Sr. Manager, Accounting

• Onsite in the Atlanta, GA office - hybrid

Senior Accounting Manager

Department: Accounting, Potbelly

Location: Atlanta (on-site)

Reports To: Executive Director, Controller - Potbelly

FLSA Status: Exempt

General Description

Potbelly is seeking a Senior Accounting Manager to lead core general ledger close and revenue accounting oversight functions. This role is responsible for ensuring timely, accurate financial reporting while driving continuous process improvement, strengthening accrual discipline, and maintaining a strong control environment.

The Senior Accounting Manager directly oversees the Revenue Accounting Manager and has direct responsibility for payroll accounting activities. This role provides leadership across revenue and payroll accounting processes, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who operates autonomously, maintains high attention to detail, and partners effectively across Finance and Operations. This role balances hands-on execution with strategic oversight and team leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop the Revenue Accounting Manager, providing guidance, performance feedback, and development support.
• Oversee payroll accounting activities, including review of journal entries and reconciliations.
• Establish clear accountability across revenue and payroll accounting functions.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality output.
• Help prioritize work and allocate responsibilities across the team to ensure efficient close execution.
• Lead assigned areas of the monthly close process, including preparation and review of journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Oversee revenue accounting processes to ensure completeness, accuracy, and consistency across reporting periods.
• Drive accuracy and consistency in revenue recognition and related accruals.
• Strengthen accrual discipline and improve forecasting support for owned accounts.
• Ensure clear documentation and strong support for all accounting conclusions.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce manual work, and enhance accuracy across revenue and payroll accounting.
• Improve reconciliation rigor and documentation standards across assigned accounts.
• Partner with internal and external auditors, providing documentation and explanations as needed.
• Escalate complex or highly technical accounting matters as appropriate while confidently addressing technical issues within assigned areas.
• Collaborate with FP&A, Operations, IT, and other stakeholders to improve data integrity and reporting.
• Support system enhancements, workflow improvements, and accounting system optimization initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts across the accounting function.
• Assist with ad hoc projects, as necessary.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Strong understanding of general ledger accounting and close processes
• Demonstrated experience leading or reviewing revenue-related accounting processes
• Experience managing or developing accounting professionals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail and ability to operate independently

Preferred

• Restaurant or multi-unit retail experience
• Experience with NetSuite or Workday
• Experience participating in accounting system implementations
• Experience working with Power BI or other reporting tools
• CPA or CPA eligibility
• Public accounting experience

Core Competencies

• Strong communicator who can clearly explain financial results and issues across stakeholders
• Autonomous and accountable with ownership mindset
• Detail-oriented with high standards for accuracy
• Process-improvement oriented
• Builds strong team capability through coaching, review, and mentorship
• Able to balance hands-on work with strategic oversight responsibilities

At Potbelly, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and strengths. We believe that inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect enhance the way we serve our customers and work together as a team. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

We're an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by [6/30/2026] to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.

Company: Potbelly Corporate

Position: Sr. Manager, Accounting

Status: Full Time

Shift: First (Day)

Req #: 10952058

Date Posted: March 24, 2026

Location: Chicago , Chicago,
US,
IL,
60611

Job Category: Corporate