Head of Finance and Accounting

Our client is seeking a seasoned professional to lead their Finance & Accounting Practice. They are open to discussing the title, but they envision this being more in line with that of an elite professional services firm so gravitate towards something like “Managing Director, Head of Finance & Accounting Practice.” This person will be responsible for generating new business, building out an exceptional team, delivering world class service to our clients, and making this practice area both highly regarded and highly profitable. He or she will work very closely with the company’s founder who will serve both as a thought partner as they jointly build out this practice area but also as a “client” as he oversees several clients.

Responsibilities

1. Lead and build out a world class Finance & Accounting Practice
2. Ensure that we deliver exceptional service to our clients, directly and via subordinates
3. Note, this person will be expected to get very “in the weeds” with our clients, particularly early on, serving as the Controller for multiple high-growth brands at the same time
4. Generate new clients so that we can continue to expand our team and our revenue base
5. Build a professional, analytical, results-driven culture that is also a fun place to work
6. Build out new sub-practice areas that our existing and/or new clients find valuable
7. Key tasks that our clients currently require include:
1. Set up and optimize ERP systems, with particular emphasis on QuickBooks
2. Maintain records of financial transactions with intuitive bucketing
3. Establish and enforce proper accounting methods, policies and principles
4. Manage day-to-day cash flows, including AR and AP
5. Oversee month-end close process including analytical review of the monthly operating results to ensure accurate accounting plus helpful commentary
6. Reconcile balance sheet accounts on a regular basis to ensure GAAP compliance
7. Manage reporting requirements to external parties including financial institutions
8. Quarterback annual tax preparation alongside external CPA firms
9. Create “management financials” and regular KPIs across various topics
10. Assist with investor updates, capital raises, and potential company exits
11. Work with operations and NPD teams to ensure accurate product costing
12. Maintain reporting of fixed assets and track of capital projects
13. Forecast pro forma financials including P&L, balance sheet and cash flows
14. Properly account for retailer and distributor deductions
15. Maintain and set up inventory accounting, bills of material, product costing and understand related purchase orders, inventory receipts etc.
16. Process payroll and record payroll across the various companies
17. Prepare and file sales tax, business tax and assists with ensuring compliance with legal requirements by jurisdiction

Qualifications

1. Bachelors degree from a top tier university; CPA preferred but not required
2. 10+ years of prior experience as a Controller for high-growth consumer brands
3. Deep understanding of GAAP and how to report out financials that are GAAP compliant
4. Ability to oversee annual taxes and lead CPA financial reviews, as well as sales taxes
5. Experience with setting up and overseeing ERP systems (QuickBooks, Sage MAS, etc.)
6. Highly proficient with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, v-lookups, forecasts
7. Strong attention to detail with emphasis on accuracy and quality
8. Excellent organizational and time management skills
9. A self-starter, but is also highly effective in team environments
10. Able to multi-task and prioritize with efficiency
11. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
12. Able to support multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines
13. Personal drive and ambition to take this practice area to the next level and beyond
14. A true team player who can attract, develop and retain top level talent