Accounting Team Manager

Do you thrive in environments where systems, workflows, and people all come together? Are you energized by coaching a team and driving operational excellence from the inside out? This is a Full Time position with the option of working Remote or Onsite (if local to Wilmington, DE) About Us: Breakwater Accounting & Advisory provides outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services to businesses and nonprofit organizations across the U.S. We embrace technology to work smarter, not harder, and aim to deliver value-added service to every client. We are a Woman-Lead company, rated a Top Workplace by the Delaware News Journal for four years in a row and featured on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. Our Philosophy: Great people first, technology-forward thinking second – with just the right combination. At Breakwater, we offer a flexible, positive, and energetic workplace where teamwork and initiative are highly valued. Our culture thrives on positivity and a customer service-oriented focus. All of our team members are guided by Breakwater's Core Principles. We are: proactive, positive, purposeful, protective, prepared, and principled. Key Responsibilities of the Role: At Breakwater, our Pod Leaders play a vital role in delivering high-quality accounting services while developing a team of dedicated professionals. This is a people-first leadership position, focused on client service, staff development, and operational excellence. Team Leadership (Approximately 40% of Role) • Coaching & Development: Provide mentorship and support to a small team of accountants/bookkeepers. Offer direct, constructive feedback and encourage professional growth. • Performance Management: Lead regular performance check-ins and ensure team members meet KPIs and standards. • Culture & Retention: Foster a positive, accountable environment that supports an 85%+ staff eNPS and 90% retention of key team members. • Career Tracking: Support and track promotions and professional growth within the pod. Client Work (Approximately 60% of Role) • Account Ownership: Directly manage a portion of clients, ensuring service quality and building trusted relationships. • Financial Reporting: Oversee and contribute to financial account activity, including classifications, reconciliations, and month-end entries. • Client Communication: Regularly discuss financial results and advise on improvements. • Team Coordination: Partner with specialists and associates to delegate appropriately and maintain quality standards. • Oversight & Delivery: Ensure timely, accurate services for all clients in your pod, in alignment with agreements. • Client Relationships: Proactively manage communications and maintain long-term, high-satisfaction partnerships. • Scope & Quality Assurance: Monitor pricing, scope, and workflow efficiency. Raise concerns and discuss scope adjustments with leadership at least quarterly. • Retention: Maintain a client retention rate of 98% or higher for your assigned clients. Who are You? A team-first, detail-savvy leader who can coach, manage, and elevate a group of accountants and bookkeepers while championing workflow efficiency and high-quality delivery across the company. Qualifications: • 8+ years of experience in bookkeeping/accounting; multi-client experience strongly preferred • Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks Online and other cloud-based tools • Prior experience coaching or managing accounting professionals • Deep understanding of financial reporting workflows and accounting operations • Ability to drive accountability, performance, and process improvement • Excellent organizational and communication skills • A proactive, tech-forward mindset and a collaborative approach to leadership What would we offer you?: • A base salary of $70,000-90,000 • FIVE WEEKS of PTO on top of company-observed holidays • Health, vision, and dental benefits • We'll help you save for your golden years with a 401K company match • A supportive, friendly, fun culture that fundamentally values work/life balance Breakwater Accounting + Advisory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Apply tot his job