Senior Accountant

About the Role K&L Wine Merchants is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant to serve as a cornerstone of our finance function. This role goes beyond transactional accounting — you will own key areas of the general ledger, drive month-end close, support financial reporting, and help elevate the overall quality and controls of our accounting operations. You will work closely with the Controller and senior finance leadership and will be expected to bring both technical depth and strategic thinking to the team. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in GAAP accounting, experience managing complex reconciliations across multiple entities, and the judgment to identify issues, propose solutions, and see them through to resolution independently. Key Responsibilities General Ledger & Financial Close • Support the full month-end and year-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate completion across all entities • Prepare, review, and post complex journal entries including accruals, prepaid amortization, intercompany transactions, and expense allocations • Perform and review balance sheet reconciliations with a high degree of rigor, identifying and resolving variances • Maintain and continuously improve the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, and supporting documentation • Support the preparation of monthly financial statements and management reports for senior leadership Accounts Payable Management • Full ownership of AP cycle from invoice processing to payment execution; • Lead vendor management, communication, statement reconciliations, credit applications, etc. • Review and execute payment transactions processed across check, ACH, wire, and automated platforms and support cashflow planning • Ensure accurate GL coding, proper approvals, and audit-ready documentation across all AP activity • Drive accurate and appropriate location and departmental coding and expense allocations in line with budgets; support variance analysis as necessary • Oversee monthly credit card reconciliations and expense report reviews, ensuring policy compliance and accurate posting • Manage annual 1099 preparation, filing, and vendor compliance processes Internal Controls & Compliance • Identify gaps in existing processes and controls, and proactively recommend and implement improvements • Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal accounting policies across all areas of responsibility • Maintain audit-ready workpapers and documentation; support information needs from for external auditors and tax advisors • Support the development and enforcement of accounting policies and procedures Systems & Process Improvement • Serve as a power user of QuickBooks Desktop and AP automation platforms (e.g., Tipalti, Bill.com, Expensify), identifying opportunities to streamline workflows • Build and maintain Excel-based tools, models, and automation (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, macros) to improve efficiency and reporting accuracy • Contribute to systems evaluation and implementation projects as the finance team scales Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner with the Controller and Finance leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and special projects • Serve as a resource and informal mentor to junior accounting staff • Collaborate with operations, procurement, and other departments to resolve accounting issues and ensure accurate financial capture Qualifications Required • 5–8 years of progressive accounting experience, including meaningful time in a senior or lead role • Deep proficiency in QuickBooks (Desktop), including GL management, multi-entity reporting, and advanced transaction workflows • Advanced Excel skills — pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, INDEX/MATCH, etc. for automating accounting and reconciliation workflows • Solid command of GAAP, including accrual accounting, revenue recognition principles, and balance sheet management • Demonstrated ability to support and manage month-end close processes with minimal oversight • Experience with AP automation platforms such as Tipalti, Bill.com, or similar • Strong judgment and the ability to identify, escalate, and resolve issues independently • Attention to detail/accuracy and the ability to manage multiple special projects in addition to weekly and monthly workflows Preferred • Experience in the beverage, alcohol, retail, or distribution industry • Familiarity with foreign currency (FX) accounting, including multi-currency invoicing, exchange rate application, and FX gain/loss recording • Experience supporting external audits and working directly with auditors or tax advisors • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA license optional but preferred What We're Looking For The right person for this role doesn't just close the books — they own them. You bring the experience to work independently on complex accounting matters, the communication skills to keep leadership informed, and the instinct to spot problems before they become errors. You're someone who takes pride in clean financials, thrives in a dynamic environment, and is genuinely excited to help build something. This is a high-visibility role with a direct line to finance leadership and real opportunity to shape how our accounting function evolves as the company grows. Compensation & Benefits • Salary range: $110,000 – $135,000 commensurate with experience • Performance-based bonus eligibility • Medical, dental, and vision insurance • 401(k) plan • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Hybrid remote — Northern California (in-office and remote schedule)