Accounting Manager

Accounting Manager, Upstream E&P – Downtown Houston

Are you a highly strategic and technically proficient Accounting Manager with a robust background in Upstream E&P? Our client, a dynamic and agile mid-sized independent oil and gas producer is expanding its corporate accounting functions in Downtown Houston. We are seeking a hands-on leader who not only possesses deep industry knowledge but also understands the rigorous demands of public company reporting, having gained valuable experience in a startup or smaller, growth-oriented organization. This is a pivotal role where you will not only lead a team of four accounting professionals but also serve as a key architect in refining our financial processes, ensuring compliance with SEC regulations, and strengthening our internal control framework. If you are passionate about fostering strong financial integrity, driving efficiency in a publicly scrutinized environment, and have a track record of building effective accounting operations from the ground up or scaling them, we invite you to join our forward-thinking team.

Requirements Your Leadership & Key Responsibilities: As our Accounting Manager, your critical contributions will encompass:

• Financial Reporting & SEC Compliance: Spearheading the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring all financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. This includes direct involvement in the preparation of schedules and disclosures required for SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K), including oil and gas specific disclosures (e.g., reserve accounting, PV-10).
• SOX Compliance & Internal Controls: Designing, documenting, implementing, and monitoring internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) to ensure Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. Proactively identifying control deficiencies and implementing remediation plans.
• Team Management & Mentorship: Directly supervising, mentoring, and developing a team of four accountants, fostering a culture of accuracy, efficiency, and continuous professional growth. Managing workload distribution and performance evaluations.
• Upstream E&P Accounting Expertise: Providing expert guidance and oversight on complex oil and gas specific accounting matters, including but not limited to: Revenue recognition for oil, gas, and NGL sales. Joint Interest Billing (JIB) and Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) compliance. Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization (DD&A) calculations. Asset Retirement Obligations (AROs). Successful Efforts / Full Cost accounting methodologies (as applicable). Hedge accounting and commodity derivatives.
• General Ledger & Reconciliation Integrity: Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger, overseeing all balance sheet reconciliations, and investigating variances.
• Audit Management & External Relations: Acting as a primary liaison for external auditors, coordinating audit requests, providing necessary documentation, and addressing audit inquiries to ensure a smooth and timely completion of audits.
• Process Improvement & System Enhancement: Championing initiatives to optimize accounting processes, automate manual tasks, and enhance the utilization of our financial ERP system to drive greater efficiency and data reliability.
• Technical Accounting Research: Conducting thorough research on complex accounting issues, particularly those unique to the oil and gas industry and public company reporting, and documenting conclusions.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborating extensively with Operations, Land, Engineering, Investor Relations, and Legal departments to ensure alignment and accurate financial reflection of business activities.

Benefits What We're Seeking: The ideal candidate will bring the following qualifications:

• Experience: A minimum of 4+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity. Required experience within the Upstream Exploration & Production (E&P) sector of a public oil and gas company.
• Public Company Acumen: Demonstrated understanding and practical experience with SEC reporting requirements (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K) and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance is paramount.
• Organizational Background: Proven experience working effectively within a startup or smaller, fast-growing organization where initiative and hands-on contributions were essential.
• Education & Certification: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance is required. CPA certification is strongly preferred.
• Technical Accounting: Deep knowledge of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), with specific expertise in complex oil and gas accounting standards.
• System Proficiency: Strong command of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems common in the oil and gas industry (e.g., Enertia, Quorum, Bolo, WolfePak, SAP, Oracle).
• Leadership & Communication: Exceptional leadership qualities with the ability to motivate and develop a team. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, comfortable interacting with all levels of the organization and external parties.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Highly analytical, detail-oriented, with superior problem-solving capabilities and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Software Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for complex analysis and modeling.

Compensation & Work Environment: We offer a highly competitive compensation package and a collaborative work environment:

• Annual Salary: A base salary ranging from $120,000 – $135,000 per year, with the final offer dependent on your experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.
• Performance Bonus: Eligibility for a compelling annual performance bonus, tied to both individual achievements and overall company success metrics.
• Work Setting: This is a full-time, 5-days-a-week, in-office position located in our Downtown Houston headquarters, fostering a truly integrated and dynamic team culture essential for a public company environment.

Important Note for Applicants: Local Candidates Only: We are seeking candidates who currently reside in the greater Houston metropolitan area. This role is not eligible for relocation assistance or visa sponsorship.