Senior Accountant

Job Purpose

SXSW is seeking a Senior Accountant who plays a key role in ensuring timely and accurate support for month‑end close, sales tax compliance, audit support, and financial reporting while also playing a hands‑on role in accounts receivable operations throughout the year—especially during peak event cycles.

• Lead and support the monthly and year‑end close processes
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial schedules
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data in accordance with GAAP
• Support internal reporting and variance analysis

• Review sales and expense invoices for sales and use tax in accordance with Texas Comptroller rules and regulations
• Stay current on tax policies and partner with external advisors as needed
• Lead internal audits regularly

• Support external audits and internal reviews
• Prepare audit schedules and provide supporting documentation
• Assist in maintaining and improving internal controls

• Review AR contracts, process customer invoicing, billing, and apply payments
• Monitor AR aging reports and follow up on outstanding balances weekly
• Apply and reconcile customer payments (ACH, wire, checks) daily
• Research and resolve billing discrepancies in collaboration with internal teams and customers
• Maintain and set up accurate customer account records in customer portals
• Ensure timely collections, especially leading up to event deadlines
• Maintain a friendly collections demeanor to preserve key customer relationships

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred
• Familiarity with standard accounts receivable practices and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality when working with financial information
• Strong experience in month‑end close, sales tax compliance, audit support, billing, collections, and cash application
• Proficiency in Excel and accounting systems; strong communication and customer service skills
• Professional certification: CPA or similar certification is a plus

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally, as needed
• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
• May require occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, or climbing stairs
• Required to work on‑site during the 15 days of SXSW and SXSW EDU

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position is full‑time and located in our Austin, Texas office. Core business office hours are from 10 am—6 pm Monday through Friday. You must be available to work additional hours from January through March, including evenings and weekends, and also for the March event, which will have extended on‑site working hours.