Senior Accounting Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

Winston Water Cooler is seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented Senior Accounting Manager to lead the accounting and financial reporting functions of our Shared Service Center.

This role is responsible for ensuring the financial integrity of a complex, multi-entity structure supporting 70 branch locations. The Comptroller will serve as the primary owner of accounting accuracy, internal controls, and cash management, with a strong emphasis on operational accounting, ERP-level visibility, and disciplined financial processes.

This is not a passive reporting role. The ideal candidate is a proactive operator who can dive into transactional detail, strengthen controls, and support the company’s continued growth and banking strategy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Reporting & Close

• Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process for 70 branch locations, ensuring timely and accurate financial statements.
• Prepare consolidated financial reporting packages, including variance analysis and executive-level insights
• Maintain and enforce accounting policies in accordance with GAAP
• Ensure financial data reflects operational reality across all branches and entities

Financial Controls & Risk Management

• Design, implement, and enforce a robust internal control environment across all accounting functions
• Establish and maintain segregation of duties, dual-approval workflows, and authority thresholds
• Oversee high-risk areas including:
• Vendor setup and maintenance
• Payment approvals (ACH, wires, checks)
• Intercompany transactions and allocations
• Proactively identify and mitigate financial, operational, and fraud-related risks

Accounts Payable & Receivable Oversight (Controls & Governance)

• Establish and enforce financial controls, policies, and procedures governing A/P and A/R activities across the Shared Service Center
• Provide oversight of payment integrity, including review and approval of exception-based or high-dollar disbursements
• Ensure proper segregation of duties, dual-approval workflows, and compliance with established authority thresholds
• Monitor execution quality, aging, and exception trends, escalating issues and driving resolution in partnership with the VP of Operations
• Partner with the VP of Operations to improve processes, strengthen working capital performance, and ensure alignment between operational execution and financial accuracy
• Maintain ultimate accountability for the accuracy of A/P and A/R financial reporting and related balance sheet integrity

Treasury, Banking & ABL Management

• Maintain daily visibility into cash position and liquidity across all entities
• Oversee and support management of the company’s asset-based lending (ABL) facility, including:
• Borrowing base reporting
• Collateral accuracy (A/R and inventory)
• Availability tracking and compliance
• Partner with executive leadership on cash forecasting, borrowing decisions, and capital planning
• Support banking relationships and ensure alignment with lender expectations

ERP & Transaction-Level Accounting Integrity

• Develop deep expertise in Epicor Eclipse and serve as the internal authority on transactional accounting flows
• Ensure accuracy of key operational accounting areas, including:
• Inventory and cost of goods sold
• Vendor rebates and credit memo processes
• Intercompany charges (admin fees, interest, payroll allocations)
• Lead detailed reconciliation efforts that tie operational activity to financial results
• Identify and resolve system or process-driven discrepancies at the source

Audit, Compliance & Process Improvement

• Coordinate with external auditors and support audit processes with accurate documentation and reconciliations
• Ensure readiness for financial, tax, and lender-related audits
• Identify inefficiencies and lead initiatives to improve accounting workflows, reporting, and system utilization

Intercompany & Multi-Entity Accounting

• Oversee accounting across 70 entities, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and proper consolidation
• Manage intercompany transactions, eliminations, and reconciliations
• Ensure alignment between entity-level financials and consolidated reporting
• Support organizational and ownership structure changes with accurate financial treatment

Shared Services Leadership

• Lead and develop the accounting team within the Shared Services environment
• Establish scalable processes and standardized workflows to support all branch locations
• Partner closely with the VP of Operations while maintaining independent ownership of financial controls and accounting integrity
• Drive accountability, performance, and continuous improvement across the team

Transition & Knowledge Transfer

• Lead structured transition efforts from the outgoing Comptroller
• Document key processes, relationships, and institutional knowledge
• Stabilize and enhance accounting operations during and after the transition

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA preferred.
• 8–12 years of progressive accounting experience, including a minimum of 3–5 years in a senior accounting or Comptroller-level role.
• Demonstrated experience managing accounting operations for a multi-location, multi-state business (50 locations preferred).
• Strong working knowledge of multi-state sales tax law, nexus analysis, and exemption certificate management.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Epicor Eclipse strongly preferred).
• Expertise in GAAP, financial statement preparation, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically within accounting functions
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office tools.

Preferred

• Experience in distribution, water services, or a field-services business model.
• Familiarity with asset-based lending (ABL) structures and reporting requirements
• Experience with intercompany accounting and consolidated financial statements
• Background in shared services or centralized accounting models

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Technical Accounting Acumen: Deep expertise in GAAP, financial reporting, and multi-entity accounting with strong attention to detail.
• Leadership & Team Development: Ability to lead a Shared Service Center accounting team with clarity, accountability, and a coaching mindset.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled at partnering with branch operations, IT, and executive leadership to align financial and operational goals.
• Process & Systems Orientation: Proactive in driving workflow improvements, ERP optimization, and scalable accounting infrastructure.
• Communication & Influence: Able to distill complex financial information for non-financial audiences and build trust with branch-level partners.
• Adaptability & Transition Management: Comfortable taking ownership through a leadership transition, quickly building institutional knowledge and relationships.

WHY WINSTON WATER COOLER

• Leadership Impact: Step into a visible, mission-critical role that shapes the financial foundation for 70 locations across the country.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team where finance and operations work hand-in-hand to support branch partners and drive business results.
• Growth & Stability: Be part of a growing distribution business with a long track record of operational success.
• Hybrid Flexibility: Enjoy the benefits of a shared service center environment with hybrid work flexibility.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive compensation, health, dental, vision, 401(k), and PTO.

Winston Water Cooler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.