External Reporting & Technical Accounting Senior Manager

BrightCore specializes in Talent Solutions for CFO organizations with expertise in Consulting (Interim & Project) and Executive Search. We partner with finance leaders to assess needs and deliver highly skilled, proven consultants for interim positions and strategic projects. We provide individual technical expertise or a team of professionals to tackle a complex project. We are trusted advisors in providing Finance & Accounting talent solutions to complement existing core teams, lift the capabilities of CFO organizations, and drive financial results.

Our clients include Private Equity, Middle Market, and Fortune 500 Companies in a variety of industries.

Our consultants include CPAs and MBAs, typically with a Big 4 foundation, extensive hands-on and leadership roles in large global companies, subject matter experts, and 10 years of experience in Finance & Accounting and various project roles supporting CFO organizations.

BrightCore is seeking an External Reporting & Technical Accounting Senior Manager for an Atlanta client. This role will serve as a key member of the controllership organization and will be responsible for complex accounting areas, external financial reporting, technical accounting research, financial statement preparation, and enhancement of reporting processes and controls. The position will directly supervise one staff accountant and will have significant exposure to executive leadership, finance leadership, external auditors, valuation specialists, and private equity sponsors.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong technical accounting expertise, excellent financial statement drafting and writing skills, outstanding analytical capabilities, and a desire to help build a best-in-class reporting organization capable of operating as a public company.

This is a permanent position and a hybrid office required in Atlanta, GA.

This role will serve as a key member of the controllership organization and will be responsible for complex accounting areas, external financial reporting, technical accounting research, financial statement preparation, and enhancement of reporting processes and controls. The position will directly supervise one staff accountant and will have significant exposure to executive leadership, finance leadership, external auditors, valuation specialists, and private equity sponsors.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong technical accounting expertise, excellent financial statement drafting and writing skills, outstanding analytical capabilities, and a desire to help build a best-in-class reporting organization capable of operating as a public company.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual GAAP financial statements, including all required footnote disclosures.
• Draft and maintain Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) commentary and supporting analyses.
• Coordinate financial reporting deliverables with accounting, FP&A, treasury, tax, legal, and other cross-functional teams.
• Assist in developing and implementing public-company reporting processes and controls in preparation for an IPO.
• Support annual audits, interim reviews, and interactions with external auditors.

Technical Accounting

• Perform technical accounting research and prepare accounting memoranda supporting conclusions under U.S. GAAP.
• Monitor emerging accounting standards and assess potential impacts to the company.
• Lead preparation of accounting position papers and technical accounting documentation for complex transactions.
• Partner with business and finance leaders on accounting implications of strategic initiatives and transactions.

Debt, Treasury & Derivatives Accounting

• Oversee monthly accounting for debt instruments, deferred financing fees, original issue discounts, and related interest expense.
• Prepare and review effective interest calculations and related accounting entries.
• Oversee accounting for interest rate swap derivatives, including hedge accounting considerations and related disclosures.
• Maintain supporting schedules and analyses related to debt and treasury activities.

Equity & Other Complex Accounting Areas

• Prepare and maintain monthly equity rollforward schedules.
• Support accounting for stock-based compensation programs, including stock options and other equity awards.
• Maintain accounting for accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), including derivative and pension-related activity.
• Assist with defined benefit pension accounting and related disclosures as applicable.

Cash Flow Reporting

• Prepare and review monthly statement of cash flows.
• Develop and enhance cash flow reporting processes, controls, and supporting documentation.
• Partner with treasury and FP&A to improve accuracy and efficiency of cash flow reporting.

Goodwill & Impairment Analysis

• Coordinate annual goodwill impairment assessments.
• Support identification and evaluation of operating segments and reporting units.
• Prepare supporting analyses and documentation related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset testing.
• Coordinate with valuation specialists as necessary.

Process Improvement & IPO Readiness

• Assist in designing and implementing scalable reporting processes and internal controls.
• Support SEC reporting readiness initiatives, including drafting of future registration statement disclosures.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, automation, documentation, and reporting quality.
• Contribute to finance transformation initiatives and adoption of best practices consistent with public-company expectations.

Leadership

• Directly supervise and develop one staff accountant.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and technical guidance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
• CPA certification.
• 8 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting.
• Experience preparing and drafting complete financial statements and footnote disclosures.
• Experience preparing accounting research memoranda and technical accounting position papers.
• Strong understanding of debt accounting, derivatives, stock compensation, equity accounting, and cash flow reporting.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Preferred

• Combination of Big Four public accounting and industry experience.
• Experience supporting SEC reporting or public-company financial reporting.
• Experience supporting IPO readiness initiatives or participation in an IPO process.
• Experience with goodwill impairment testing and segment reporting assessments.
• Experience with stock compensation accounting under ASC 718.
• Experience with hedge accounting and derivative instruments.
• Experience with Oracle ERP systems.
• Experience with OneStream.
• Experience with DFIN ActiveDisclosure or similar SEC reporting software.