Job Description:
The Manager, General Ledger Systems serves as the functional owner for the systems, processes, and controls that support the General Ledger organization. This role partners across Accounting, Finance, and Information Technology to ensure financial systems operate effectively, support accurate financial reporting, and enable an efficient and controlled close process. The position leads accounting system enhancements, process standardization, automation initiatives, and ERP-related projects while maintaining compliance with internal control and audit requirements. This role provides leadership through subject matter expertise, project ownership, and cross-functional influence rather than direct people management.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting Systems Ownership
- Serve as the primary accounting business owner for General Ledger-related ERP functionality, configurations, and financial master data.
- Maintain governance over chart of accounts structures, account mappings, cost centers, and other financial hierarchies.
- Partner with IT and system administrators to ensure accounting systems support operational and reporting requirements.
- Monitor and resolve accounting system issues impacting financial operations and reporting accuracy.
Process Management & Continuous Improvement
- Lead process improvement initiatives across the General Ledger organization to increase efficiency, standardization, and control effectiveness.
- Identify and implement automation opportunities to reduce manual effort and improve the reliability of accounting processes.
- Develop and maintain process documentation, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
- Promote best practices for financial data governance and accounting process consistency.
Financial Close Enablement
- Support the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close by ensuring systems, interfaces, and automated processes function effectively.
- Partner with accounting leadership to identify and resolve process bottlenecks affecting close performance.
- Drive initiatives to improve close efficiency, reconciliation completion, and reporting cycle times.
- Support financial reporting and account reconciliation processes through effective systems management.
ERP & Project Leadership
- Lead accounting participation in ERP upgrades, system enhancements, implementations, and related projects.
- Coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT), issue resolution, and validation of system changes affecting accounting processes.
- Evaluate the impact of proposed system changes on financial reporting and internal controls.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Accounting and IT on GL-related projects and initiatives.
Controls, Compliance & Audit Support
- Maintain compliance with SOX and internal control requirements associated with financial systems and accounting processes.
- Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, testing support, and process explanations.
- Coordinate system access reviews, segregation-of-duties assessments, and change management controls.
- Partner with stakeholders to identify and remediate process or control deficiencies.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Accounting, FP&A, Tax, Internal Audit, Operations, and Information Technology.
- Influence process adoption and drive accountability among stakeholders without direct reporting authority.
- Communicate process changes, system enhancements, and project updates to leadership and business partners.
- Act as a trusted advisor on accounting systems, process governance, and automation opportunities.
Requirements
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field required.
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or other relevant professional certification preferred.
Experience
- 5+ years of progressive accounting, financial systems, financial reporting, or process improvement experience.
- Experience supporting month-end close and financial reporting processes.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects, system implementations, or process improvement initiatives.
- Experience working in a SOX-regulated environment preferred.
- ERP experience required; SAP S/4HANA experience strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting processes, and internal controls.
- Understanding of ERP systems, financial system integrations, and accounting workflows.
- Experience with automation, process improvement, and systems optimization initiatives.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and lead initiatives without direct authority.
- Effective communication and relationship-building skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proficiency with financial systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
Disclaimer:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at a time with or without notice. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform, and the employee may be required to perform additional functions. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.