Accounting Manager

Job Title : Accounting Manager
Location: Cleveland, OH - Remote
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Live Events / Audio-Visual Production
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Accounting Manager to take full ownership of the accounting function for a Cleveland-based live events and audio-visual production company.
This is a hands-on accounting leadership role for someone who combines strong US GAAP knowledge, accounting judgment, attention to detail, and operational independence. You will serve as the accounting authority for the business, ensuring our books are accurate, complete, timely, and ready for management decision-making at all times.
You will report directly to the Senior Director of Operations and work closely with our HR & Finance Coordinator, who handles day-to-day HR and basic bookkeeping responsibilities. While you will not directly manage the coordinator, you will establish accounting standards, provide guidance, review work, and ensure transactions are recorded consistently and correctly.
This role is ideal for an accounting professional who enjoys autonomy, takes ownership of problems, and can move comfortably between detailed accounting execution and higher-level financial analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting
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Own the company's day-to-day accounting function under US GAAP
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Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready financial records
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Manage the monthly close process and ensure financial statements are completed accurately and on schedule
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Prepare and review account reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, prepaid expenses, and other closing activities
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Review the general ledger for accuracy, completeness, and unusual activity
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Ensure accounting policies and procedures are consistently followed
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Provide management with clear financial information and explanations of significant variances

Revenue Recognition & Contract Accounting
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Apply appropriate US GAAP revenue recognition principles to production contracts and service engagements
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Analyze show settlements, production contracts, non-standard agreements, and other complex transactions
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Determine appropriate accounting treatment for unique or one-time transactions
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Document accounting judgments and ensure appropriate supporting documentation is maintained

Job Costing & Event Accounting
• Maintain accurate job costing across events, productions, and service engagements
• Reconcile project-level revenue and expenses
• Review show budgets, production costs, vendor invoices, settlements, and other project-related financial activity
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between operational activity and accounting records
• Partner with operations to ensure project financial information is accurate and complete
Internal Controls & Process Ownership
• Establish and maintain accounting standards, procedures, and controls
• Set clear expectations for how transactions should be recorded
• Review and guide the HR & Finance Coordinator on accounting-related activities
• Identify process gaps, accounting errors, discrepancies, and financial anomalies
• Investigate issues independently, determine root causes, implement corrections, and communicate resolutions to leadership
• Support continuous improvement of accounting processes and systemsIntercompany & Special Transactions
• Manage intercompany transactions and reconciliations
• Handle complex, unusual, and one-off accounting transactions
• Ensure transactions are properly supported, documented, recorded, and reconciled
• Maintain accurate balances across entities, where applicable

What Success Looks Like
• Financial records are accurate, complete, and trustworthy
• The monthly close is completed on time every month without senior-level intervention
• Leadership receives clear, decision-ready financial information
• Accounting discrepancies are identified, investigated, and resolved before they become management issues Job costs and project financials are accurately recorded and reconciled
• The HR & Finance Coordinator has clear accounting standards and knows how transactions should be recorded
• Accounting processes are documented and repeatable
• The accounting function can operate effectively without constant oversight or escalation

Required Qualifications
• 4+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Strong working knowledge of US GAAP
• Hands-on experience with monthly close, reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting
• Experience with QuickBooks Online; advanced proficiency preferred
• Experience with job costing in a project-based, production-based, construction, events, entertainment, or professional services environment
• Experience with revenue recognition for contracts, projects, or service-based businesses
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to independently research accounting issues and make sound accounting judgments
• Ability to identify discrepancies and resolve issues without extensive direction
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working independently in a lean, high-accountability environment
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Must be available during standard US business hours

Preferred Qualifications
• CPA or CPA candidate
• Experience in live events, audio-visual production, touring, entertainment, or related industries
• Experience with show settlements and production accounting
• Familiarity with event budgets, vendor settlements, production costs, and project-level financial reporting
• Experience supporting operations or executive leadership
• Experience with multi-entity and intercompany accounting
• Experience working in a fast-paced, project-driven environment