Accounting and Financial Outsourcing Manager - Equine

Dean Dorton · Lexington

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About Dean Dorton

Dean Dorton’s team makes up one of the largest advisory firms in the United States. We thrive when you thrive! We are here to help you succeed in every step of your development and career as you work with nationally recognized experts in a recognized best place to work. 

Our core values guide how we work, lead, and support one another every day. They are:

• Integrity - We do the right thing, integrity guides our decisions.
• Relationships - We value people, relationships drive our impact.
• Collaboration - We win as one team, collaboration fuels our success.
• Growth - We stay curious, growth is our mindset.

About Accounting and Financial Outsourcing (AFO)

Dean Dorton's outsourced accounting team serves as a critical component to the financial success of our clients. Our team partners with organizations to serve as their CFO, controller, and/or accounting team – allowing clients to focus on other key business processes integral to their success. By offering cloud-based and real-time financial data to our clients, we translate complex financial information into meaningful advice including visualizations of the precise metrics that matter to investors, lenders, executives, and department leaders. This provides our clients with the data they need to make quicker strategic business decisions with greater control over their cash flow.

About the Role

The Manager leads a portfolio of outsourced accounting engagements and serves in a controller capacity for Equine clients. This role is accountable for the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, the performance of engagement teams, and the overall client experience. The Manager applies a thorough understanding of each client’s business to guide financial decisions, strengthen accounting processes and controls, and address complex accounting matters. Working with Senior Managers and Directors, the Manager oversees engagement scope, staffing, and financial performance while developing team members and supporting the growth of the Equine practice.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The essential duties & responsibilities of the Manager role are outlined below in correlation with Dean Dorton’s performance management impact areas. 

Technical

Definition: your specialized knowledge & expertise associated with the work you perform for/with clients (note: clients may be internal to Dean Dorton).

• Lead the accounting and financial reporting function for assigned clients, overseeing month-end and year-end close processes, reconciliations, and financial statements in accordance with the applicable reporting framework.
• Review work prepared by Senior Consultants, Consultants, and Associates; resolve complex accounting issues and ensure deliverables meet firm quality standards before release, obtaining additional leadership review when needed.
• Apply Equine industry knowledge to horse farm operations, breeding and racing activities, sales, ownership structures, and related accounting and financial reporting requirements.
• Interpret financial results and lead client discussions on operating performance, cash flow, budgets, forecasts, and industry-relevant metrics; recommend actions that support client objectives.
• Evaluate internal controls and accounting workflows; implement improvements that strengthen reporting accuracy, efficiency, and the safeguarding of client assets.
• Oversee client onboarding and accounting system implementations, establishing reporting requirements, workflows, responsibilities, and a sustainable transition to ongoing service.
• Coordinate year-end accounting and tax-ready financial information with tax professionals and other advisors, ensuring issues are identified and addressed promptly.
• Manage engagement scope, timelines, staffing, and budgets; monitor work in process and realization, support timely billing and collections, and address scope changes with firm leadership and clients.

Behavioral

Definition: the behaviors associated with performing your job (interpersonal skills).

• Own day-to-day client relationships, set service expectations, and serve as the primary escalation point for engagement concerns; involve Senior Managers or Directors when appropriate.
• Plan and delegate work across engagement teams, balancing capacity, skill levels, and client deadlines; remain accountable for completion and quality.
• Provide timely, actionable review feedback and coaching; develop team members’ technical judgment, client communication, and ability to work independently.
• Address missed expectations and performance concerns promptly, partnering with Career Advisors and firm leadership on development needs and follow-through.
• Communicate financial information clearly to owners, executives, and other stakeholders, adapting recommendations to their business needs and level of financial understanding.
• Exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and raise accounting risks, client concerns, and resource constraints early with proposed solutions.
• Model accountability and collaboration, meet productivity and client service expectations, and guide teams through changing priorities and process improvements.

Non-Charge

Definition: the contribution you make to Dean Dorton outside of client work.

• Provide guidance and training to AFO team members on technical skills, accounting software programs, and industry-specific knowledge.
• Champion software and technology initiatives within the outsourced accounting team, leading training sessions and process improvements.
• Obtain a baseline understanding of the firm’s services and collaboration with other service groups to provide effective client service and observe opportunities for multi-service projects. 
• Participate in firm-sponsored events and activities.   
• Participate in team and firm non-charge activities of interest, such as:   
• Recruiting activities, including interviewing and evaluating candidates.  
• Evaluating and developing internal processes, procedures, and guidelines.  
• Contributing to the development of training materials and leading training sessions.  
• Joining an internal committee or initiative.    
• Serving as a Career Advisor for AFO team members.    
• Assisting in business development efforts, including attending industry events, networking with potential clients, and promoting the firm's services.  

Requirements

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, required in accounting, finance, business, or related field.  
• Six or more years of experience in accounting or finance role. Preferrable experience as an Assistant Controller or Controller.
• Prior accounting experience working within the Equine industry clients or businesses preferred, including horse farms, breeding or racing operations, sales companies, or related ownership structures.
• Proficiency in accounting software programs and tools (e.g., Bill.com, Sage Intacct, etc.) may be required.
• Average schedule is 42-45 hours per week, with a minimum requirement of 2,200 hours per year
• Understanding of serving clients across the United States and internationally, including flexibility to accommodate client needs across time zones, such as clients located in the Pacific Time Zone.
• This is an in-office position based out of the Lexington, KY office, with a minimum expectation of three days in office per week after the first year of employment.

Software & Tools

• CaseWare 

• Sage Intacct 
• QuickBooks 
• Expensify 
• BILL
• Yearli 
• BILL Spend and Expense
• Floqast 
• Adobe 
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) 
• 1Password
• Sharepoint

Benefits

The Fun Stuff  

Work isn’t all work! We want to make your experience at Dean Dorton a great one. From your health and happiness to your long-term satisfaction, we focus on YOU! A few highlights are listed below: 

• Flexible work schedules and environment
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid family leave, medical leave, and maternity/paternity leave programs
• Retirement benefits, including a best-in-class employer match and automatic profit sharing.
• Telemedicine, mental health resources and wellness program reimbursement

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by team members assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Additionally, responsibilities and duties may vary depending on business needs and individual circumstances.

Dean Dorton is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to growing and empowering an inclusive community within Dean Dorton and our industry which is why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of the best and brightest from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives across the organization. We welcome anyone of any race, religion, color, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, ancestry, handicap, medical condition, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation or gender.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies, recruiters, or search firms. Any resumes or candidate information submitted without a current, signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited, become the property of the company, and will not obligate the company to pay any fees or commissions.

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