Manager, Client Accounting Services - Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Description

US - Remote | Consumer Packaged Goods Focus

What to Expect When You Join Sikich

Team members at Sikich have a lot in common while also being part of a rich and varied group of contributors, creating a distinct and thriving culture. Chief among our commonalities is a desire for growth and a shared unity of purpose in our professional lives. We believe that through different perspectives, challenging the status quo, and rewarding action, we accelerate innovation and drive growth for our clients, ourselves, and our communities.

The professional services landscape continues to evolve. For Sikich, this means we have an opportunity to further cement our leadership position in this industry and continue to grow our organization in increasingly exciting ways. This growth is meaningful for every team member because larger companies see more interesting client opportunities and can attract impressively talented individuals like you. Through a dedicated focus on key business priorities and intentionally creating a rewarding employee experience, Sikich has developed into a highly regarded provider of professional services and a sought-after employer of choice.

Do you want to work with other skilled practitioners and serve clients in a way that makes a difference? Are you seeking a supportive environment backed by a deep and extensive set of skill sets? Are you ready to make an impact and be acknowledged for your contributions? If you answered yes, we see a mutually beneficial and gratifying relationship on the horizon.

Are you ready to grow with us?

Position Summary

Sikich is seeking a Manager, Client Accounting Services (CAS), who will oversee outsourced accounting engagements for a portfolio of clients, effectively serving in a Controller or Accounting Manager capacity with a focus on Consumer Package Goods (CPG) clients. This role will lead the delivery of accurate and timely financial reporting, manage the month-end close process, and ensure adherence to GAAP and leading practices. The Manager provides leadership to engagement teams, reviews work performed by staff and seniors, and partners directly with clients to support financial operations, process improvements, and strategic decision-making. This role also includes project management responsibilities, ensuring engagements are executed efficiently, timelines are met, and client expectations are exceeded.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience supporting Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) organizations, including multi-channel sales environments, inventory-intensive operations, contract manufacturing, direct store delivery (DSD), private label programs, retailer relationships, and supply chain accounting. This individual will serve as a strategic advisor by providing financial insights related to product profitability, inventory management, gross margin optimization, working capital, and operational scalability.

What Will You Do in This Role?

• Serve as the primary Controller or Accounting Manager for assigned clients, overseeing all aspects of the accounting function.
• Lead and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate, complete, and timely financial reporting.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements prepared by staff to ensure compliance with GAAP and firm standards.
• Analyze financial results, trends, and variances and provide actionable insights to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Establish, document, and improve accounting processes, internal controls, and workflows to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Manage client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for financial and operational matters.
• Coordinate client deliverables, deadlines, and engagement scope through effective project management practices.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and working capital planning.
• Assist clients with system implementations, process transitions, integrations, and accounting clean-up projects.
• Collaborate with tax, audit, technology, and advisory teams to support integrated service delivery.
• Mentor, coach, and develop team members; review performance and provide ongoing feedback.
• Delegate work effectively while maintaining accountability for engagement quality and outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for additional services and contribute to CAS business development efforts.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and firm policies across all engagements.
• Support CPG clients with inventory accounting, cost accounting, and gross margin analysis across product lines and sales channels.
• Review and analyze inventory valuations and reserves, obsolete and slow-moving inventory, landed costs, freight allocations, and SKU-level profitability.
• Improve accounting processes related to supply chain operations, manufacturing, contract manufacturers, co-packers, warehouses, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
• Oversee accounting for trade promotions, rebates, chargebacks, customer deductions, slotting fees, and other retailer-related programs.
• Support trade promotion management (TPM) processes, including promotional spend forecasting, trade accrual accuracy, and deduction research and resolution.
• Develop financial reporting and KPI dashboards covering inventory turnover, gross margin, contribution margin, product profitability, channel performance, and working capital.
• Leverage syndicated retail data and point-of-sale (POS) data to support sales, margin, and trade spend performance analysis.
• Provide financial and accounting guidance for wholesale, retail, distributor, eCommerce, Amazon, direct store delivery (DSD), and direct-to-consumer business models.
• Ability to present financial results and operational insights to founders, executive leadership teams, lenders, and investors, translating complex accounting concepts into actionable business recommendations.
• Assist clients in preparing board-ready financial reports and board decks, including support for capital raise preparation and investor updates.

What Do You Need to Succeed in This Role?

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• CPA certification is preferred.
• Five or more years of experience in public accounting, consulting, outsourced accounting services, or an in-house accounting role with relevant client-facing responsibilities, including CPG-specific experience.
• Two or more years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing month-end close and financial reporting processes.
• Experience operating in a Controller or Accounting Manager capacity for multiple clients or business units.
• CPG industry experience is required, with hands-on responsibility for inventory-intensive accounting and financial operations.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, cost accounting, inventory valuation methodologies, inventory reserves, standard or actual costing, and gross margin analysis.
• Experience accounting for trade spend, promotional allowances, customer deductions, rebates, chargebacks, and retailer programs.
• Experience supporting multi-channel revenue streams, including wholesale, retail, distributor, eCommerce, Amazon, direct store delivery (DSD), and direct-to-consumer channels.
• Knowledge of supply chain accounting concepts, including landed costs, freight allocation, 3PL arrangements, co-packers, and contract manufacturing.
• Experience preparing and analyzing CPG performance metrics, including inventory turnover, SKU profitability, contribution margin, gross margin by channel, and working capital.
• Proficiency with accounting systems such as QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP Business One, Acumatica, or similar ERP systems.
• Proficiency with Cin7, SPS Commerce, Shopify, Amazon Seller/Vendor Central reporting
• Familiarity with Trade Promotion Management (TPM) or deduction management platforms is a plus.
• Ability to evaluate cash runway, inventory investment strategies, purchase commitments, financing alternatives, and working capital optimization initiatives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple clients and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal and client service skills, with the ability to build and maintain trusted relationships.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and contribute to continuous process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, adopt, and use emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation tools, to enhance business processes, improve decision-making, and drive operational efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or outsourced finance leader for a CPG organization.
• Experience supporting companies through rapid growth, new product launches, retail expansion, channel expansion, or supply chain transformation.
• Experience working with national or regional retailers and managing the related accounting and reporting requirements.
• Experience supporting private equity-backed or investor-backed CPG organizations.
• Exposure to demand planning, inventory forecasting, operational finance, and unit economics.

Compensation

In compliance with applicable state pay transparency laws, the salary range for this role is $115,600 minimum, $160,550 midpoint, and $205,500 maximum. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer may vary based on several factors, including experience and geographic location. Compensation ranges for roles in our Government Services pillar are determined by contract with the specific government agency Sikich is servicing.

Specific Skills and Experience

• Servant Leader - You are highly focused on engaging employees, fostering their development, and building a positive culture.
• Solutions Focused - You see opportunities in every business problem and can develop, articulate, and implement solutions.
• Collaboration - You are a relationship builder across all levels of the organization and across business units.
• Instills Trust - You do what you say, follow through on commitments, act with integrity, and are perceived as consistent and credible.
• Impact and Influence Thinking - You gain support for ideas, proposals, and solutions and inspire action, with or without formal authority, to advance initiatives and objectives.

About Sikich

Sikich offers the public and private sectors a varied platform of professional services across consulting, technology, and compliance. Highly specialized and hands-on teams deliver integrated solutions rooted in deep industry experience. Our approach is strategically and thoughtfully designed to help our clients, teams, and communities accelerate success.

Sikich Total Rewards

Our team members enjoy expansive benefits ranging from competitive compensation and insurance options to wellness programs and a flexible time off policy. Sikich also takes pride in prioritizing team members' health, total well-being, and time spent with family, friends, and in pursuit of personal goals, hobbies, and endeavors.

Some examples of our many benefits

• Sikich maintains a Flexible Time Off (FTO) Policy. We encourage every full-time employee, as the role permits, to use paid time off for personal time, mental or physical health care, vacation, sick leave, and other needs. FTO is activated on the first day of employment.
• Sikich recognizes paid holidays during the year and strives to permit employees to have time off during the last week of the calendar year when client and project work permits.
• Sikich offers a comprehensive wellness program designed to engage, challenge, and empower team members to take responsibility for their well-being.

We also offer

• Flexible work arrangements
• Health, dental, vision, life, accident, death, and disability insurance options
• HSA employer contribution
• Nine paid holidays annually
• Paid Parental Bonding Leave covering birth, adoption, and foster children
• 401(k) with employer contributions
• CPA bonus with four paid exam days and four paid study days
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee referral bonus program
• Client referral bonus program
• Pet insurance
• FORCE, the Sikich community volunteer program, enabling each team member to use up to four paid hours annually to volunteer in local communities

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