Accounting Manager

Hawke Media is a leading full-service digital marketing agency headquartered in Santa Monica. We have partnered with thousands of brands across ecommerce, retail, and DTC to drive measurable growth - and our accounting team is central to keeping that engine running.

We are looking for an Accounting Manager to take ownership of core accounts receivable, billing, and month-end close functions. This is a hands-on, high-accountability role that works closely with senior finance leadership and cross-functional teams. The right candidate is detail-oriented, operationally sharp, and comfortable working across multiple billing systems in a fast-paced environment.

This role is based in the Santa Monica office, as documented in the position requirements, and requires regular on-site presence to support cross-functional collaboration and operational continuity.

We move fast, and we play offense. Finance here is not a back-office function - it's a thought partner to the business. The people who thrive are the ones who spot a problem before it becomes one, take ownership end-to-end, and show up with answers, not just questions. If you want to be part of a team that's here to win, not just stay compliant, this role is for you.

Lead and oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including AR, billing, cash application, and support month-end close activities.

Accounts Receivable & Collections

• Manage end-to-end AR workflows, including customer ledger review, outstanding balance tracking, and reporting cadence
• Execute collections processes: send reminders, manage escalation paths, and maintain documentation standards
• Serve as primary liaison with our external collections partners - coordinate on escalated accounts, align on strategy, and ensure resolution
• Partner with internal Sales and Client Services teams to resolve billing disputes, communicate account status, and maintain strong client relationships
• Handle chargeback identification, logging, dispute support, and evidence gathering

Billing & Invoicing

• Prepare and review monthly invoices; identify and resolve discrepancies proactively
• Execute approved billing adjustments with proper documentation and approval history
• Manage and process disengagement and billing adjustments requests
• Act as a cross-functional point of contact for billing inquiries across Sales, Client Services, and internal Operations teams
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure billing accuracy reflects service delivery and contractual terms

Banking & Cash Application

• Reconcile and clear all incoming ACH, wire, and check transactions daily
• Ensure accurate payment application and resolve discrepancies
• Maintain precise daily cash application records

Month-End Close & Reporting

• Conduct productivity audits to identify billing risks and missed revenue
• Own month-end close deliverables: AR aging reconciliation, billing logs, revenue data checks, and reporting
• Collaborate with finance leadership and accounting partners to continuously improve close accuracy, speed, and efficiency
• Surface insights and flag risks proactively - don't wait to be asked

Systems, Process & External Partners

• Work within our billing/subscription platform and support ongoing system improvements
• Partner with our outsourced accounting firm to ensure clean processes, clear documentation, and a structured handoff to internal operations
• Serve as an internal point of coordination between finance, ops, and external accounting partners to ensure nothing falls through the cracks
• Identify and drive opportunities for process improvement across accounting and finance operations
• Build and maintain SOPs for key accounting workflows to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge

Qualifications

• 4-6+ years of accounting experience, with meaningful time in AR, billing, revenue operations, and cross-functional finance processes
• Prior team leadership, mentorship, or people management experience strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of cash application, billing adjustments, and month-end close processes
• Experience with billing platforms (Chargebee or similar subscription/billing tools a plus)
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities without dropping balls
• Clear, professional communicator - comfortable fielding inquiries across teams and with clients
• Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets; experience with ERP or accounting software
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred
• Self-starter with a strong sense of urgency - you take ownership, follow through without being chased, and hold yourself accountable to deadlines and quality
• Proven ability to identify operational risks, improve processes proactively, and drive scalable solutions across accounting workflows
• Ability to analyze financial and operational data, surface actionable insights, and partner with leadership to support business decision-making
• AI-native or AI-curious: comfortable using AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) to work faster and smarter, whether automating repetitive tasks, drafting communications, or analyzing data
• Experience supporting audits, compliance initiatives, or external accounting partnerships preferred

What Success Looks Like

At 90 days, you are:

• Independently managing core AR, billing, and banking responsibilities with minimal oversight
• A trusted resource for cross-team communication and operational questions
• Contributing to a timely, accurate month-end close cycle
• Identifying process gaps and surfacing improvements proactively
• Partner with Finance leadership to analyze revenue trends, operational KPIs, and process efficiencies to support strategic decision-making.

Perks and Benefits

Health and Wellness

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Financial Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Life and Disability Insurance

Time Off

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Paternal/Maternal Leave

Growth and Development

• Ongoing Training and Learning Opportunities
• Career Path Progression

Work Environment

This is a full-time, in-office position based at Hawke Media's Santa Monica headquarters. Regular on-site presence is a documented requirement of the role and is essential to the collaborative, fast-moving nature of our accounting operations.