M & A Accounting Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Summary:

The M & A Accounting Manager is responsible for leading the accounting integration of newly acquired companies from closing through full transition into the company’s accounting systems and processes. This position learns and maintains the acquired company’s accounting systems and records, performs accounting activities on a manual or stand-alone basis during the transition period, and coordinates the conversion of accounting data, processes, controls, and reporting into the company’s existing systems. The role partners closely with Finance, Operations, IT, Payroll, AP/AR, external advisors, and acquired-company personnel to ensure accurate and timely financial information throughout each integration.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the accounting workstream for each acquisition from pre-close planning through closing, opening balance sheet audit, integration, and post-close transition, using an integration plan and transition checklist with milestones, owners, and deadlines.
• Learn and document the acquired company’s accounting systems, chart of accounts, processes, and reporting practices, and maintain its books and records on a manual or stand-alone basis until it is fully integrated.
• Perform or coordinate month-end close for acquired companies during the transition, including journal entries, accruals, prepaids, fixed assets, intercompany activity, and account reconciliations.
• Prepare the acquisition-date opening balance sheet and lead preparation of closing statements, including working capital, cash/debt, transaction expense, and other purchase-price adjustments.
• Calculate, track, and reconcile earnouts, deferred consideration, holdbacks, escrows, and other post-closing adjustments in accordance with the purchase agreement.
• Support purchase accounting, including purchase price allocation, goodwill, and intangible assets, working with valuation and tax advisors, legal counsel, sellers, and external auditors on schedules, documentation, and audit or due diligence requests.
• Map the acquired company’s chart of accounts and master data (customers, vendors, products/services, departments, locations) to the company’s structure, and lead conversion of historical and current data, including cleansing, testing, validation, and reconciliation.
• Partner with IT on system configuration, interfaces, data migration, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Transition accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, cash, banking, payroll-related accounting, fixed assets, and other processes into company standards, and resolve differences between acquired-company and company accounting policies.
• Establish and document accounting procedures, internal controls, and close processes for acquired companies, and identify opportunities to standardize processes and improve efficiency.
• Work with acquired-company employees and leadership to understand existing processes and transition responsibilities to the company’s accounting team.
• Prepare acquisition-related financial reporting, including trial balances, balance sheet reconciliations, P&L, and EBITDA reporting; reconcile acquired-company records to the general ledger and consolidated reporting, and research and resolve differences.
• Maintain acquisition and integration workpapers, including account mappings, opening balance sheet schedules, closing statement support, earnout calculations, and reconciliations.
• Monitor integration progress and communicate status, issues, and risks to Finance leadership, escalating matters that could affect financial reporting, compliance, or timelines.
• Assist with other accounting, acquisition, system implementation, and Finance projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including general ledger and month-end close responsibilities.
• Experience with acquisition accounting, M&A integration, system conversions, or multi-entity accounting preferred, including closing statements, purchase-price adjustments, earnouts, and deferred consideration.
• Experience working with external auditors on financial statements, opening balance sheets, or acquisition accounting audits preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, QuickBooks, or similar accounting platforms preferred.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of GAAP, month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting; understanding of acquisition accounting and purchase agreements preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Ability to quickly learn unfamiliar accounting systems and translate accounting requirements into system, process, and data-migration requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including identifying the source of discrepancies and developing practical solutions.
• High attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy and data integrity.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple integrations and competing deadlines in a changing environment.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively across Finance, IT, Operations, Payroll, legal, and external advisors.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with employees, management, acquired-company personnel, auditors, and advisors.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of company, financial, employee, customer, and acquisition-related information.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Incumbent is required to sit for extended periods; stand and walk within an office environment; use hands to handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; bend and stoop; and talk and hear.
• Employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Requires the ability to perform work involving a computer, including reading screens and documents, and maintaining visual attention to detail.
• Operate standard office equipment, including computer, printer, copier, and telephone.
• Requires the ability to read, write, and understand English.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment.
• The noise level is generally low-moderate (office environment).

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to successfully pass a background check and drug screening.