Accounting Manager

Summary

The Accounting Manager plays a key role in keeping Cinco’s business healthy, accurate, and positioned to grow. This person manages the day-to-day accounting and financial reporting functions of the studio, bringing clarity to complex information and helping leadership make confident, well-informed decisions.

This role supports the financial operations and effectiveness of the business across reporting, compliance, cash flow, contracts, banking, collections, and core financial systems. You are comfortable in the details, but you also understand how strong financial stewardship supports creative excellence, operational focus, and long-term business health.

You are organized, principled, precise, and practical. You bring strong accounting fundamentals, modern financial operations experience, and a clear interest in improving how information flows through the business. You communicate clearly, build trust quickly, and thrive in a lean, collaborative environment where your work has real and immediate impact.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, reporting, and cost control
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or equivalent professional experience
• Experience within a professional services organization such as a design, creative, brand/marketing, architecture, or consulting firm
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and federal, state, and local financial regulations
• Familiarity with automated financial and accounting reporting systems
• Preference for candidates with experience using Workamajig in finance, project accounting, or creative operations workflows
• Interest in using emerging AI, automation, and reporting tools to improve financial workflows, accuracy, and visibility
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite; power-user in Excel and Google Sheets

Skills & Requirements

• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare reports, statements, forecasts, and projections with rigor and clarity
• Working knowledge of short- and long-term budgeting, rolling forecasts, cash flow tracking, and professional services profitability analysis
• Strong financial thinker with technical accounting skills, sound judgment, and a sharp operational focus
• Highly organized and self-directed, with high ethical standards and a polished professional presence
• Systems-oriented and practical, with the ability to see both the details and the bigger business picture
• Strong understanding of professional services or creative studio economics, including rates, hours, realized revenue, utilization, and margin performance
• Excellent communicator: clear, composed, and credible whether presenting to leadership, coordinating with vendors, or working across internal teams
• Comfortable working in a lean, collaborative environment where accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement matter

Areas of Ownership

• Manage core accounting operations, including financial reporting, compliance support, cash flow tracking, banking coordination, collections, contracts administration, and related administrative processes
• Prepare, analyze, and present financial reports that support studio operations, project performance, client economics, profitability, and leadership decision-making
• Track and analyze budget-to-actual performance by project, program, client, team, and discipline in partnership with Operations and studio leadership
• Coordinate tax preparation, payroll-related reporting, and federal, state, and local compliance requirements in partnership with outside advisors and internal leadership
• Maintain accurate financial records, reporting standards, and business controls that support transparency, accountability, and sound decision-making
• Partner with the Principal, Managing Director, and Director of Operations on financial planning, forecasting, cash flow visibility, profitability analysis, and business performance reporting
• Support annual compensation, bonus, and employee review cycles by preparing accurate financial inputs, compensation data, and related reporting
• Evaluate and improve financial systems, tools, workflows, and reporting processes to increase accuracy, efficiency, and visibility across the business
• Lead practical process improvement initiatives in partnership with Operations and relevant team leads
• Support special projects as needed, including project cost accounting, utilization analysis, margin reporting, financial modeling, and market or compensation research

What we offer

• This is a full-time, exempt position with a base starting salary of
• $70,000 to $80,000 annually
• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits, along with 401k matching, and more
• Generous PTO package and paid holidays
• Opportunity to work in a studio that brings excellence to every engagement, with real influence on how the business runs, improves, and grows
• Cinco Design is a hybrid work environment, with preference for candidates in the Portland and San Diego metro areas

At Cinco, we create the ideas, platforms, products, and experiences that help progressive brands thrive. We work with some of the world’s leading technology, entertainment, lifestyle, and athletic brands. Our work is rooted in relevance, authenticity, and impact. This demands a crew of informed and talented individuals who come from all corners and have an edge that keeps us dynamic and fresh.