Senior Accounting Manager | US Accounting, Close & AI Automation 64248551231

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Role: Senior Accounting Manager | US Accounting, Close & AI Automation
Priority Location: South Africa, Latin America, or the Philippines
Working Hours: 9AM - 5PM (Mon - Fri) US ET
Salary Range: $2,800 - $4,000 USD per month (The final offer is at the client’s discretion and depends on the candidate’s interview result, skills, and experience.)
Type of Contract: Independent Contractor
Type of Job: Remote

About the Opportunity
The company is looking for a strong accounting professional to join the team as an Assistant Controller. This is a hands-on role focused on maintaining a strong monthly close process, supporting audits, improving accounting procedures, and managing the broader accounting workload.

The Assistant Controller will work closely with the existing accounting team and oversee the work of a Staff Accountant responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, bookkeeping, and other day-to-day accounting activities.

The ideal candidate has excellent accounting fundamentals, strong attention to detail, and experience working with a U.S.-based company. You should be comfortable owning the close process, responding to audit requests, identifying issues in existing processes, and implementing improvements based on audit findings or changing business needs.

This role is also a strong fit for someone who is highly comfortable with technology and interested in using AI and automation to improve accounting workflows. Strong Excel skills and practical experience using tools such as Claude to automate or streamline recurring work are highly valued.

What You Will Do

Accounting & Controllership

• Own and manage the monthly close process, ensuring financials are accurate and completed on time.
• Review account reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and other close-related activities.
• Review financial information for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Maintain strong accounting controls and ensure accounting procedures are followed consistently.
• Review the work of the Staff Accountant across accounts payable, accounts receivable, bookkeeping, and other recurring accounting responsibilities.
• Provide guidance and oversight to the Staff Accountant and help prioritize their workload.
• Identify accounting discrepancies, investigate issues, and determine appropriate solutions.
• Support general accounting activities as needed, including reconciliations, journal entries, and general ledger maintenance.
• Help ensure the company's accounting records are accurate and up to date.
• Work primarily in accounting systems and Excel, while adapting quickly to new tools and platforms.

Audit Support & Process Improvement

• Support internal and external audit requests and provide accurate information and documentation on a timely basis.
• Coordinate responses to audit questions and follow up on outstanding requests.
• Identify weaknesses, inefficiencies, or gaps in existing accounting procedures.
• Implement changes to accounting processes and procedures based on audit findings and recommendations.
• Help strengthen internal controls and improve the consistency of accounting processes.
• Document and maintain accounting procedures as processes evolve.
• Look for opportunities to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and make recurring accounting processes more efficient.

Reporting & Analysis

• Support the preparation of recurring financial and management reports.
• Prepare and maintain reporting schedules and supporting analysis.
• Investigate variances and unusual changes in financial results.
• Help ensure reporting is accurate, timely, and useful for management.
• Build and maintain Excel-based reporting and analysis.
• Support ad hoc financial reporting and analysis as requested.
• Develop a strong understanding of the company's financial performance and key accounting drivers.

AI, Automation & Technology

• Use AI and automation tools to improve accounting workflows and reduce repetitive manual work.
• Leverage Claude and other AI tools to automate recurring tasks, improve processes, and assist with analysis.
• Build or improve Excel-based workflows, reporting tools, and templates.
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes through technology.
• Learn and adapt quickly to new accounting, reporting, and productivity tools.
• Bring a practical, problem-solving mindset to using technology within the accounting function.

Team Oversight & Collaboration

• Oversee the day-to-day workload of the Staff Accountant.
• Review work for accuracy and completeness while providing guidance when needed.
• Help prioritize accounting tasks around close, reporting, audits, and other deadlines.
• Serve as a senior accounting resource for questions and issues.
• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and external partners when necessary.
• Take ownership of deadlines and follow through without requiring constant supervision.
• Work collaboratively with leadership to improve the overall accounting function.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant accounting or finance experience .
• Strong accounting fundamentals and a thorough understanding of financial statements.
• Hands-on experience owning or supporting a monthly close process.
• Experience supporting internal or external audits.
• Experience implementing accounting process or procedure improvements.
• Strong Excel skills , including the ability to build and maintain financial models, reports, and workflows .
• Experience working for or supporting a U.S.-based company .
• Experience reviewing or overseeing the work of junior accounting staff.
• Strong understanding of general ledger accounting, reconciliations, journal entries, AP, AR, and bookkeeping.
• Experience with financial reporting and variance analysis .
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Comfortable identifying problems, investigating discrepancies, and finding solutions independently.
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong technology aptitude and willingness to learn new systems quickly.
• Practical experience using AI tools , particularly Claude , to automate or improve accounting workflows is strongly preferred.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on role and willing to do the work rather than simply oversee it.
• Able to work independently while communicating proactively with the broader team.
• CPA, CA, ACCA , or equivalent professional accounting qualification is preferred.
• Experience in a U.S. accounting environment is strongly preferred.