[Hiring] Head of Accounting @Oceans

Role Description

As the Head of Accounting, you will play a critical role in building and owning the accounting function for a growing fractional CFO and financial operations consultancy. You'll manage accounting delivery across a portfolio of clients, overseeing everything from bookkeeping, AP/AR, and general ledger management through month-end close, financial reporting, cash flow, controls, compliance, and financial systems.

This role is ideal for a senior accounting professional who combines strong technical expertise with a hands-on execution mindset and the ability to build structure where it doesn't yet exist. Rather than functioning as a traditional accounting manager, you'll act as the functional owner of accounting—establishing scalable processes and controls, maintaining high-quality financial operations across multiple client environments, and serving as a trusted finance partner to founders and leadership while helping build the accounting service line from the ground up.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally including multi-client, multi-entity, fractional CFO, outsourced accounting, or professional services environments.
• Deep hands-on knowledge of bookkeeping, AP, AR, general ledger management, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial statement preparation.
• Strong ability to prepare, review, and analyze financial statements in accordance with GAAP and/or IFRS.
• Experience establishing internal controls, accounting policies, financial procedures, and supporting tax, regulatory, and audit requirements.
• Strong understanding of cash management, banking, working capital, and liquidity oversight.
• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online, Xero, or comparable cloud accounting platforms, with the ability to evaluate and implement finance systems.
• Confidence working directly with founders and senior leadership and translating financial information into clear recommendations and insights.
• Demonstrated ability to build accounting processes and SOPs from the ground up and continuously improve operational efficiency.
• Comfortable operating independently, making sound financial decisions, and remaining accountable for outcomes without mature processes or constant supervision.
• Experience using AI tools to improve finance workflows, analysis, documentation, reporting, or automation.
• Strong written and verbal English with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Requirements

• Own accounting delivery across a diverse portfolio of client accounts and entities.
• Manage the full accounting lifecycle from client onboarding through recurring bookkeeping, close, reporting, and ongoing support.
• Maintain visibility across multiple client engagements and ensure deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Serve as a trusted finance partner to client founders and leadership teams.
• Translate financial information into clear, actionable insights for clients.
• Own day-to-day bookkeeping across client accounts.
• Manage Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processes.
• Maintain accurate general ledgers and supporting financial documentation.
• Review and appropriately code financial transactions.
• Ensure accounting records remain accurate, complete, and current.
• Remain hands-on with transactional accounting while maintaining senior oversight of the broader function.
• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes across client engagements.
• Perform and oversee account and bank reconciliations.
• Prepare and review accurate financial statements in accordance with applicable GAAP and/or IFRS requirements.
• Analyze financial performance and identify relevant trends, inconsistencies, and risks.
• Present financial information and insights clearly to client leadership.
• Establish repeatable close and reporting procedures that can scale across the client portfolio.
• Establish and maintain effective internal controls across accounting operations.
• Develop accounting policies, financial procedures, and governance standards.
• Ensure appropriate application of GAAP and/or IFRS accounting principles.
• Coordinate tax compliance, regulatory filings, and external audit requirements.
• Work with external tax advisors and auditors to provide accurate financial information and supporting documentation.
• Identify control weaknesses and implement practical improvements.
• Maintain strong financial governance as the accounting service line grows.
• Monitor cash flow and liquidity across client accounts.
• Oversee banking processes and bank reconciliations.
• Monitor working capital requirements and short-term liquidity.
• Identify potential cash flow concerns and proactively surface them to leadership.
• Support clients with cash management and related financial decisions.
• Own and optimize cloud accounting systems such as QuickBooks Online and Xero.
• Evaluate accounting and finance systems as client requirements evolve.
• Select and implement new accounting or ERP solutions where appropriate.
• Develop scalable workflows, SOPs, and operating procedures.
• Identify inefficient or manual processes and implement practical improvements.
• Maintain consistency, accuracy, and data integrity across financial systems and client engagements.
• Actively leverage AI tools to improve accounting and finance workflows.
• Use AI-assisted tools to accelerate analysis, reporting, documentation, and repetitive finance processes.
• Identify opportunities to automate recurring accounting activities while maintaining appropriate financial controls and judgment.
• Validate AI-generated outputs and ensure financial accuracy before use.
• Contribute ideas for improving technology-enabled finance workflows and proprietary financial tools.
• Establish the operational foundation for accounting as a core service line.
• Develop accounting standards, SOPs, controls, and delivery methodologies.
• Create processes that can support a growing client portfolio without compromising quality.
• Bring proven accounting best practices rather than relying on established processes being handed to you.
• Help determine future accounting team structure and resource requirements.
• Mentor and potentially recruit and manage accounting team members as the function grows.

Benefits

During the offer process, we’ll share more information about our benefits and compensation philosophy, considering both market trends and individual factors.

Company Description

At Oceans Talent, we connect the world’s top talent with visionary companies building what’s next. Here, you’re not just stepping into another role — you’re joining a team that values individuality, ambition, and growth without limits.

• Diversity of experience is core to Oceans.
• You are expected to work inclusively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, ensuring that both personal and collective dignity are supported.