and performance. By leading and coaching the accounting team, this role helps create a collaborative environment where team members feel empowered and valued, aligning with the company’s core values.

The Vice President of Accounting role at Upward Projects offers numerous growth opportunities, especially with the company's expansion plans and several new restaurant openings. Given the leadership nature of the role, there is ample scope for advancement within the company's finance department and potential involvement in strategic initiatives.

Experience with ERP/system implementations or transformations is highly preferred for the Vice President of Accounting at Upward Projects. Familiarity with optimizing technology solutions within the accounting landscape is critical to ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance as the company grows.

When answering this question, focus on your deep understanding of GAAP principles and your experience applying them in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where you developed or revised policies or procedures that ensured compliance with GAAP, and how those actions positively impacted financial reporting.

Emphasize your philosophy of nurturing talent and fostering collaboration. Discuss the importance of setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and facilitating professional development opportunities. Sharing examples of how you've coached team members to achieve accountability is beneficial.

Provide a structured response that includes the context of the audit, your specific responsibilities during the process, and the strategies you implemented to overcome challenges. Highlighting teamwork, communication with external auditors, and the successful outcome reinforces your capability in managing audits.

Focus on your systematic approach, which might include regular reviews, reconciliation processes, and the use of technology to automate and improve accuracy. Discuss your commitment to continuous improvement and how you leverage team input to enhance the accuracy of financial data.

Talk about your specific experiences with ERP implementations, detailing your role, the challenges faced, and the strategies you employed to ensure successful integration. Mention any measurable successes, like cost savings or operational efficiencies achieved following the implementation.

Articulate how your values align with those of Upward Projects. Highlight your relevant experience, particularly in multi-unit environments and your history of driving results. Stress your commitment to creating positive experiences for both your team and the communities they serve.

Sharing a specific example is key here. Discuss how you identified the disparity, your approach to investigating its cause, and the corrective actions you took. This shows your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to maintain integrity in financial reporting.

Outline your techniques for prioritization, such as using project management tools or establishing clear workflows. Illustrate this with a real example of how your prioritization led to successful outcomes under tight deadlines, demonstrating your ability to thrive in a dynamic setting.

Emphasize how effective communication fosters collaboration and transparency. Discuss your approach to ensuring open lines of communication, facilitating discussions among team members, and how this practice has led to improved efficiency and team morale in previous roles.

Value the importance of integrity and strategic vision, but elaborate on how these qualities manifest in your leadership style. Discuss how being approachable, maintaining clear communication, and nurturing trust within your team can greatly enhance operational performance.