Accounting & Financial Outsourcing Sr. Consultant, Equine (Asst. Controller)

About Dean Dorton

Dean Dorton’s team makes up one of the largest advisory firms in the United States. We thrive when you thrive! We are here to help you succeed in every step of your development and career as you work with nationally recognized experts in a recognized best place to work.

Our core values guide how we work, lead, and support one another every day. They are:

• Integrity - We do the right thing, integrity guides our decisions.
• Relationships - We value people, relationships drive our impact.
• Collaboration - We win as one team, collaboration fuels our success.
• Growth - We stay curious, growth is our mindset.

About Accounting and Financial Outsourcing (AFO)

Dean Dorton's outsourced accounting team serves as a critical component to the financial success of our clients. Our team partners with organizations to serve as their CFO, controller, and/or accounting team – allowing clients to focus on other key business processes integral to their success. By offering cloud-based and real-time financial data to our clients, we translate complex financial information into meaningful advice including visualizations of the precise metrics that matter to investors, lenders, executives, and department leaders. This provides our clients with the data they need to make quicker strategic business decisions with greater control over their cash flow.

About the Role

The Senior Consultant plays a critical role as the liaison between clients and the AFO team and functions in a similar capacity as an Assistant Controller/Controller for clients. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting and building trusted client relationships, by overseeing month-end processes and providing advisory services to clients, including clients in the Equine Industry. Similar to an Assistant Controller, the Senior Consultant understands their clients' business and industry to provide the most accurate financial data and information that supports client decision making.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The essential duties & responsibilities of the Senior Consultant role are outlined below in correlation with Dean Dorton’s performance management impact areas. 

Technical

• Prepare and/or review all facets of the month-end close process including reconciliations, financial statements, and general ledger activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all accounting standards.
• Prepare complex financial entries and adjustments for clients with unique accounting needs.
• Analyze complex financial data to generate reports and dashboards for client reference.
• Review and finalize tax preparation work for clients, including controllership duties.
• Manage client implementations and new client leads in collaboration with the team.
• Understand the business and industry of assigned clients, including a thorough understanding of key strategic objectives.  
• Apply industry-specific knowledge for Equine clients, including familiarity with horse farm operations, breeding and racing activities, sales activity, ownership structures, and related financial reporting considerations.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, handling inquiries and escalations, providing solutions, and ensuring client satisfaction.

Behavioral

• Drive process improvements to streamline workflows and enhance client service delivery.
• Collaborate with managers and leaders as needed for client management and engagement coordination. 
• Focus on growing skills and expertise in identified specialty interests, including industry verticals.  
• Act as the internal intermediary between AFO team members and clients.
• Communicate financial data and reports to clients in a clear and understandable manner.
• Communicate effectively, setting clear expectations for team members and clients.    
• Collaborate with other AFO team members to develop and implement standardized procedures to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Serve as a role model for newer AFO team members, answering questions and providing technical and non-technical support, including review comments and growth opportunities.
• Work independently and autonomously, for both external and internal work assignments, managing multiple tasks, priorities, and expectations. 
• Meet productivity goals and expectations.  
• Meet internal and client deadlines.  
• Demonstrate flexibility and accountability by managing your responsibilities effectively, adapting to changing needs, and contributing to a collaborative, team-oriented work environment.

Non-Charge

• Provide guidance and training to AFO team members on technical skills, accounting software programs, and industry-specific knowledge.
• Champion software and technology initiatives within the outsourced accounting team, leading training sessions and process improvements.
• Obtain a baseline understanding of the firm’s services and collaboration with other service groups to provide effective client service and observe opportunities for multi-service projects. 
• Participate in firm-sponsored events and activities.   
• Participate in team and firm non-charge activities of interest, such as:   
• Recruiting activities, including interviewing and evaluating candidates.  
• Evaluating and developing internal processes, procedures, and guidelines.  
• Contributing to the development of training materials and leading training sessions.  
• Joining an internal committee or initiative.    
• Serving as a Career Advisor for AFO team members.    
• Assisting in business development efforts, including attending industry events, networking with potential clients, and promoting the firm's services. 

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, required in accounting, finance, business, or related field.  
• Four to five years of experience in accounting or finance role. Preferrable experience as an Assistant Controller or Controller.
• Prior accounting experience working within the Equine industry clients or businesses preferred, including horse farms, breeding or racing operations, sales companies, or related ownership structures.
• Proficiency in accounting software programs and tools (e.g., Bill.com, Sage Intacct, etc.) may be required.
• Average schedule is 42-45 hours per week, with a minimum requirement of 2,200 hours per year
• Understanding of serving clients across the United States and internationally, including flexibility to accommodate client needs across time zones, such as clients located in the Pacific Time Zone.
• This is an in-office position based out of the Lexington, KY office, with a minimum expectation of three days in office per week after the first year of employment.

Software & Tools

• CaseWare 
• Sage Intacct 
• QuickBooks 
• Expensify 
• BILL
• Yearli 
• BILL Spend and Expense
• Floqast 
• Adobe 
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) 
• 1Password
• Sharepoint
• Sharefile

 Travel

Travel, on an extremely limited basis, may be required for client or firm needs.    

Benefits

The Fun Stuff   

Work isn’t all work! We want to make your experience at Dean Dorton a great one. From your health and happiness to your long-term satisfaction, we focus on YOU! A few highlights are listed below:  

• Health insurance – medical, vision, dental
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid family leave, medical leave, and maternity/paternity leave programs.
• Retirement benefits – 401(K) match and best-in-class automatic profit sharing
• Telemedicine, mental health resources, and wellness program reimbursement
• Life insurance and disability insurance

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by team members assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Additionally, responsibilities and duties may vary depending on business needs and individual circumstances. Dean Dorton is an equal opportunity employer.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies, recruiters, or search firms. Any resumes or candidate information submitted without a current, signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited, become the property of the company, and will not obligate the company to pay any fees or commissions.