Manager of Accounting Operations

Location: Alpharetta, GA (HQ); EST or CDT time zone (required)

The Company:

Merit is a fast growing, pioneering financial services firm that invests heavily in the growth and development of team members. Merit seeks to establish, educate, and help individuals reach their financial goals as they transition into and experience retirement. With an unswerving commitment to excellence and reliability, Merit provides objective financial advice and believes in establishing long-lasting relationships. By offering an array of services, clients can receive tailored solutions that promote growth and help them achieve financial goals.

Merit believes in addressing the retirement challenges in America by helping clients reach financial freedom and confidence to the working population and retirees alike. This focus on comprehensive financial wellness enables us to deliver the ultimate client experience.

Headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, with over 90 locations across the country, Merit balances tactical advice with innovative strategy. Our 470 hardworking employees are leaders rooted in humility and we are poised to grow. Merit is a multi-generational firm with a foundation built around servant leadership and total team leadership. We have been recognized as a “Best Places to Work” by InvestmentNews and have made the fastest growing companies list in both INC 5000 and Georgia’s Fastest 40. As we expand and work to bring our relationship-driven approach to the financial industry, we are looking for the right individuals to join our team.

Position Summary

• The Manager of Accounting Operations oversees the day-to-day execution of the Company's accounting operations, including general ledger accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, financial close, and related reporting activities, ensuring processes are performed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with U.S. GAAP and established Company policies under the direction and oversight of the Controller.
• This role partners across Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Tax, Technology, Human Resources, Operations, Compliance, and auditors to support close, reconciliations, internal controls, audits, system implementations, acquisitions, integrations, and process improvements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Accounting Operations and Financial Close Management

•  Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Oversee general ledger accounting, journal entry review and approval, account reconciliations, and close deliverables.
• Monitor close performance, identify opportunities for efficiency, and implement improvements to reduce cycle times.
• Collaborate with the Director of Technical Accounting to implement accounting policies and technical accounting guidance, ensuring the accurate and timely recording of transactions in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

2. Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll Accounting, and General Ledger Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and general ledger functions.
• Review accounting processes and reconciliations to ensure completeness, accuracy, and appropriate supporting documentation.
• Monitor key accounting metrics, outstanding items, aging reports, accruals, and balance sheet account activity.

3. Internal Controls, Compliance, and Audit Support

• Partner with the Director of Technical Accounting to support the Company's internal control framework, ensuring accounting operations are executed in accordance with established accounting procedures, policies, and key controls.
• Partner with the Director of Technical Accounting to support annual audits, regulatory examinations, and compliance initiatives.
• Support the Director of Technical Accounting in identifying control deficiencies, process gaps, and operational risks, and assist with the implementation and monitoring of remediation plans to strengthen the control environment and business processes.
• Ensure accounting records, reconciliations, and supporting schedules are maintained in accordance with Company policy and regulatory requirements.

4. Accounting Systems, Automation, and Process Improvement

• Lead accounting system enhancements, automation projects, and process improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Technology and business stakeholders to improve data quality, reporting capabilities, and operating efficiencies.
• Evaluate existing workflows to identify opportunities for scalability as the organization grows through acquisition and expansion.
• Support ERP administration, accounting system governance, and accounting-related technology projects.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate accounting staff.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability for accounting operations, close activities, controls, and reporting.
• Provide coaching, training, and professional development opportunities to accounting team members.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, operational excellence, and strong internal controls.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and month-end close processes.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement scalable operational solutions.
• Strong reconciliation, review, documentation, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills with the ability to work effectively across Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Operations, Technology, Corporate Development, Human Resources, and executive leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-growth, acquisition-oriented environment.

Performance Expectations

• Success in this role will be measured by the individual's ability to:
• Deliver accurate and timely financial close, reporting, reconciliation, and accounting operations activities.
• Maintain a strong control environment with high-quality supporting documentation and audit readiness.
• Develop and retain a high-performing accounting team capable of supporting Company growth.
• Drive automation, process improvements, and operational efficiencies that enhance scalability and reduce risk.

Salary + Benefits:

• Competitive, based on experience
• Medical Insurance
• Dental/Vision Insurance
• Life & Personal Accident Insurance 
• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA) or Dependent Care FSA
• 401(k) Plan with company matching
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays 

Best Places To Work for Financial Advisors 2018-2024: Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 – Recognized firms were required to be a registered investment advisor (RIA) that has been in business at least one year and having a minimum of 15 full-time/part-time employees. The assessment consisted of a questionnaire on benefits and policies completed by human resources staff along with an engagement & satisfaction survey completed by a minimum of 40% of staff. 50 firms were selected for this award from an undisclosed list of submissions. There was no charge to be included in this award listing.

Georgia Fast 40 2019 and 2022: The Georgia Fast 40 for 2019 and 2022 was awarded by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. To be eligible companies must be for profit and headquartered in Georgia and the most recent year-end revenues ranging from $15 million to $500 million and have three years of verifiable revenue and employment growth.

Inc 5000 2019, 2020 & 2021: The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index, which consists of more than 5000 companies, represents virtually all of the capitalization of the entire U.S. stock market

Compensation: Merit Financial Advisors offers competitive compensation based on experience, qualifications, location, and market data. Where required by applicable law, salary ranges will be provided during the hiring process.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field required; CPA required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience with strong U.S. GAAP knowledge required.
• 5+ years of accounting leadership experience managing accounting operations and financial close processes required.
• Experience overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, general ledger accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting required.
• Experience in wealth management, RIA, financial services, asset management, broker-dealer, or related industries preferred.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, and multi-entity accounting environments preferred.
• Experience with Sage Intacct and related financial systems preferred.