Accounting Manager - Restaurant & Retail - San Leandro, CA

WHO WE ARE

At Ghirardelli, we're on a mission to become a one billion dollar brand and beyond. We want to be every consumer's first choice of premium chocolate, and we believe we can do that through our products and the way we do business, which are all inspired by our brand commitment to Making Life A Bite Better. We are a company committed to both personal and professional growth and believe that each employee contributes directly to Ghirardelli's growth and success.

The Accounting Manager is a strategic, hands-on role responsible for overseeing the month-end close, financial reporting, and reconciliation processes for retail store and E-Commerce operations. This position ensures the accuracy and integrity of sales, inventory, COGS, and store-level expenses, partnering closely with operations, finance, and cross-functional business teams.

The ideal candidate brings strong analytical and organizational skills, deep knowledge of GAAP, and proven experience in multi-unit retail or restaurant environments. A focus on process improvement, operational efficiency, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growing organization are essential for success.

In addition to internal financial responsibilities, this role manages external reporting requirements for government agencies and business partners, prepares audit schedules, and serves as a key contact for auditors. The Accounting Manager must demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, effective prioritization, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.

This position reports directly to the Senior Finance Manager, Retail Division and plays a critical role in supporting the financial health and operational success of the business.

• Manage and lead all aspects of the monthly close process, including cross-functional coordination with store, E-Commerce, and departmental teams to meet reporting deadlines and information requirements for 19 store locations and E-commerce operations
• Prepare, review, and upload journal entries with sound calculation methodology and complete supporting documentation
• Analyze financial results, investigate variances, and deliver clear, detailed reporting to support decision-making
• Oversee and prepare account reconciliations across all accounting cycles (e.g., cash, bank, AP, accruals), ensuring accuracy, completeness, and analytical insight into balances
• Maintain ownership of the company's store lease obligations, including accounting, compliance, and reporting activities
• Serve as primary point of contact for accounting inquiries related to store operations - collaborating with vendors, municipalities, and cross-functional teams to resolve billing, reporting, or compliance issues
• Oversee the SAP accounting system and its integration with the POS platform; evaluate and enhance accounting workflows to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with internal control policies, taxes, GAAP, audits
• Support the Senior Retail Finance Manager with special projects and prepare ad-hoc reports and schedules as needed
• Identify, recommend, and implement best practices to improve accounting processes and operational efficiency

• BA/BS in Accounting, Finance or related discipline.
• 5-7 years of related experience and/or training.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in Retail and Restaurant accounting is highly preferred.
• Demonstrates strong ownership of responsibilities and a continuous drive for process improvement.
• Ability to work independently and to interface with all levels of the organization.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines, especially during month-end and year-end closings
• Experience with sales/use tax reporting.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably with SAP S/4 Hana and Retail SAP.

Some examples of working conditions:

• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Required to regularly sit
• Must be able to work seated or standing for at least 8 hours
• Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detail
• Works in a normal office environment

Salary: $115461 to $150000 / year