VP Accounting

VP Accounting

National Carwash Solutions (NCS) was founded in 1973 as Ryko Solutions, Inc. in Grimes, Iowa, and was a pioneer in automated car wash equipment, including one of the first attendant-free systems. Over the past 50 years, the company has grown through organic growth and acquisitions and rebranded to NCS in 2016 to unify its brands. With an aggressive acquisition strategy, acquiring 13 companies in the past four years, NCS is North America’s leading end-to-end provider of car wash equipment, chemicals, parts/aftermarket parts, technology systems, installation, and servicing, catering to all sizes of carwash operations. The company operates nine manufacturing facilities and a network of distribution centers. Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm acquired the company in 2020.

The VP Accounting serves as the top leader of the Accounting function reporting to the Chief Financial Officer. This leader is responsible for all core corporate Accounting activities, as well as the plant level Controllers, and will be focused on driving significant improvement in the overall function – people, processes, and systems – through implementing clear and consistent procedures, processes and controls, organizing the team and establishing priorities for them, and partnering with stakeholders to support a successful reconfiguration of NetSuite. This role will build a culture of “accounting tenacity”, tempered with an 80/20 materiality decision making mindset.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Building

• Build a culture of continuous improvement.
• Teach and coach the team in the fundamentals (e.g., reconciliations).
• Establish clear short- and long-term goals, performance standards, and development plans.
• Maintain a high level of engagement with the team, providing positive reinforcement, feedback, and support for professional growth.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within the accounting organization.

Strategic Accounting Leadership

• Partner with the CFO to determine accounting and tax implications for all material business decisions.
• Partner with FP&A team on company-wide initiatives and implement best practice process and systems in key accounting functions while developing and tracking functional KPIs in partnership with FP&A leadership.
• Partner with FP&A to develop, analyze, and interpret accounting information to assess operating results in terms of profitability, performance against plan, and other matters impacting fiscal soundness.
• Principal point of contact with accounting firms, while owning the Company’s interpretation of technical accounting matters and compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations.
• Oversee cash flow forecasting and liquidity management to monitor debt covenant compliance.

• Manage banking relationships, treasury operations, and capital planning.

• Oversee responsibilities of the Shared Services Center, which supports the accounting functions for plant operations including journal entry support, analytics, account reconciliations, and ensuring internal controls.

Operational Accounting Leadership

• Ensure accurate and timely dissemination of financial reporting, including internal and external monthly financial statements, audits, and lender reporting. Ensure compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements.

• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors and lead all aspects of the annual audit and related filings.

• Manage the daily aspects of accounting, billing, financial statements, general ledger, tax compliance, and revenue recognition.

• Oversee general ledger and recording of all business transactions, including analysis and reconciliation of accounts.

• Manage inventory, fixed assets, and capital expenditure accounting and reporting.
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.

• Oversee complex technical accounting (e.g., revenue recognition, purchase price accounting, debt modifications and restructuring, tax)
• Partner with business and finance leadership on M&A-related activities, including transaction support, purchase accounting, and integration.

Process Optimization and Internal Controls

• Drive process improvements and internal control enhancements across the accounting organization to ensure integrity, scalability, and efficiency.
• Bring rigor and discipline to accounting processes, including shortening the close cycle and improving reporting speed and accuracy.
• Leverage technology to automate and streamline workflows, reporting, and reconciliations.
• Validate all financial controls and procedures, maintaining proper policies and procedures in finance, accounting, and tax.

Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of this position at any time

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• CPA required
• MBA or advanced degree preferred

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a VP+ leadership role
• Proven success managing external audits, audit committees, and complex financial reporting under US GAAP.
• Strong experience in M&A, including purchase accounting and post-acquisition integration.
• Experience across a range of business models (e.g., software/SaaS, manufacturing, labor-based businesses, distribution)
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements, technology implementations, and operational efficiencies.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills. Track record of managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Comfortable acting as a change agent—experienced in driving transformation.
• Strong technical accounting expertise, with a proven ability to interpret and apply complex accounting standards.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership, the C-suite, board members, and external stakeholders.
• High integrity and strong ethical standards, with a clear sense of fiduciary responsibility and a bias for action.
• Strategic and detail-oriented mindset. Able to balance precision in financial reporting with broader financial planning and business alignment.
• Strong cross-functional collaborator, able to partner effectively with key stakeholders across functions.

• Exceptional analytical skills with a strong understanding of financial data and its implications for business strategy.
• Experience managing and implementing financial planning tools and systems. NetSuite is ideal.

National Carwash Solutions is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free, EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, sex age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, education, political affiliation or veteran status.