Senior Accountant

We are Coastal PoolsCoastal Pools is one of the area’s leading custom pool builders, dedicated to making an impact and creating an extraordinary experience for our customers by building quality pools and providing exceptional customer service, giving back to the communities in which we work and live in, and fostering a culture of opportunity and growth for our Associates throughout their career. Coastal Pools has been recognized as 2025 Best of Annapolis and Eastern Shore and consistently ranked among the top Pool Builders in the area.  Build Your Future with Us We’re seeking a Senior Accountant to bridge day-to-day operations and strategic oversight in support of the Director of Finance. This high-impact role offers strong growth potential as the company scales and the finance team continue to expand.   The Senior Accountant will lead advanced accounting functions, including sales and use tax compliance, project cost analysis, and accurate financial reporting. Responsibilities include mentoring and developing junior team members as the department grows, supporting cross-department collaboration, and driving process improvements in a fast-paced, project-based environment. Experience with retainage is a plus.   Responsibilities Lead full-cycle accounting processes, including preparation and review of monthly financial statements, general ledger management, account reconciliations, and accruals in compliance with GAAP. Oversee job costing for pool construction projects, including accurate tracking of labor, materials, subcontractor costs, overhead allocation, progress billing, change orders, and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition. Manage accounts payable and receivable functions, ensuring timely vendor payments, customer invoicing, collections, and lien waiver compliance specific to construction contracts. Handle sales and use tax compliance: Calculate, accrue, prepare, and file monthly/quarterly sales and use tax returns for materials, equipment, and taxable services; navigate jurisdiction-specific rules (e.g., exemptions for materials incorporated into real property vs. taxable installations); ensure proper application on purchases and sales; and support tax audits with documentation. Support retainage-related activities as needed. Perform detailed financial analysis, including variance analysis on project budgets vs. actuals, cash flow forecasting (accounting for seasonal pool industry fluctuations), and profitability reporting by job or service line to identify trends and cost-saving opportunities. Assist in month-end and year-end closing processes, including preparing schedules, journal entries, and supporting documentation for external audits and tax preparations. Act as primary contact for external audit and tax professionals.  Develop and maintain internal controls, standardized procedures, and documentation (including for sales/use tax and occasional retainage handling) to support department growth and audit readiness. Collaborate with project managers, operations, and sales teams to gather data for accurate job costing, budgeting, and financial insights on ongoing and upcoming pool projects. Mentor and supervise junior accounting staff (e.g., Accounting Clerk), review their work for accuracy, and contribute to their professional development. Identify and implement process optimizations, such as enhancing accounting software workflows for automated tax calculations or improving reporting templates. Prepare ad-hoc reports, financial models, and forecasts to support strategic decisions, including cash management impacted by tax obligations. Ensure overall compliance with relevant regulations, including sales/use tax on materials/services, payroll taxes, and construction-specific requirements (e.g., progress billing).   Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; Master's degree or CPA certification preferred. 4-7 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role; direct experience in construction, contracting, or project-based industries required, particularly with sales tax/use tax compliance. In-depth knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and construction accounting practices (e.g., job costing, WIP schedules, revenue recognition under ASC 606 or percentage-of-completion, sales/use tax nuances in construction). Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, or similar ERP systems) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, financial modeling); experience with tax filing software or modules a plus. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, growing environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with non-finance teams and mentoring staff. Proactive mindset with a focus on process improvement, adaptability to evolving department needs, and strong potential for leadership growth into a Controller role. Familiarity with construction-specific challenges (e.g., seasonal cash flow, subcontractor management, material cost volatility, multi-jurisdiction sales/use tax) is highly desirable.   What We Offer Competitive salary based on experience starts at $80,000 annually, depending on qualifications. Performance-based bonuses tied to company and department goals. Comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, retirement plans with matching, and paid time off. A high-impact role in a growing company with opportunities as the finance team expands and the department matures. Collaborative environment focused on innovation, efficiency, and long-term success in the pool construction and service sector.   This position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated accountant with construction expertise to make a tangible impact on our company's financial foundation, grow into a leadership role, and advance professionally in a supportive, evolving organization.