Accounting Manager- AP

Working at Nth Degree, we don’t merely manage trade shows, exhibits, and events. Our job is to craft experiences that help build stronger brands—and we relish it.

Due to massive growth, Nth Degree is seeking an experienced and highly analytical Accounting Manager to oversee the Accounts Payable function across Nth Degree and its business units. This role will lead a team of four and be responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and efficient processing of a high volume of invoices across multiple business units and complex accounting environments.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong knowledge of project accounting and technical accounting principles. The Accounting Manager will provide guidance, training, and mentorship to the AP team on proper accounting treatment and coding of invoices, including more complex transactions involving prepaid expenses, fixed assets, inventory, project costs, accruals, and other balance sheet and P&L classifications.

The ideal candidate will bring strong accounting judgment, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. In addition to overseeing day-to-day AP operations, this position will partner closely with the broader Accounting and Finance teams on month-end close, audits, system implementations and integrations, acquisitions, procurement processes, and continuous process improvement.

You will report directly to the Tradeshow Services Controller and be based out of Nth Degree’s corporate office in Duluth GA. We do function in a hybrid capacity; typically, two days in the office, three days remote. 

 What You’ll Do: 

Accounts Payable Leadership & Operations

• Lead and oversee the Accounts Payable team of four, providing day-to-day direction, prioritization, coaching, and performance management.
• Oversee AP activities across Nth Degree and its business units
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete processing and payment of a high volume of invoices.
• Review and resolve complex invoice coding and accounting issues, serving as a subject matter expert and escalation point for the AP team.
• Establish and maintain appropriate controls and procedures to ensure invoices are properly approved, coded, recorded, and paid.
• Monitor AP aging, payment status, exceptions, and outstanding items to ensure timely resolution and payment.
• Manage procurement system statuses and workflows, ensuring invoices move through the process efficiently and issues are addressed promptly.
• Identify bottlenecks and operational issues and develop solutions to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the AP function.

Project & Technical Accounting

• Provide guidance and training to AP staff on proper accounting treatment and coding of invoices, particularly within a project-based accounting environment.
• Apply knowledge of project accounting to ensure costs are appropriately assigned to projects, departments, cost centers, entities, and accounts.
• Review and provide accounting guidance for more complex transactions, including:
  • Prepaid expenses and expense recognition
  • Fixed assets and capitalization
  • Inventory and inventory-related costs
  • Project costs and job-related expenses
  • Accruals and cut-off
  • Intercompany transactions
  • Other complex P&L and balance sheet coding considerations
• Partner with Accounting leadership and the month-end close team to ensure AP activity is accurately reflected in the financial statements.
• Assist with identifying and recording accruals related to open invoices and outstanding procurement activity at month-end.
• Help ensure appropriate accounting treatment and documentation for unusual or non-routine transactions.

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting Support

• Support the month-end close process by providing accurate AP reporting and information to the accounting team.
• Assist with the identification and calculation of accruals for open invoices, purchase orders, and other outstanding procurement activity.
• Review AP activity for completeness and proper period cut-off.
• Research and resolve discrepancies impacting the general ledger and financial statements.
• Provide supporting schedules, reconciliations, and documentation as requested by the close team.

Audit Support & Internal Controls

• Assist with annual financial statement audits and other external audit activities.
• Gather, organize, and provide audit support and documentation in a timely manner.
• Respond to auditor requests related to AP transactions, invoice support, vendor balances, payments, accruals, and accounting treatment.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and support for AP processes and accounting decisions.
• Help identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls and improve compliance with accounting policies.

Systems, Implementations & Acquisitions

• Participate in accounting and procurement system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and process changes.
• Support system integrations associated with acquisitions and the onboarding of new business units.
• Help evaluate system workflows, configurations, approval processes, and accounting mappings to ensure AP requirements are properly addressed.
• Assist with testing, data validation, issue identification, and implementation of new systems and processes.
• Partner with Accounting, Finance, Procurement, IT, and other stakeholders to ensure successful system and process integration.

Process Improvement & Documentation

• Continuously evaluate AP processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, controls, and scalability.
• Develop, maintain, and improve AP policies, procedures, process documentation, and training materials.
• Standardize processes across Nth Degree and its various business units where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and reduce errors or processing time.
• Lead or participate in cross-functional projects designed to improve the procure-to-pay and accounting processes.

Team Development & Leadership

• Mentor, coach, and develop AP team members to strengthen their accounting knowledge and technical capabilities.
• Provide ongoing training related to invoice coding, project accounting, technical accounting concepts, systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for accuracy, productivity, timeliness, and customer service.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented environment within the AP team.
• Cross-train team members to build knowledge depth and ensure continuity of operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, with significant experience in Accounts Payable.
• Prior experience leading, supervising, or managing an AP or accounting team.
• Strong understanding of project accounting and cost allocation.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including experience with:
  • Prepaids
  • Fixed assets
  • Inventory
  • Accruals
  • Expense recognition
  • General ledger coding
  • Period-end cut-off
• Experience managing high-volume AP operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of the procure-to-pay process.
• Demonstrated ability to research accounting issues and exercise sound accounting judgment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience supporting audits and providing audit documentation.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with accounting/ERP and procurement systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Operations, IT, and other functions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a project-based, construction, events, services, or other complex job-cost accounting environment.
• Experience with multiple legal entities or business units.
• Experience supporting acquisitions and integrating newly acquired businesses into accounting and procurement systems.
• Experience with ERP implementations, system integrations, and procurement platforms.
• Experience developing and documenting accounting and AP processes.
• Experience with process automation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Competencies

• Technical Accounting Expertise – Applies sound accounting principles and judgment to complex transactions and invoice coding.
• Project Accounting Knowledge – Understands how costs should be captured, allocated, and reported within project-based environments.
• Leadership & Mentorship – Develops team members and builds accounting knowledge within the AP organization.
• Operational Excellence – Effectively manages high-volume transactions while maintaining accuracy and timeliness.
• Problem Solving – Investigates issues, identifies root causes, and develops practical solutions.
• Attention to Detail – Maintains a high level of accuracy in a complex and fast-moving environment.
• Process Improvement – Continuously looks for ways to improve efficiency, controls, documentation, and scalability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partners effectively with Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Operations, IT, and other stakeholders.
• Adaptability – Successfully navigates changing priorities, acquisitions, system implementations, and evolving business needs.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means building a strong, knowledgeable AP team that can independently manage a high-volume, complex invoice environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy, timeliness, and accounting integrity. The Accounting Manager will serve as a trusted accounting resource for the AP team and broader organization, ensuring transactions are properly coded and accounted for while continuously improving processes, systems, and controls across Nth Degree and its business units.

Nth Degree is an equal opportunity employer committed to equal consideration for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.