Accounting Manager — Advisory Consultant

Title	Accounting Manager Advisory Consultant
Location	Columbus Metropolitan Area
Reports To	Managing Director Practice Leader
Type	Full-time
Experience	24 years public accounting 24 years corporate accounting

About NOW CFO

NOW CFO is a leading provider of outsourced CFO Controller and accounting services delivering experienced financial professionals to businesses on a fractional interim or project basis. We partner with companies across industries from growing startups to established middle-market businesses placing the right accounting and finance talent inside organizations at exactly the moment they need it.

Our consultants are embedded directly inside client organizations working as a trusted extension of the clients team. They bring structure consistency and expertise to finance and accounting functions that need support and they do it in a way that is practical hands-on and immediately impactful.

Role Overview

The Accounting Manager Advisory Consultant is a client-facing hands-on role focused on helping clients strengthen stabilize and improve their accounting operations. Working alongside engagement leadership and other team members you will step into dynamic client environments on a fractional interim or project basis to provide both day-to-day accounting leadership and meaningful operational improvements.
In this role you will assess existing accounting processes identify gaps and inefficiencies and implement practical solutions that improve accuracy consistency controls and overall effectiveness. Depending on the engagement this may include cleaning up accounting records strengthening month-end close processes improving reconciliations and reporting documenting procedures enhancing internal controls or helping establish scalable accounting processes. The goal is not simply to maintain the accounting function but to leave it stronger than you found it.

This role is ideal for someone who has built a strong accounting foundation in public accounting and has experience managing or supporting accounting operations within a company. You are comfortable entering new and sometimes ambiguous environments quickly understanding what is and isnt working and taking ownership of both immediate accounting needs and longer-term process improvements. You are detail-oriented organized solutions-focused and able to bring structure and stability to evolving situations while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End & Year-End Close

• Own and manage the full month-end close process for client organizations ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Prepare and post journal entries including accruals prepaid expenses depreciation and reclassifications
• Perform and review account reconciliations across balance sheet accounts including cash AR AP fixed assets and accrued liabilities
• Prepare monthly financial statements including income statement balance sheet and cash flow statement
• Investigate and explain variances between actual results and prior periods or budget
• Support year-end close and coordinate with external auditors or tax preparers as needed

General Ledger & Accounting Operations

• Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts ensuring proper coding and classification of transactions
• Oversee and process accounts payable and accounts receivable functions including vendor payments invoicing and collections follow-up
• Perform bank and credit card reconciliations on a regular basis
• Manage fixed asset schedules and record depreciation in accordance with company policy
• Process payroll entries and reconcile payroll-related accounts in coordination with the clients payroll provider
• Maintain prepaid schedules deferred revenue schedules and other balance sheet support schedules

Reporting & Internal Controls

• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for client management teams on a weekly monthly and quarterly basis
• Identify and document internal control gaps and recommend practical improvements to accounting processes and procedures
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and accounting policy documentation for client organizations
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and client-specific accounting policies across all deliverables

Process & Technology Optimization

• Work proficiently within client ERP and accounting systems including NetSuite QuickBooks Sage Intacct Xero and others
• Assess accounting workflows identify gaps and inefficiencies and implement practical process improvements that strengthen accuracy internal controls and consistency
• Identify opportunities to improve system usage automate manual processes and streamline the accounting close
• Support accounting system clean-ups data migrations and onboarding of new clients onto appropriate platforms.

Client Relationship & Communication

• Serve as the primary day-to-day accounting contact for assigned client engagements
• Communicate clearly and professionally with client owners operations managers and other stakeholders on accounting matters
• Provide training and guidance to client administrative or bookkeeping staff as needed
• Flag issues risks or unusual items to the Managing Director proactively and with appropriate context

Qualifications

Required

• 2 to 4 years of experience in public accounting at a CPA or advisory firm (audit/assurance)
• 2 to 4 years of corporate accounting experience in an Accounting Manager Senior Accountant or similar role
• Solid working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial statement preparation
• Hands-on experience with the full month-end close cycle including journal entries reconciliations and financial reporting
• Proficiency in at least one major accounting system (QuickBooks NetSuite Sage Intacct or similar)
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple client engagements and deadlines simultaneously
• Clear and professional communication skills comfortable interacting directly with business owners and management teams
• Self-starter mentality with the ability to work independently in client environments with minimal oversight

Preferred

• CPA license or active CPA candidate
• Experience working across multiple industries or company sizes
• Exposure to accounting clean-up system migration or process improvement projects
• Experience working in a consulting outsourced or fractional accounting environment
• Familiarity with payroll processing platforms (Gusto ADP Paychex or similar)

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus tied to engagement quality and utilization
• Full benefits package including medical dental vision and 401(k)
• Exposure to a wide variety of industries company stages and accounting environments no two engagements are the same
• A defined growth path within the NOW CFO platform toward Senior Consultant Controller and Director levels
• Mentorship and support from experienced Managing Directors and senior consultants
• A collaborative entrepreneurial culture that rewards ownership initiative and results

#IND2
#LI-KH1