Accountant Jobs in Madison, WI

The Director of Finance & Accounting leads the financial and risk management functions of Sharpe Engineering & Equipment, responsible for the company’s financial health and for ensuring every project is accurately measured, properly financed, and managed for margin and cash. This role owns accounting, project-based revenue recognition, financial reporting, cash flow, banking relationships, and business insurance and risk, and leads the accounting team. The Director of Finance & Accounting is a key leader in Sharpe’s acquisition strategy and a hands-on executive who balances strategic leadership with the detailed work of a growing company.

Reporting to the President, the Director of Finance & Accounting serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and a strategic partner in setting and executing Sharpe’s growth plans. This role interfaces with the Board Chair monthly and the Board of Directors quarterly, provides financial input to Sharpe’s Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, and owns the financial policies and procedures within Sharpe’s Business Operation System (BOS). The Director of Finance & Accounting works closely with Human Resources, the PMO, Engineering, F&I, and Controls leaders, as well as the VP of Sales & Marketing and the Director of Strategic Partnerships.

Financial Leadership & Reporting

• Plan, implement, manage, and control all financial activities of the company, and lead and develop the accounting team.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and analyses, and present results at the monthly management review.
• Prepare and present quarterly results and outlook to the Board of Directors, and support the Board Chair monthly.
• Lead the annual budget and rolling forecast process, and report performance against plan.

Acquisitions & Growth

• Partner with the President and Board to shape and execute Sharpe’s acquisition strategy as part of the growth plan.
• Screen acquisition targets and build financial models, valuations, and deal returns analyses.
• Lead financial, tax, and quality-of-earnings due diligence with outside advisors.
• Lead post-acquisition financial integration, bringing accounting, reporting, controls, and BOS financial procedures onto Sharpe’s standards, and track results against the deal model.

Project Accounting & Margin Management

• Establish project budgets at contract award and review actuals against budget monthly with each Project Manager.
• Own project-based revenue recognition under ASC 606, including percentage-of-completion, monthly estimate-to-complete reviews with Project Managers, WIP schedules, and over/under billings.
• Report project gross margin against estimate and escalate variances that exceed defined thresholds.
• Ensure invoicing follows each contract’s milestone schedule, change orders are billed promptly, and final invoices are issued only with client acceptance documentation.
• Partner with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and the commercial team on pricing, margin targets, payment terms, and contract financial risk.

Cash, Treasury & Banking

• Own cash flow forecasting, including weekly cash forecasts tied to project billing milestones and vendor payment schedules.
• Drive collections and manage accounts receivable and accounts payable to optimize net working capital.
• Maintain banking relationships while monitoring cash, debt, banking requirements, and financial covenants, and manage capital requests.

Controls, Compliance & Systems

• Establish and maintain internal accounting controls and safeguards.
• Maintain records in accordance with GAAP and comply with local, state, and federal reporting and tax requirements.
• Maintain relationships with external auditors and tax advisors, and resolve their findings and recommendations.
• Approve and lead improvements to the company’s accounting, ERP, and management information systems.

Performance Measurement & S&OP Input

• Own the company’s weekly Scorecard and the financial KPIs reviewed at the monthly management review.
• Provide financial input to Sharpe’s S&OP process, connecting backlog, capacity, and cash.

Business Operation System (BOS) & Financial Procedures

• Own finance-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), forms, and templates within the BOS, including accounting, invoicing, collection, and audit procedures.
• Train project managers and staff on financial procedures such as project budgeting and change order billing, and close gaps through corrective action.

Insurance, Risk & HR Partnership

• Own all business insurance, including brokers, carriers, renewals, and claims, matched to project and field risks.
• Identify and mitigate business risks, and review contract insurance, bonding, liability, and indemnity terms.
• Work closely with Human Resources, which leads payroll, employee benefit plans, and HR compliance, on payroll accounting, benefit costs, and labor cost reporting.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accurate, on-time monthly close, revenue recognition, and WIP reporting
• Cash flow forecast accuracy, net working capital, and days sales outstanding (DSO)
• Project gross margin against estimate, and timely escalation of variances
• Billing timeliness against contract milestones and approved change orders
• Budget and forecast accuracy
• Acquisition execution and integration results against the deal model
• Compliance with banking covenants, tax, and regulatory requirements
• Insurance coverage, cost, and claims experience
• Clean audit results and strength of internal controls
• Financial SOPs, WIs, and controls kept current, and training completed

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including 5+ years in senior finance leadership.
• Required: finance leadership in a project-based business (engineering, construction, or capital equipment).
• Required: hands-on ASC 606 project revenue recognition, including percentage-of-completion, WIP, and job costing.
• Experience managing banking relationships, debt covenants, audits, insurance, and Board reporting.
• Hands-on acquisition experience, including valuation, due diligence, deal financing, and post-close integration.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to translate financial results into clear actions for non-financial leaders.
• Proficiency with ERP and accounting systems and advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and discretion with confidential information.
• Excellent communicator, including with the executive team and Board of Directors.
• Hands-on, collaborative leader who works well across the PMO, Engineering, F&I, and the commercial team.

Sharpe Engineering offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits include paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays, a flexible work schedule, 401(k) plan with company match, and medical, dental, and vision insurance. We also provide short-term and long-term disability coverage, as well as life insurance, helping ensure peace of mind for you and your family.

Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is an Equal Opportunity Employer.