Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Head Accountant

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively searching for a seasoned and meticulous Head Accountant to take the helm of our accounting department. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the entirety of our accounting operations, from the granular details of daily transactions to the high-level strategy of financial reporting and compliance. You will be the architect and guardian of our company's financial integrity, leading a talented team and partnering with executive leadership to provide critical financial insights. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the financial framework of a growing organization, optimize processes, and mentor the next generation of accounting professionals. If you are a proactive leader with a passion for accuracy and a strategic mindset, we invite you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Accountant
Accounting Manager
Assistant Controller

Advancement To:

Corporate Controller
Director of Finance
Vice President (VP) of Finance

Lateral Moves:

Senior Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager
Internal Audit Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Oversee the entire month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting in compliance with GAAP and/or IFRS.
Direct and manage all accounting operations including Billing, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger, Cost Accounting, Inventory Accounting, and Revenue Recognition.
Prepare and publish consolidated financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows, for executive management and board review.
Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of robust accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls (including SOX compliance where applicable) to ensure financial integrity.
Manage and coordinate all external audit activities, serving as the primary point of contact for auditors and ensuring the timely delivery of PBC (Provided by Client) lists and supporting documentation.
Supervise and mentor the accounting team, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and professional development through effective coaching and goal setting.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings, coordinating with external tax advisors as necessary.
Drive process improvement and automation initiatives within the accounting function to increase efficiency, reduce manual work, and enhance the accuracy of financial data.
Manage complex accounting areas such as revenue recognition (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), stock-based compensation, and business combinations.
Oversee cash flow management and forecasting, ensuring adequate liquidity to meet the organization's operational needs and strategic objectives.
Perform in-depth financial analysis on monthly and quarterly fluctuations, providing insightful commentary and variance explanations to senior leadership.
Lead the technical accounting research on new or complex transactions and new accounting pronouncements to ensure they are recorded and disclosed appropriately.
Manage the maintenance of the chart of accounts and the overall integrity of the general ledger to ensure it accurately reflects the company's financial activities.
Review and approve significant balance sheet account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reports prepared by the accounting staff.
Partner with the FP&A team to support the annual budgeting and forecasting processes by providing historical data and insights into financial trends.
Oversee the administration of payroll and expense reporting systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.
Act as the primary administrator for the ERP system (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle), driving system enhancements and ensuring data integrity.
Manage relationships with banking partners, auditors, and tax consultants to ensure effective and collaborative partnerships.
Develop and present comprehensive financial reporting packages to the executive team, highlighting key performance indicators, trends, and financial health.
Lead the accounting integration for any merger and acquisition (M&A) activities, including due diligence and post-acquisition harmonization of policies and systems.

Secondary Functions

Support the executive team and department heads with ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting to aid in strategic decision-making.
Collaborate with IT and operations on the implementation and enhancement of financial systems and software.
Participate in cross-functional projects that require financial oversight and expertise, providing guidance on the accounting implications of business decisions.
Assist in the preparation of materials for Board of Directors and Audit Committee meetings.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

U.S. GAAP / IFRS Expertise: Deep, comprehensive knowledge of accounting principles and the ability to research and apply complex standards.
Financial Reporting: Proven ability to prepare and analyze complete financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow).
ERP Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience with major ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Advanced Microsoft Excel: Mastery of complex functions, pivot tables, modeling, and data analysis tools.
Internal Controls (SOX): Experience in designing, implementing, and testing internal controls in a SOX-compliant environment.
Audit Management: Demonstrable experience leading successful financial statement audits with external auditors (Big 4 experience is a plus).
Tax Compliance: Solid understanding of corporate tax principles and experience coordinating with tax professionals.
Technical Accounting: Expertise in complex topics like Revenue Recognition (ASC 606), Leases (ASC 842), and Stock-Based Compensation.
Process Automation & Improvement: A track record of identifying inefficiencies and implementing automated solutions.
Budgeting and Forecasting: Experience partnering with FP&A teams and contributing to the budget/forecast cycle.
Consolidation: Experience with multi-entity and international financial consolidation.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
Attention to Detail: Impeccable accuracy and a commitment to producing high-quality, error-free work.
Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to interpret financial data, identify trends, and resolve complex issues.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture and align accounting functions with broader business goals.
Integrity & Ethics: Unquestionable professional integrity and a commitment to ethical financial practices.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
Proactive & Self-Motivated: A "hands-on" leader who takes initiative and drives results with minimal supervision.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Accounting (MAcc) or MBA with a concentration in Finance/Accounting.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is strongly preferred and often required.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Accounting
Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

8-12+ years of progressive experience in accounting roles.
A minimum of 3-5 years in a managerial or leadership position, directly supervising accounting staff.

Preferred:

Active CPA designation is highly desirable.
Experience starting in public accounting (especially Big 4) followed by industry experience is ideal.
Proven experience scaling an accounting function in a high-growth environment.
Experience in both public and private company accounting settings.