Director of Accounting & Tax

Overview

The organization is seeking a Director of Accounting & Tax to lead senior accounting and tax functions and report to the Sr. Director of Finance. This role will oversee accounting for SG&A, royalties, standard costing, and customer discounts and allowances, manage balance sheet accruals, and own tax reporting and forecasting, as well as the accounting close and internal controls. The Director of Accounting & Tax will support growth across domestic and international distribution channels in a seasonal wholesale apparel environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role focused on scalable processes, audit-ready and tax-ready books, and trusted partnership with Finance leadership.

Responsibilities

Core Accounting Focus Areas & Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, delivering accurate and timely results against a defined close calendar
• Own SG&A accounting, including expense accruals, allocations, and monthly variance analysis against budget, forecast, and prior year
• Oversee balance sheet accruals and reserves, account reconciliations, and journal entries, ensuring every balance sheet account is substantiated and reviewed each period
• Own standard costing, including annual cost rolls, standard cost maintenance, purchase price and production variance analysis, landed cost, inventory reserves, and cost of goods sold analysis
• Own accounting for customer discounts and allowances, including markdowns, co-op advertising, chargebacks, returns, and rebate programs, ensuring accurate reserves and gross-to-net revenue reporting
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash application functions with strong controls and timely processing

Financial Reporting & Controls

• Oversee preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP
• Design, maintain, and test a robust internal control environment, including documented accounting policies, procedures, and segregation of duties
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the annual financial statement audit; manage audit preparation, PBC requests, and resolution of findings
• Research and document technical accounting matters (e.g., revenue recognition, leases, inventory) and drive continuous improvement of accounting systems and processes
• Own royalty and licensing accounting across the company’s brand and collegiate licensing agreements, including royalty accruals, minimum guarantee tracking, licensor reporting, and royalty audits
• Lead consolidation, intercompany accounting, and standardization of financial reporting, systems, and processes across business units and legacy entities

Tax Reporting, Forecasting & Compliance

• Oversee federal, state, and local income tax compliance, including coordination with external tax advisors on return preparation and filing
• Manage multi-state sales and use tax compliance, nexus analysis, exemption certificate management, and audit defense
• Own tax reporting, including the income tax provision (ASC 740), deferred tax accounting, and estimated tax payments
• Own tax forecasting, including effective tax rate and cash tax projections, and partner with FP&A to build tax into the annual budget and periodic forecasts
• Manage property, franchise, and other indirect tax filings, as well as 1099 and other information reporting

Tax Planning & Risk Management

• Identify and evaluate tax planning opportunities, including entity structure, credits and incentives, and cash tax optimization
• Partner with supply chain and logistics teams on customs, duties, tariff classification, and import compliance, in coordination with external advisors
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess their impact on the company’s tax position and reporting
• Support tax due diligence and structuring for acquisitions, financings, and other strategic transactions

Leadership & Team Development

• Foster a culture of analytical rigor, integrity, and continuous improvement within the accounting and tax function
• Partner with FP&A, operations, and business unit leaders to provide reliable accounting data and support decision-making
• Present financial results, key accounting matters, and tax updates to the Sr. Director of Finance and other key stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA required; Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation (MAcc / MST) a plus
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and tax experience, with 3+ years in an accounting leadership role (Director, Controller, Sr. Manager, or equivalent); public accounting experience preferred
• Prior experience in wholesale, consumer goods, retail, or apparel industries
• Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and management of the full close process
• Strong working knowledge of federal and multi-state income tax, sales and use tax, ASC 740 income tax accounting, and tax forecasting
• Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, landed cost, and import duty and customs accounting
• Hands-on experience with SG&A accounting, customer discounts and allowances (gross-to-net), and balance sheet accrual management
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP) and BI / reporting tools
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, and influence cross-functional partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with a company generating $100M+ in annual wholesale revenue
• Background in private equity-backed or investor-owned businesses
• Familiarity with international sourcing, transfer pricing, and multi-currency accounting
• Experience supporting audits, tax diligence, or integration during a financing event, acquisition, or strategic sale
• Experience implementing or optimizing close management or sales tax automation tools (e.g., FloQast, BlackLine, Avalara)
• Experience with licensed or brand-royalty business models (e.g., collegiate licensing, professional sports, or third-party brand licenses) a plus but not required

Compensation & Benefits

• Not specified in the job description.

Location

• Lenexa, Kansas

Equal Opportunity & Workplace Details

• EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required; other duties may be assigned as needed.
• Drug-free workplace with pre-employment substance abuse testing; participation in E-Verify.