The Accounting Manager – M&A is responsible for leading the accounting and financial integration of acquired businesses throughout the transaction lifecycle. This role owns post-close integration activities, executes purchase accounting, and ensures acquired entities are successfully transitioned into the company’s financial systems, policies, and internal controls.
This position partners closely with the Director of Finance, M&A on transaction planning, diligence, and integration strategy, while independently driving detailed accounting workstreams and coordinating with cross-functional teams including AR, AP, Payroll, FP&A, Treasury, and IT.
Key Responsibilities
Transaction Support & Financial Due Diligence (Pre-Close)
- Assist in financial due diligence efforts, including quality of earnings analysis, revenue recognition assessments (ASC 606), and working capital evaluations
- Analyze historical financial performance, including revenue, margins, and client/project data
- Review third-party diligence reports (finance, tax, insurance)
- Support review of purchase agreements, focusing on working capital adjustments, earnouts, escrow provisions, and other key financial terms
- Prepare data requests, schedules, and supporting analyses for diligence
Post-Close Financial Integration
Revenue & Accounts Receivable
- Support Order-to-Cash integration planning and execution
- Validate and reconcile opening AR balances and accrued revenue
- Coordinate contract, project, and billing data migration
- Assist with system readiness, billing processes, and time entry procedures
Accounts Payable & Expenses
- Lead Purchase-to-Pay integration activities
- Validate vendor data and oversee opening AP balances
- Ensure proper expense classification across pre- and post-close periods
- Implement approval workflows and expense reporting processes
Purchase & Technical Accounting
- Execute purchase accounting under ASC 805, including opening balance sheet preparation
- Map chart of accounts and establish new entities or reporting structures
- Support purchase price allocation and related journal entries
- Prepare technical accounting documentation and transaction memos
- Monitor working capital adjustments, earnouts, and escrow activity
Financial Reporting & Close Process
- Transition acquired entities into standard close and reporting cycles
- Oversee initial post-acquisition close periods
- Align accounting policies, including ASC 606 and ASC 842
- Support system transitions and data migration from legacy platforms
- Serve as primary accounting contact through stabilization
Treasury & Cash Management
- Assist with bank account setup and access controls
- Validate opening cash balances and initial reconciliations
- Partner with Treasury on cash forecasting and transition activities
Payroll & Vendor Integration
- Support integration of subcontractors and vendor relationships
- Coordinate with HR and Payroll to ensure accurate financial handoffs
Project Management & Leadership
- Act as finance lead for integration projects across multiple transactions
- Maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and status reporting
- Supervise and review work performed by junior team members
- Identify risks, resolve issues, and escalate concerns as needed
Qualifications & Skills
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, including ASC 805, ASC 606, and ASC 842
- Experience with M&A accounting, financial integration, and multi-entity environments
- Advanced Excel proficiency; familiarity with ERP or project accounting systems preferred
- Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required
- CPA preferred (or in progress)
- 6–10 years of relevant experience in M&A accounting, transaction advisory, or technical accounting within public accounting or corporate environments
If you want, I can tailor this further to sound more aggressive (for a high-growth PE-backed firm) or more corporate/structured depending on the audience.
