Senior Accounting Manager at RAPIDFORT

<h1>Senior Accounting Manager (Individual Contributor)</h1> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Location: San Francisco Bay Area<strong> (1 Day on site in Sunnyvale)</strong></p> <p><strong>Department:</strong> Finance<br><strong>Reports To:</strong> VP of Finance</p> <h2>Position Overview</h2> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <h2>Key Responsibilities</h2> <h3>Accounting Close &amp; Financial Reporting</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Lead and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and US GAAP-compliant financial reporting.</p> </li> <li> <p>Own the end-to-end close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules.</p> </li> <li> <p>Oversee balance sheet account reconciliations and ensure timely resolution of variances and reconciling items.</p> </li> <li> <p>Identify, investigate, and resolve accounting issues while implementing sustainable corrective actions.</p> </li> <li> <p>Maintain high standards of financial accuracy, completeness, and compliance.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Technical Accounting &amp; Compliance</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Apply strong knowledge of US GAAP to accounting transactions and financial reporting requirements.</p> </li> <li> <p>Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and best practices.</p> </li> <li> <p>Design, strengthen, and continuously improve internal controls to support a scalable control environment.</p> </li> <li> <p>Support SOX compliance initiatives, including control documentation, testing, remediation, and audit readiness.</p> </li> <li> <p>Ensure compliance with regulatory, audit, and corporate governance requirements.&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Audit Management</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Serve as a primary contact for external auditors.</p> </li> <li> <p>Lead audit preparation, coordination, and execution for quarterly and annual audits.</p> </li> <li> <p>Coordinate audit requests, support documentation, and issue resolution.</p> </li> <li> <p>Partner with auditors and internal stakeholders to ensure efficient audit completion.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Fixed Assets &amp; Operational Accounting</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Own fixed asset accounting, including capitalization, depreciation, sub-ledger maintenance, and physical asset verification processes.</p> </li> <li> <p>Ensure proper accounting treatment and reporting for operational accounting activities.</p> </li> <li> <p>Monitor accounting processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Process Improvement &amp; Automation</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and scale accounting processes.</p> </li> <li> <p>Lead process transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce close timelines, and enhance reporting quality.</p> </li> <li> <p>Partner with Finance Systems and IT teams on ERP enhancements, integrations, and system implementations.</p> </li> <li> <p>Leverage technology to eliminate manual processes and strengthen reporting capabilities.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Cross-Functional Partnership</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Partner closely with FP&amp;A, Operations, Sales, HR, Legal, and executive leadership teams.</p> </li> <li> <p>Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning activities.</p> </li> <li> <p>Provide accounting guidance and financial insights to business stakeholders.</p> </li> <li> <p>Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment between accounting, operational, and business objectives.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Leadership &amp; Ownership</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Demonstrate leadership through accountability, initiative, and process ownership.</p> </li> <li> <p>Mentor and support junior accounting team members when appropriate.</p> </li> <li> <p>Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.</p> </li> <li> <p>Proactively identify risks, control gaps, and process weaknesses.</p> </li> <li> <p>Perform root-cause analysis when issues arise and implement long-term solutions.</p> </li> <li> <p>Operate effectively in situations where processes are evolving or not fully established.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Communication &amp; Stakeholder Management</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Communicate complex accounting concepts effectively to both finance and non-finance audiences.</p> </li> <li> <p>Present financial information and recommendations to management.</p> </li> <li> <p>Influence decisions through strong business partnership, analytical thinking, and effective communication.</p> </li> <li> <p>Demonstrate the confidence to challenge assumptions and advocate for accounting integrity when necessary.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>Required Qualifications</h2> <ul> <li> <p>Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.</p> </li> <li> <p>6–10+ years of progressive accounting experience with increasing levels of responsibility.</p> </li> <li> <p>Strong knowledge of US GAAP, financial reporting, and month-end close processes.</p> </li> <li> <p>Demonstrated experience owning full-cycle close and financial statement preparation.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience with account reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and audit support.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience designing and improving accounting processes, internal controls, and operational workflows.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience supporting external audits and working within SOX or SOX-like control environments.</p> </li> <li> <p>Advanced proficiency with Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and financial analysis.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite or similar accounting platforms.</p> </li> <li> <p>Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.</p> </li> <li> <p>Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>Preferred Qualifications</h2> <ul> <li> <p>CPA (active or inactive) strongly preferred.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience in SaaS, software, cybersecurity, or other high-growth technology companies.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience with ERP implementations, system integrations, and finance transformation projects.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience building scalable accounting processes and control environments.</p> </li> <li> <p>Prior leadership experience through project ownership, mentoring, or cross-functional initiatives.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience preparing organizations for growth, audit readiness, and enhanced financial controls.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>Critical Success Factors</h2> <p>The successful candidate will demonstrate:</p> <ul> <li> <p>End-to-end ownership of the accounting close process.</p> </li> <li> <p>Strong technical accounting and financial reporting expertise.</p> </li> <li> <p>Ability to design and maintain scalable internal controls.</p> </li> <li> <p>Proven process improvement and automation capabilities.</p> </li> <li> <p>Audit readiness and external auditor coordination experience.</p> </li> <li> <p>Strong accountability and problem-solving skills.</p> </li> <li> <p>Effective partnership with FP&amp;A and business stakeholders.</p> </li> <li> <p>Ability to operate independently in a high-growth environment.</p> </li> <li> <p>Excellent communication with both finance and non-finance audiences.</p> </li> <li> <p>A leadership mindset with the potential to grow into future people management responsibilities.</p> </li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="1cine4w" data-start="65" data-end="92">Compensation &amp; Benefits</h3> <ul data-start="94" data-end="458"> <li data-section-id="1cxupgg" data-start="94" data-end="141"><strong data-start="96" data-end="112">Base Salary:</strong> $140,000 – $190,000 annually</li> <li data-section-id="eoud3m" data-start="142" data-end="222"><strong data-start="144" data-end="154">Bonus:</strong> Eligible for discretionary annual performance bonus (if applicable)</li> <li data-section-id="386t4g" data-start="223" data-end="320"><strong data-start="225" data-end="236">Equity:</strong> Equity participation may be available based on level and experience (if applicable)</li> <li data-section-id="vw6aa" data-start="321" data-end="458"><strong data-start="323" data-end="336">Benefits:</strong> Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k); paid time off; company holidays; and other employee benefits.</li> </ul>