Lead Accounting Associate

Welcome to Whataburger Careers!

Our Flavor — Why Whataburger

Whataburger isn’t just a fast-food burger chain it is where bold leadership starts — and where potential doesn’t just grow, it heats up. Whether you're leading the line or working behind the scenes, this is the place where opportunities stack up, and every day gives you a chance to Make a Difference.

Since 1950, we’ve invested in people who lead with integrity, Serve with Heart, and bring their best flavor to the team. We believe in working together, speaking up, having a little fun, and Winning as One — because great burgers (and great teams) start with the right ingredients. If you're ready — to learn, grow, impact, and Move Forward Boldly — we’ve got your back and your path cooked to perfection.

Your Recipe for Impact — What You’ll Do

As a Lead Accounting Associate, you'll help drive the effectiveness of Whataburger's travel and expense reporting processes by ensuring accurate expense tracking, supporting compliance, and enhancing system performance. You'll serve as a trusted resource for Family Members, vendors, and business partners while identifying opportunities to improve processes and reporting. Through your work, you'll Make a Difference by supporting sound financial decisions, Serve with Heart by delivering exceptional service and guidance, Win as One through collaboration across departments, and Move Forward Boldly by recommending and implementing improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and accountability.

Day-to-Day Ingredients — Responsibilities

As a Lead Accounting Associate, you will:

• Monitor and analyze travel and expense activity
• Identify spending trends, risks, and cost-saving opportunities
• Prepare expense reports and insights for leadership
• Audit expense transactions for accuracy and policy compliance
• Support internal and external audit requests
• Troubleshoot expense system issues and user inquiries
• Train employees on expense reporting processes and tools
• Maintain and update expense policy resources
• Recommend and implement process improvements
• Partner with departments, vendors, and stakeholders to optimize workflows
• Research regulatory and industry changes impacting expense management
• Support special projects and other duties as assigned

The Sauce — Pay & Perks

As a Lead Accounting Associate, you will receive:

• Competitive Weekly Pay
• Bonus Program that scales up to 2.5X payout potential based on company results
• 5 weeks PTO
• Flex Weeks
• Paid Corporate Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave*
• 401(k) match $1/$1 up to 4%
• Competitive Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits*
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Benefits*
• Opportunities for Career Development and Growth
• Whataburger Family Foundation - Scholarship Program (dependents eligible) and Hardship Grant Assistance
• Discounted Meals for You and a Guest
• Wireless Service Discounts
• Computer & Software Discounts
• Fitness / Gym Discounts
• Awards and recognition for all you do
• Retirement Celebration Program

What You Bring to the Table — Required Experience

As a Lead Accounting Associate, you must have: 

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience
• Experience managing multiple administrative responsibilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Outlook
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to build effective working relationships across teams
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment

Extra Toppings — Desired Experience

As a Lead Accounting Associate, we prefer you to have: 

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field
• Experience with travel and expense management systems
• Experience auditing expense reports or financial transactions
• Experience supporting process improvement initiatives
• Experience creating reports and analyzing financial data
• Experience developing training materials or conducting user training
• Knowledge of JD Edwards or similar ERP systems
• Knowledge of corporate expense policies and compliance requirements

Where & How You’ll Work

This role is based at the San Antonio Home Office, working on‑site Monday through Thursday with remote flexibility on Fridays. In this role, you’ll have strong collaboration with leadership, across cross-functional teams, and with external partners to align capabilities with restaurant realities. The work environment is fast‑paced and requires sound judgment, strategic thinking, and strong collaboration skills. Full‑time availability is required, with occasional extended hours based on business needs, along with occasional travel to properties, project sites, and external meetings. Candidates must reside within commuting distance of the San Antonio Home Office.

Whataburger is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, age, or other condition or status protected by law. Whataburger participates in the federal E-Verify Program. For more information go to www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

*Eligibility rules may apply