Accounting Manager

About Purple Wave

Visit us at: PurpleWave.com

Purple Wave Auction is a leader in the equipment auction industry focusing on construction, ag, fleet, and government equipment.  We are a data-driven, quickly changing and evolving, growing organization.  Our focus is on marketing the assets we sell for our customers to find the highest quality bidders for the best recoveries for our sellers.  We strive to make this transaction Straight, Simple, and Sold.  We live daily by our core values of trust, team, care, and passion to be the place people want to work and our customers want to return to for their equipment buying and selling needs for their businesses.

Purple Wave Auction is the largest no-reserve Internet auction company in the Midwest.

• We have over 300 employees, nearly doubling in size in the last three years.
• We have a robust tech team and continue to invest in progressive techniques to enhance our services.
• While working at Purple Wave, you will have the opportunity to help our mission of being the easiest, most straightforward place to buy and sell used equipment. 
• Purple Wave empowers its employees to solve problems effectively in a family-run business culture.
• We provide opportunities for continued education as you grow your career with tuition reimbursement. We have a generous benefits package in one of the fastest-growing companies in the area.

Purple Wave is looking for an enthusiastic person to join our growing team to support our customers as we bring our values of Trust, Team, Care and Passion to them. 

Purple Wave Auction Core Values:

• TRUST:  We are trustworthy…Our business depends upon our integrity and our customer’s ability to trust Purple Wave and its people:  to enforce a fair, transparent unreserved auction marketplace; to safeguard their bidding information; to give a full effort on behalf of their asset(s); We are transparent, accountable and fair.
• TEAM:  WE ARE A TEAM…We respect, support, appreciate and inspire each other; We communicate and follow-through; We need each other. We do our best work when we work together.
• CARE:  WE CARE…We care for our customers. We look out for their best interests. We work hard for them. We “go the extra mile”.
• PASSION:  WE ARE PASSIONATE…We are positive, we are enthusiastic, we take pride in our work, we own our responsibilities and we deliver; When we see problems, we fix them. We learn from our mistakes. We improve ourselves and Purple Wave every day; We believe Purple Wave can be the best marketplace for used equipment and we are committed to make it happen. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity is a Purple Wave, Inc. policy. It is our practice to select the best-qualified candidate for each position in the organization. No employee of the Company will discriminate against an applicant for employment or a fellow employee because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, or other physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. 

Notice of Background Check

As a condition of your employment, you will be required to sign the Company’s Authorization for Background Check, and to provide the Company with documents establishing your identity and right to work in the United States.

Join our growing $55M online auction services company with 400+ employees. As a subsidiary of a publicly traded company, we facilitate thousands of transactions daily, connecting buyers and sellers across multiple states while managing complex commission structures, payment processing systems and sales tax issues.

Purple Wave is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager to lead a 4 person team in a fast-paced, high-volume transaction environment. Reporting directly to the Controller, this hands-on leadership role combines team management with direct involvement in accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting while supporting our auction-specific business model. This role works closely with the Controller and partners across Sales, Customer Service, Product, and Technology, so success depends as much on collaborative, solution-oriented communication as it does on technical accounting skill. 

What Success Looks Like in This Role

Beyond the technical requirements, the person who thrives in this role will:

• Approach challenges with recommendations and potential solutions in mind.
• Stay open to feedback and adjust your approach as needed.
• Take ownership of outcomes across the function and follow through.
• Represent the Accounting Team professionally and independently in all situations, including with peers and senior leadership.
• Come with strong accounting and leadership fundamentals and a willingness to learn our systems and processes.

Responsibilities:

•  Daily Operations Management:

  • Oversee daily transaction processing for high-volume auction activities.

  • Directly supervise accounts payable and receivable activities, including procurement, seller settlements, and buyer collection reconciliations.

  • Ensure timely and accurate recording of revenue, fees, and related transactions.

  • Support current and future treasury relationships.

  • Facilitate the preparation of operational reporting to various stakeholders.

  • Evaluate general ledger feature updates and releases.

• Financial Reporting & Analysis:

  • Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing processes to meet deadlines.

  • Prepare financial statements, management reports, and variance analyses and present results to Controller and peers.

  • Personally handle complex journal entries and reconciliations.

  • Support Controller with budget preparation, forecasting, and financial planning activities.

  • Perform detailed analysis of key metrics and operational performance.

  • Maintain and improve cash flow models, analyzing trends and variances for enhanced forecasting accuracy.

  • In conjunction with the Controller, interpret, analyze and implement new accounting rules.

• Collaboration & Communication
  • Serve as a representative of the Accounting department in cross-functional and leadership meetings, communicating issues clearly and offering solutions where possible.
  • Partner with Controller on process and operational challenges, contributing ideas and alternatives along the way.

• Process Improvement & Systems: 

  • Identify and implement areas to streamline processes and maximize team efficiency.

  • Lead implementation of new accounting procedures and system enhancements.

  • Maintain documentation of accounting policies and procedures.

  • Support external audit processes and maintain and improve internal controls and regulatory compliance.

• Undertake additional assigned duties as requested.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise and develop a team of 4 accounting professionals; domestic, offshore and hybrid schedules, including Senior Staff Accountant, Accountants, interns, and specialized roles.

• Conduct performance evaluations, create development plans, provide coaching, and support general employee growth.

• Manage work assignments, priorities, and coverage during peak periods and staff absences.

• Foster cross-training initiatives to ensure operational continuity in a lean team environment.

• Lead by example with hands-on involvement in critical accounting processes.

• Model open, professional communication that encourages healthy feedback across the team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or team leadership capacity.

• Demonstrated expertise in month-end/quarter-end close processes and financial statement preparation.

• Advanced Excel proficiency, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and financial modeling.

• Hands-on experience with cloud-based accounting software (Sage Intacct, NetSuite, or similar).

• Strong knowledge of revenue recognition principles (ASC 606) and general ledger management.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to present financial information to leadership.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively across functions.

• Spanish speaking bi-lingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Candidates may be requested to complete position specific skills assessments.

• Applicants must be either a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.

• Requires the ability to satisfactorily complete a background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in high-volume transaction environments (e-commerce, auctions, marketplaces, or payment processing).

• CPA certification or progress toward certification.

• Proven track record building efficient accounting processes and optimizing team workflows

• Experience managing accounts payable, receivable, and treasury functions.

• Knowledge of internal controls and process optimization.

• Spanish bilingual capability.

• Familiarity with Google Workspace and collaboration tools.

Working Settings:

• Full-time Salaried Exempt, not eligible for overtime.

• Office hours are 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday, Central Time zone, additional hours may be required depending on priorities

• Based in the Purple Wave Satellite Office in Manhattan, KS (2627 KFB Plz #201e, Manhattan, KS  66503).

• Potential for 10% travel, should the need arise.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Compensation:

• The salary varies based on experience and qualifications, but typically ranges from $90,000 to $110,000 per year.

• Relocation Assistance Available.

• Monthly Bonus Program - determined by the Company’s monthly revenue result and are paid on a “percent to plan” payout formula (90% = $300, 100% = $600, 110% = $900, 120% = $1,200).

• Monthly phone stipend in accordance with the Company’s cell phone policy, currently $120/month.

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with an employer match up to 4% starting the first day of employment.

• Company-paid Life Insurance with options for supplemental coverage.

• Fully paid Short-Term Disability provided by the Company.

• 3 Weeks of PTO annually (details shared during onboarding).

• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) - Eligible to purchase company stock at a discount after 90 days of employment, with enrollment opportunities each May and November.