The accounting industry is evolving not just in terms of digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Several other factors have been playing a key role in terms of how we perceive the industry today. The change in the workforce, their evolving needs, a higher focus on sustainable business, and the need to steer away from traditional transactional processes.
“We must take a more structured approach for our own developmental needs. We need to be able to set goals for what we want to do and what we want to learn. We need to be able to conduct deliberate practice and reflect and evaluate our progress,” says Themin Suwardy FCPA, Associate Provost for Postgraduate Professional Education at Singapore University. In this video, he talks about several evolving aspects in the world of Accounting, with a key focus on intentional learning.
As the roles continue to evolve in the accounting profession, one of the profiles that has been garnering a lot of attention is that of an Accounting Manager. This role is incredibly important because they are not just another set of accountants; they sit at the intersection of financial accuracy, team oversight, and strategic operations. The Accounting Managers don’t just hide behind the tools and files and work from the backend. They are leaders, collaborators, and quality controllers.
Why is the role of an Accounting Manager so critical for businesses today?
Accounting operations today have become more complex. Some of the reasons include remote teams, new compliance rules, automation tools, and tighter timelines. Senior Accountants with traditional skills are not enough anymore. Businesses need someone who can work both as a team member and in the capacity of an individual contributor. They need someone who can lead and hold teams accountable. Their roles include:
- Ensuring the accuracy of financial reporting and the month-end close
- Managing and mentoring accountants and bookkeepers
- Implementing internal controls and best practices
- Coordinating with external auditors and tax consultants
- Driving process improvements and automation adoption
Given the critical nature of the role and their importance in accounting firms, it is important for leaders and owners to consider offshore accounting managers in case they don’t have the resources or finances to hire a full-time teammate.
In case you decide to hire a full-time accounting manager, keep reading.
Skills and qualifications that you should look for in the right candidate
Hiring the right resource is not just about the technical skills. They also need to be spot on with other skills such as communication, time management, leadership, and so much more. The key skills you should be looking for include:
Hard Skills:
- Strong command of GAAP, IFRS or other relevant global standards
- Experience with ERP/accounting systems, such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero
- Financial statement preparation and consolidation
- Knowledge of internal audit and compliance processes
Soft Skills:
- Strong communication and delegation
- Ability to manage and mentor a team
- Problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Adaptability to business tools and processes
Typical Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (CPA/MBA preferred)
- 5+ years in accounting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role
- Experience in multi-entity or multi-state environments is a plus
KPIs to consider when hiring an Accounting Manager
For a key role like that of an Accounting Manager, it is important to set KPIs that are not vague and can be used to analyze performance and make changes in the roles or deliverables. Some of the top KPIs that you can include in the job description are:
| KPI | Purpose |
| Month-end close was completed within 5 working days | Ensures timely reporting |
| 100% compliance with audit schedules | Tracks efficiency and preparedness |
| Reduction in manual accounting errors | Measures process effectiveness |
| Team satisfaction and development metrics | Tracks leadership impact |
| Successful implementation of new systems/processes | Highlights adaptability and innovation |
What to include in an appealing Job Description?
It is important to remember that your job description is the window to look at what your firm represents and what it has to offer to the candidates. It is important to curate the job description based on the profile, seniority, and many other factors. The key components include:
- Job Title: Instead of using vague titles (ones that are used only within your organization), use industry-wide accepted titles.
- Position Overview: A short overview that summarizes the role and key focus areas of the candidate is what should be a part of the position overview. The candidate, when looking at the JD, should get an understanding of what they are expected to do.
- Key Responsibilities: This section not only aligns the candidates in terms of what they are expected to do, but also helps assess the candidate’s performance throughout the year. Whether it is a performance review or appraisal, or simple appreciation, this helps. This also helps in avoiding overlapping of duties between multiple roles.
- Qualifications and Skills: Whether it is technical, non-technical, or soft skills, this section helps filter out the non-relevant candidates from the good ones. This saves the candidates’ time from applying for a role they don’t qualify for, and the hiring teams who may lose time sifting through the list.
- Compensation & Benefits: Be as transparent as possible when it comes to compensation and benefits. Even if you cannot mention the exact compensation amount, it might be wise to include a bracket as per the industry standards, along with the benefits that you can add.
Want to get started with hiring the right accounting manager? Use our customizable Accounting Manager Job Description template and find the right candidate today!
How to find the right candidate with Finsmart Accounting?
Hiring the right candidate can be challenging. With the ongoing talent shortage in the US and the hiring and retention struggles, offshoring continues to emerge as a viable solution. With pre-qualified, pre-vetted, English-speaking resources, our team sets seamless onboarding with your systems and workflows. Get hires that fit your every need – a Team leader and an Account Manager – to help you stay on track. With the 14-step onboarding process, tech, and workflows, we ensure that you we are on track and you are ready to scale from day 1.
Whether you are building your in-house team or looking to scale faster with an offshore leader, we are here to help.
Book a free consultation today: https://old.finsmartaccounting.com/usa/free-consultation/
Maanoj is Co-founder & Director of Growth Strategy & Alliance at Finsmart Accounting. He is an Outsourcing Expert, a People Champion, and a Dynamic Leader with strong Business Strategy and Scaling-up experience. He has incubated businesses, sold & exited ventures; helped build strong enterprises in very diversified verticals like Fintech, HR & Consulting spaces in various CXO capacities over the last 20 years.
