Accounting manager, GL - US

Watershed is the enterprise sustainability platform. Companies like Airbnb, Carlyle Group, FedEx, Visa, and Dr. Martens use Watershed to manage climate and ESG data, produce audit-ready metrics for voluntary and regulatory reporting including CSRD, and drive real decarbonization. We are looking for team members who love product-building, want to work hard at a mission-oriented startup, and will collaborate with us in shaping the culture of a growing team.

We have offices in San Francisco, New York, Denver, London, Paris, Berlin, Sydney, Mexico City, and remote team members across the US and Europe. We hope that you'll be interested in joining us!

Watershed is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager to own our global general ledger accounting, financial close, and audit preparation to support our rapid scale. This role will be responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, designing and implementing strong internal controls, and successfully executing full audit cycles.

As Accounting Manager, you'll be the engine behind our financial close process and the point person for audit execution and statutory compliance across all Watershed entities and geographies. You'll own complex technical accounting areas including lease accounting, equity transactions, and tax compliance, while building scalable processes and controls to support our ambitious growth trajectory. Working closely with our Technical Accounting team, external auditors, and cross-functional partners, you'll ensure our financial reporting is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.

This is an exceptional opportunity for someone who thrives in high-growth environments, loves building systems and processes from the ground up, and wants to make a meaningful impact on both our business and global climate action.

This position would be preferred to be located in one of our hubs in Mexico City, San Francisco or New York City, but we can also be open to US remote.

What You’ll Do

GL Management & Financial Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process end-to-end across all Watershed entities and geographies, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness

• Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and consolidated financial statements

• Manage the global general ledger, chart of accounts, and intercompany accounting

Audit, Technical Accounting & Compliance

• Serve as primary point person for external audits, preparing comprehensive documentation (PBC lists, workpapers, flowcharts, walkthroughs) and coordinating all audit activities

• Apply technical US GAAP guidance in key areas including lease accounting, equity transactions, revenue recognition, and fixed assets

• Take ownership of tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions and coordinate with external advisors

Process Innovation, Technology & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Act as a tech-forward accounting partner by identifying opportunities to automate tasks through ERP features, AI tools, or emerging technologies

• Actively experiment with AI tools, automation software, and ERP optimizations to accelerate reconciliations, close tasks, and reporting

• Identify bottlenecks in current processes and implement solutions - if something is manual and time-consuming, redesign or automate it

• Support ad-hoc projects such as system implementations, data quality enhancements, or technical accounting research

• Partner with Technical Accounting, FP&A, Legal, People, and Operations teams to support business initiatives and provide accounting guidance across the organization

What We’re Looking For

• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience in SaaS or tech companies, with demonstrated experience leading audit preparation and execution

• Deep proficiency in US GAAP with hands-on technical accounting experience

• Operational expertise: Strong experience with financial close and multi-entity/global GL management and accounting.

• Tech-savviness: Deep working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g. NetSuite, Workday, Rillet), advanced Excel/Google Sheets experience, and a proven track record of AI tool experimentation and leverage.

• Work style: Exceptional ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field. CPA or international equivalent (e.g. CA) required.

Nice to Have

• Big 4 accounting firm experience (in addition to industry experience)

• Proven experience building and scaling accounting in a high growth environment

• Experience with SOX compliance, IPO preparation and readiness, or SaaS metrics

• Experience building, managing and mentoring high performing, diverse teams that thrive in a fast paced environment

Must be willing to work from an office 4 days per week (except for remote roles)

Watershed has hub offices in San Francisco, New York, London, and Mexico City and satellite offices in Denver, Sydney, Paris, and Berlin. Where we have offices, employees are expected to be in office for 4 days per week. Certain jobs are open to being remote and will be specifically noted on the jobs page and in the job description if so.

What’s the interview process like?

It starts the same for every candidate: getting to know the team members through 1 to 2 conversations about Watershed, your experience, and your interests. Next steps can vary by role, but usual next steps are a skill or experience interview (e.g. a coding interview for an engineer, a portfolio review for a designer, deeper experience call for other roles) which leads to a virtual or in person interview panel. We prioritize transparency and lack of surprise throughout the process.

What if I need accommodations for my interview?

At Watershed, we are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. We provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, long-term conditions, mental health needs, religious observances, neurodivergence, or pregnancy-related support requirements. If you need assistance during your process, please contact your recruiter.