Finance and Accounting Manager

Summary 

Axle is seeking an experienced Finance & Accounting Manager to build, lead, and scale a best-in-class finance and accounting function and support portfolio management initiatives. This role owns Axle’s core accounting operations and financial reporting, while also overseeing financial forecasting, valuation, and performance analysis across our portfolio companies. You will be responsible for establishing and maintaining scalable accounting processes, consolidating and analyzing financial results, designing KPI frameworks and dashboards, supporting valuation efforts, and delivering clear, actionable insights to Axle’s leadership team.

This is a unique opportunity to build and shape a finance and accounting structure with a new mission and perspective, and one that is actively investing in and operating multiple businesses. The Finance & Accounting Manager will play a critical role in driving company growth and long-term value creation, operating an investor/operator mindset displayed through managing accounting activities but building a scalable, performance-driven finance organization. This role requires the ability to work out of our St. Petersburg, FL office five days per week.  

Key Responsibilities 

Finance & Accounting Leadership

• Own day-to-day accounting operations, including AP, AR, payroll, general ledger, and financial reporting

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with speed, accuracy, and consistency

• Ensure compliance with GAAP, SOX-aligned controls, and applicable tax and regulatory requirements

• Establish, document, and maintain strong internal controls to mitigate financial and operational risk

Process, Controls & Performance Management

• Design and implement institutional-grade accounting processes, controls, and documentation to support growth, oversight, and complex financial activity

• Build standardized reporting frameworks to support performance monitoring and executive decision-making

• Track and report key financial and operational KPIs, including close cycle time, reporting timeliness, billing accuracy, cash flow, and error rates

• Drive process standardization, automation, and continuous improvement across finance operations

• Manage internal and external audits and ensure continuous audit readiness

Portfolio, Valuation & Transactional Support

• Oversee fund and investment-related accounting activities, including tracking capital activity, distributions, and investor reporting

• Monitor the financial health, cash flow, and operating performance of acquired or invested entities

• Support valuation and performance reporting, including fair value analysis and ongoing investment performance tracking

• Provide transactional support for acquisitions and exits, including financial due diligence, integration, and separation activities

• Partner on restructuring, efficiency initiatives, and value-creation efforts that extend beyond traditional accounting

Team Building & Development

• Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing finance and accounting team

• Set clear goals, KPIs, and accountability across the team

• Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and coaching

• Foster a culture of ownership, accuracy, and continuous improvement

Systems & Technology

• Oversee financial systems and tools (e.g., Business Central, Deltek, QuickBooks, and others)

• Lead adoption of new systems, tools, and automation initiatives

• Ensure data integrity, security, and scalability as the organization grows

Strategic Partnership

• Partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis

• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights to support decision-making

• Support strategic initiatives including acquisitions, integrations, cost optimization, and operational scaling

• Act as a key liaison between finance and cross-functional teams, including HR, growth, contracts, and other finance functions

Qualifications and Skills 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (required) 

• Private Equity accounting experience (required) 

• CPA, CMA, or MBA (preferred) 

• 5+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience 

• 3+ years in a people management or leadership role 

• Experience building or scaling accounting functions 

• Strong knowledge of accounting operations, internal controls, and compliance 

• ERP and financial systems experience 

• Hands-on, ownership-driven leader comfortable in fast-paced environments 

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills  

If you are passionate about continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment, constantly assessing the status quo, seeing opportunities for improvement, optimizing, and providing constructive solutions to simplify and accelerate current initiatives and processes, this role may be a good fit for you.

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