Senior Manager, Accounting

Background

Location: Hybrid – work-from-home and the office (303 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago)

Type: Full-time, permanent position

Division: Association of Pickleball Players (APP)

Reports to: President, APP

Overview

The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2024 APP Tour slate boasts 12 tournament stops, in addition to Signature, International, and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its Next Gen Series and other youth initiatives. You can view the 2024 Tour schedule here: https://www.theapp.global/tour/2024/professional

The Position

The APP Finance and Accounting team is seeking a Senior Manager, Accounting to oversee the day-to-day accounting function and operations of the company. The Senior Manager must be based in the Chicagoland area and works within the APP’s Finance and Accounting team, reports to the APP President, and will work out of the APP’s corporate headquarters in Chicago.

We are seeking an experienced accounting professional with the ability to lead and with the interest and dedication necessary to work in a start-up environment, one in which initiative and resourcefulness is highly valued. This individual must be an energetic self-starter, with the ability to interface with many members of the organization, outside business constituents, and company investors, and provide daily management and guidance to a team of one direct report – a Staff Accountant. The Senior Manager will be expected to assert him/herself in successfully identifying, proposing, selling-in, implementing, and overseeing systems, process, and resources that will elevate the APP’s accounting function. The ideal candidate has six (6) or more years relevant professional experience, has ideally managed another accountant(s), and has experience producing finance reports, and ideally interfacing with the investor community

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Embody and reflect the APP’s start-up and performance-based culture and commit him/herself as the leader of financial operations of the company

Oversight and Accountability

• Direct activities junior team member(s) – AR, AP, general ledger, quarterly/annual close and other related activities
• Work closely with the President to manage critical financial requirements of the business related to internal control
• Assist in meeting all financial reporting requirements of internal and external users
• Coordinate activities with external accountants
• Assess current accounting operations, offering recommendations for improvement and implementing new processes
• Personify the team’s professional and service-minded demeanor by taking a consultative approach to working with a wide breadth of internal colleagues and stakeholders in the spirit of partnership

Team Management

• Manage, train, and mentor junior team member(s) with responsibility for goal setting, feedback, and constructive guidance; manage additional team members as identified

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required; CPA is a plus
• Experience in start-up environment and/or professional services industry preferred
• Minimum six (6) years’ FP&A experience
• Experience producing financial reports/ideally interfacing with investor community
• Strong technical accounting background with a thorough knowledge of US GAAP
• Excellent Excel skills required
• Extensive knowledge working with accounting systems – the APP’s ERP system is Acumatica
• Innovative and experience in process improvement
• Professional, organized, time management, mature and can safeguard confidential information
• Excels in a fast-paced environment
• Interest in commercial sports, entertainment, lifestyle offerings is a plus
• Polished, professional demeanor, projects confidence and enthusiasm for the business

The APP is an Equal Opportunity Employer