Director, Accounting & Transformation

Director Accounting & Transformation

The Opportunity

Korn Ferry is partnering with a publicly traded, Chicago-based technology company to recruit a Director of Accounting & Transformation. This newly positioned leadership role is designed for an accomplished technical accountant and people leader who wants to do more than oversee the close. The Director will strengthen the company's core accounting operations while helping build a more scalable, automated and insight-oriented Finance organization.

Reporting to the Assistant Controller and leading a team of four, this individual will be responsible for the quality, timeliness and control integrity of the company's accounting records. The role also has meaningful involvement in SEC reporting, technical accounting, systems modernization, M&A integration and broader Finance transformation initiatives. The role requires a minimum of one day per week in the downtown Chicago office.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Broader than a traditional accounting leadership role. Combine ownership of the public-company close with meaningful transformation, automation and process improvement work.
• Visible opportunity to make an impact. Help simplify processes, modernize systems and reporting, and reduce manual and spreadsheet-dependent work.
• Strong breadth of exposure. Work across SEC reporting, SOX, technical accounting, M&A, ERP initiatives and cross-functional Finance projects.
• Leadership with a building mindset. Develop a team of four while helping shift Accounting toward greater analysis, judgment and partnership with the business.
• Flexible Chicago hybrid model. The role is expected to work from the downtown office at least one day per week.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Close

• Lead the monthly, quarterly and annual close, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.
• Improve close execution, account reconciliations and the general ledger control environment.
• Coordinate quarterly reviews and the annual audit with internal and external auditors.
• Serve as an escalation point for accounting matters and drive practical solutions that appropriately balance business needs and risk.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop a team of four accounting professionals through clear expectations, ongoing feedback and meaningful growth opportunities.
• Establish priorities across close cycles, recurring responsibilities and special projects.
• Build productive relationships across Finance and with key partners in Legal, Investor Relations, Technology and other areas of the business.

Technical Accounting, Reporting & Controls

• Research, evaluate and document complex accounting matters, including revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, leases and business combinations.
• Contribute to the preparation of Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other required SEC filings.
• Monitor new FASB and SEC guidance, assess the financial statement implications and lead adoption when applicable.
• Develop and maintain clear accounting policies and procedures.
• Execute and maintain internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with SOX requirements.

Finance Transformation & Special Projects

• Help move Finance from transaction processing toward a more strategic, technology-enabled operating model.
• Standardize and streamline close, reporting and control processes to reduce manual effort and cycle time.
• Support modernization of ERP, reporting and automation tools, replacing spreadsheet-dependent workflows with scalable solutions.
• Create capacity for the Accounting team to spend more time on analysis, judgment and business partnership.
• Lead accounting and reporting workstreams for M&A due diligence and the Finance integration of acquired businesses, including order-to-cash planning.
• Act as a key Finance stakeholder in system migrations, partnering with Technology and third-party providers from requirements gathering through go-live.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
• Active CPA required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including demonstrated ownership of a public-company close.
• At least 3 years of people management experience, with evidence of developing and retaining strong teams.
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP and SOX internal controls.
• Solid understanding of revenue recognition and exposure to SEC reporting requirements.
• Big Four public accounting experience combined with corporate accounting experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with financial systems; familiarity with Workiva or a comparable SEC reporting platform is a plus.
• Comfort using AI tools such as Claude, Gemini or ChatGPT to support technical research, policy drafting, financial narrative development and workflow efficiency.

SE: 510831766