What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounting Manager position at Hawke Media?
Hawke Media is a leading full-service digital marketing agency headquartered in Santa Monica. We have partnered with thousands of brands across ecommerce, retail, and DTC to drive measurable growth — and our accounting team is central to keeping that engine running.
We are looking for an Accounting Manager to take ownership of core accounts receivable, billing, and month-end close functions. This is a hands-on, high-accountability role that works closely with senior finance leadership and cross-functional teams. The right candidate is detail-oriented, operationally sharp, and comfortable working across multiple billing systems in a fast-paced environment.
This role is based in the Santa Monica office, as documented in the position requirements, and requires regular on-site presence to support cross-functional collaboration and operational continuity.
We move fast, and we play offense. Finance here is not a back-office function — it's a thought partner to the business. The people who thrive are the ones who spot a problem before it becomes one, take ownership end-to-end, and show up with answers, not just questions. If you want to be part of a team that's here to win, not just stay compliant, this role is for you.
Qualifications:
Lead and oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including AR, billing, cash application, and support month-end close activities.
Accounts Receivable & Collections
- Manage end-to-end AR workflows, including customer ledger review, outstanding balance tracking, and reporting cadence
- Execute collections processes: send reminders, manage escalation paths, and maintain documentation standards
- Serve as primary liaison with our external collections partners — coordinate on escalated accounts, align on strategy, and ensure resolution
- Partner with internal Sales and Client Services teams to resolve billing disputes, communicate account status, and maintain strong client relationships
- Handle chargeback identification, logging, dispute support, and evidence gathering
Billing & Invoicing
- Prepare and review monthly invoices; identify and resolve discrepancies proactively
- Execute approved billing adjustments with proper documentation and approval history
- Manage and process disengagement and billing adjustments requests
- Act as a cross-functional point of contact for billing inquiries across Sales, Client Services, and internal Operations teams
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure billing accuracy reflects service delivery and contractual terms
Banking & Cash Application
- Reconcile and clear all incoming ACH, wire, and check transactions daily
- Ensure accurate payment application and resolve discrepancies
- Maintain precise daily cash application records
Month-End Close & Reporting
- Conduct productivity audits to identify billing risks and missed revenue
- Own month-end close deliverables: AR aging reconciliation, billing logs, revenue data checks, and reporting
- Collaborate with finance leadership and accounting partners to continuously improve close accuracy, speed, and efficiency
- Surface insights and flag risks proactively — don't wait to be asked
Systems, Process & External Partners
- Work within our billing/subscription platform and support ongoing system improvements
- Partner with our outsourced accounting firm to ensure clean processes, clear documentation, and a structured handoff to internal operations
- Serve as an internal point of coordination between finance, ops, and external accounting partners to ensure nothing falls through the cracks
- Identify and drive opportunities for process improvement across accounting and finance operations
- Build and maintain SOPs for key accounting workflows to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge
Qualifications
- 4-6 years of accounting experience, with meaningful time in AR, billing, revenue operations, and cross-functional finance processes
- Prior team leadership, mentorship, or people management experience strongly preferred
- Strong understanding of cash application, billing adjustments, and month-end close processes
- Experience with billing platforms (Chargebee or similar subscription/billing tools a plus)
- High attention to detail and strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities without dropping balls
- Clear, professional communicator — comfortable fielding inquiries across teams and with clients
- Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets; experience with ERP or accounting software
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred
- Self-starter with a strong sense of urgency — you take ownership, follow through without being chased, and hold yourself accountable to deadlines and quality
- Proven ability to identify operational risks, improve processes proactively, and drive scalable solutions across accounting workflows
- Ability to analyze financial and operational data, surface actionable insights, and partner with leadership to support business decision-making
- AI-native or AI-curious: comfortable using AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) to work faster and smarter, whether automating repetitive tasks, drafting communications, or analyzing data
- Experience supporting audits, compliance initiatives, or external accounting partnerships preferred
What Success Looks Like
At 90 days, you are:
- Independently managing core AR, billing, and banking responsibilities with minimal oversight
- A trusted resource for cross-team communication and operational questions
- Contributing to a timely, accurate month-end close cycle
- Identifying process gaps and surfacing improvements proactively
- Partner with Finance leadership to analyze revenue trends, operational KPIs, and process efficiencies to support strategic decision-making.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Financial Benefits
- Competitive Base Salary
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Life and Disability Insurance
Time Off
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Paternal/Maternal Leave
Growth and Development
- Ongoing Training and Learning Opportunities
- Career Path Progression
Work Environment
This is a full-time, in-office position based at Hawke Media's Santa Monica headquarters. Regular on-site presence is a documented requirement of the role and is essential to the collaborative, fast-moving nature of our accounting operations.
Salary : $95,000 - $120,000