Accounting Manager/Assistant Controller — Westside (LA), CA | Pacific Executive Search

Accounting Manager/Assistant Controller

(Job ID: 1924)

Westside (LA), CA

On-Site

Direct Hire

Consumer Products

$120,000 – $130,000 base

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Overview

We are seeking an experienced Accounting Manager/Assistant Controller to play a pivotal role in managing financial operations across our diverse portfolio of consumer brands focused on health, wellness, and sustainability. This position offers a unique opportunity for career growth and development within a collaborative and innovative environment. You will contribute to the financial health of our businesses while working alongside a seasoned finance team dedicated to excellence and integrity.

Responsibilities

Oversee all accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across multiple entities.
Close monthly financial books and prepare comprehensive P&Ls, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow Statements to inform strategic decision-making.
Monitor and update key performance indicators (KPIs) to provide management with insights into business trends and operational performance.
Lead due diligence efforts with potential capital sources, both debt and equity, to support business growth initiatives.
Establish and uphold robust accounting policies and principles to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Assist in pricing, margin, inventory, and cash flow analysis to optimize financial performance.
Manage payroll processing and reporting for restaurants and corporate entities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier university with a strong academic record.
7+ years of hands-on accounting experience, preferably in the fast casual restaurant industry.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (including pivot tables and v-lookups).
Experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks, Bill.com, Toast, and Paychex.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial reporting.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects effectively.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and compliance regulations.
Nice-to-Have:
Experience with financial modeling and analysis.
Familiarity with fixed asset reporting and capital project tracking.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment while also being a self-starter.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Accounting Manager hires fail?
Because companies hire for close execution when the real need is issue ownership and team leadership. Many candidates can manage a checklist. Far fewer can stabilize the function under pressure, improve weak processes, coach staff, and hold the line during audit, turnover, or reporting stress.
What are strong Accounting Manager candidates evaluating during the interview process?
They are usually trying to understand whether they are walking into a stable environment, a cleanup situation, or an under-resourced function. Strong candidates do not just evaluate title and compensation. They assess whether success is realistically achievable and whether leadership understands what the accounting team actually needs.
Why are SaaS accounting and finance roles different from general corporate roles?
Because recurring revenue models create different pressure points around revenue recognition, deferred revenue, forecasting, metrics, and scale. Even strong general accounting or finance candidates can struggle if they have not operated in an environment where recurring revenue and growth-stage process discipline matter.
Why is cost accounting experience often treated as a separate requirement?
Because cost accounting is not just a line item on a resume. In the right environments, it shapes how the business understands margins, inventory, production efficiency, and operating performance. Employers usually separate it out because general accounting strength alone does not guarantee sound judgment in a costing environment.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.

Accounting Manager/Assistant Controller

Overview

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

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