Accounting & Advisory Services Manager

About Sweeney Conrad

At Sweeney Conrad, our foundation of “people first” begins with our employees—because we know the success of our firm stems from the relationships within it. We consider our employees family and foster a positive work culture, encouraging a healthy balance between work and life; building a career over having a job; continuing education and skill development; and being actively involved in the Puget Sound community where we live, work, and play.

We’re proud of our employees and our culture and have been recognized by Accounting Today as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” and by Puget Sound Business Journal as one of “Washington’s Best Workplaces”. For more information, visit www.sweeneyconrad.com.

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

Client Accounting & Advisory Services Manager

This position is part of our Client Accounting and Advisory Services group, which provides outsourced accounting services for small and medium businesses and family offices. The team focuses on professional services, including engineering, architecture, construction, dental and medical offices, law firms, tech companies, veterinary clinics, and other service-based businesses. This is a full-time hourly role, with overtime generally limited to the month of January.

The Client Accounting & Advisory Services Manager leads and oversees complex client accounting engagements, ensuring excellence in day-to-day accounting operations, including month-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting, while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and compliance. This role, often acting as a Controller for our clients, drives advanced financial analysis and strategic advisory services, partners with clients as a trusted business advisor, and proactively identifies opportunities to improve financial performance and operational efficiency. The Manager provides leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to associates and senior associates, manages client relationships at a high level, and plays a key role in shaping process improvements, system enhancements, and practice growth initiatives. This manager will participate in both prospect meetings and attend networking events to support client acquisition and firm growth initiatives. This position reports directly to the Director of Client Accounting & Advisory Services and is based in Kirkland, Washington, with a hybrid in-office work schedule.

 Specific Duties Will Include

• Directly supervise, train, and mentor a team of 3–5 staff members to ensure performance, development, and accountability
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all monthly client financial information
• Oversee and review monthly transactional accounting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and bank and credit card reconciliations in QuickBooks Online (QBO)
• Oversee payroll processing, including quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting, and ensure timely completion of state and city excise tax filings
• Maintain and optimize each client’s technology stack, recommending and implementing tools to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and overall service value
• Troubleshoot and oversee payroll onboarding, offboarding, delegation, and high-level payroll record maintenance
• Research and collaborate with the State & Local Tax team on compliance best practices to reduce client risk
• Anticipate client needs, respond promptly and professionally to communications, and regularly meet with clients to maintain a high standard of service
• Contribute to strategic direction and change management initiatives within one of the firm’s fastest-growing business units
• Participate actively in firm initiatives, culture-building efforts, and additional responsibilities as assigned
• Act as the final control point, safeguarding the integrity of financial statements and ensuring consistent, error-free execution of client business processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the department managers

 The successful candidate will have

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Taxation, or related field
• 6+ years of experience in Client Accounting & Advisory Services, accounting, audit, corporate controller, or related field
• 2+ years of supervisory experience in accounting or a related field
• Extensive knowledge of GAAP and strong financial statement analysis skills
• Experience with QuickBooks Online, Sage Intacct, and/or other accounting systems
• Experience with Bill.com, Paychex, or similar financial/payroll software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Excellent communication skills, strong emotional intelligence, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

While not required, the following skills would be considered an asset

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• CPA designation
• Experience with Expensify or similar expense management software
• Familiarity with Slack, Monday.com, or other workflow/collaboration tools

Benefits:

The pay range for this role is $90,000 - $130,000 per year. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education, and/or skill level.

For employees working 30 or more hours per week, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as dependent coverage; Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; and employer-paid life and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan with employer match. We also provide flexible time off (PTO) and 12 paid holidays

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.