Position Overview: Accounting Manager

Recruiting Partner: Culinaire Staffing

Employment Type: Full-Time (Salaried, Exempt)

Location: Costa Mesa, CA 

Compensation Range: $130,000.00 annually

About the Opportunity

Culinaire Staffing has been retained to identify an experienced, detail-oriented, and operationally sharp Accounting Manager for a premier hospitality client based in Orange County. Known for iconic dining destinations and premier event spaces, this established restaurant group manages a renowned portfolio celebrated for culinary excellence and guest acclaim.

In this pivotal leadership role, you will own the financial reporting processes, ensure strict GAAP compliance across restaurant and development entities, and act as a trusted financial partner to operations and executive leadership. You will oversee the month-end close, mentor accounting professionals, and drive process efficiencies utilizing modern tools and automated workflows.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close against a published close calendar, tracking and communicating any schedule variances.

• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring prompt resolution of reconciling items.

• Review monthly financial statements and supporting schedules, delivering comprehensive flux analyses that explain key drivers to management.

• Prepare annual audited financial statements, including statements of cash flows and footnote disclosures.

• Manage lender reporting, including debt covenant calculations and compliance certificates.

• Lead the annual financial statement audit and coordinate requests from auditors, tax advisors, and other external parties.

Technical Accounting & Policy

• Research, conclude on, and document non-routine transactions in clear, well-supported technical memos.

• Maintain and update the accounting policy manual and close procedures as professional standards and business needs evolve.

• Monitor new FASB standards, assess their organizational impact, and lead adoption strategies.

• Design and monitor internal controls that safeguard assets and support accurate financial reporting.

Restaurant & Development Accounting

• Oversee lease accounting (ASC 842): maintain ROU assets and lease liabilities, and account for new leases, modifications, renewals, tenant improvement allowances, and percentage rent.

• Manage accounting for new restaurant development, including capitalization versus pre-opening expenses, construction-in-progress, capitalized interest, and asset placement.

• Handle long-lived asset accounting, including restaurant-level impairment testing, closures, remodels, and asset retirement obligations.

• Manage intercompany activity and consolidation of development and property entities, alongside reserves and estimates such as self-insurance and legal accruals.

Operations Support & Financial Analysis

• Monitor food, beverage, labor, and operating costs, quickly flagging trends and variances.

• Partner with Operations leadership to analyze restaurant performance and improve profitability.

• Support inventory accounting, cost analysis, and margin reviews.

• Translate financial variances and accruals into plain, non-technical terms for restaurant general managers.

Team Leadership & AP Oversight

• Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting team members, including the AP Supervisor, Senior Accountant, and Staff Accountant.

• Oversee accounts payable operations, reviewing and approving select vendor payments for proper coding and authorization.

• Automate manual processes and strengthen internal controls using Restaurant365 and modern software tools for analysis and workflows.

Core Qualifications

• Experience: 5 to 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including hands-on ownership of the month-end close.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.

• Industry Background: Demonstrated experience working within restaurant, hospitality, or multi-unit operating environments.

• Technical Proficiency: Strong US GAAP knowledge (including ASC 842), advanced Excel proficiency (pivot tables, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH), familiarity with BI tools, and experience with Restaurant365 (or similar GL/AP systems).

• Credentials: CPA is a plus; public accounting or audit experience is strongly preferred.

• Skills: Excellent analytical skills, ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines, strong cross-functional communication abilities, and high professional integrity.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Competitive base salary of $130,000.00 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus vacation pay

• Lifestyle Spending Account to support gym memberships, childcare, groceries, student loans, and more

• Weekly catered lunches on-site (Monday through Wednesday)

• Monthly company dining allowance across portfolio restaurants

• 401(k) with annual employer match after 12 months

• Employer-paid life insurance throughout employment

• Paid holidays for 10 major holidays

• Education Assistance Program (EdAP) for hospitality-related educational growth

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support work-life balance