Director of Accounting and Operations

Director of Accounting & Financial Operations (Confidential)

Raleigh, NC | Full-Time | Hybrid

Lead the Accounting Function. Build the Future.

Relocation offered

A respected, well-established professional services organization is seeking a Director of Accounting & Financial Operations to lead a critical transformation of its accounting function.

This is not a traditional Director role focused on reviewing others' work. It's an opportunity for a hands-on accounting leader to take ownership of financial reporting, budgeting, and operational execution while helping build a more structured, technology-enabled finance organization.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you'll serve as the operational leader of accounting—guiding the team, strengthening processes, and personally owning the firm's financial reporting and annual planning cycle.

If you're energized by creating structure, improving workflows, developing people, and staying close to the work, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This role was created as part of a broader finance modernization initiative driven by continued organizational growth and increasing operational complexity.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Own the firm's financial reporting and annual budgeting process.
• Build repeatable, scalable accounting processes and documentation standards.
• Lead an experienced accounting team while remaining directly involved in critical deliverables.
• Partner closely with an engaged CFO who values operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Help transition the accounting function from manual, paper-driven processes to a more efficient, technology-enabled operating model.
• Shape how accounting supports the business for years to come.

This is an ideal opportunity for an accounting leader who enjoys leaving organizations stronger

than they found them.

What You'll Own

Financial Reporting & Close

• Personally prepare monthly and annual financial statements, supporting schedules, and workpapers.
• Lead month-end and year-end close with a focus on accuracy, consistency, and accountability.
• Produce executive-ready financial reporting and meaningful budget-to-actual variance analysis.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process from start to finish.
• Develop and maintain sophisticated Excel-based financial models.
• Support forecasting, allocation modeling, and financial planning initiatives.

Accounting Operations

• Provide leadership for the accounting function, overseeing the Controller and accounting team.
• Ensure consistent execution across general ledger, payroll, trust accounting, cash management, and related accounting operations.
• Strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and operational procedures.
• Process Improvement & Modernization
• Establish documentation standards, workpaper requirements, and structured review processes.
• Improve workflows, increase operational efficiency, and support accounting system enhancements.
• Translate strategic direction into scalable processes and high-quality financial deliverables.

Leadership

• Mentor and develop an accounting team with diverse experience levels.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Create structure and consistency while leading through change.

Who Will Thrive Here

You're more than an accounting expert—you enjoy building organizations.

You're someone who:

• Prefers owning the work instead of simply reviewing it.
• Personally prepares financial statements and understands every number behind them.
• Enjoys improving processes and creating structure where it doesn't yet exist.
• Leads by example and isn't afraid to roll up your sleeves.
• Balances operational discipline with practical problem-solving.
• Develops teams while maintaining high standards of accountability.
• Is comfortable operating in an evolving environment where your ideas and leadership can make a measurable difference.

What our client seeks

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• 5+ years leading accounting teams.
• Demonstrated experience personally preparing financial statements and supporting workpapers.
• Strong ownership of month-end close and financial reporting processes.
• Advanced Excel skills, including financial modeling and budgeting.
• Experience building documentation standards, workflows, and internal controls.
• Proven success leading teams while remaining hands-on.
• Ability to manage ongoing operations while driving meaningful process improvements.

Preferred Experience

• Professional services or partnership-based organizations.
• Law firm accounting.
• Partnership accounting, capital allocations, and K-1 reporting.
• Elite 3E Cloud or similar accounting platforms.

What Makes This Role Different

This isn't a stepping stone to CFO, nor is it a review-only Director position.

It's a leadership role for someone who wants to:

• Own financial reporting.
• Lead accounting operations.
• Build scalable processes.
• Develop people.
• Modernize an accounting function.
• Deliver work they're proud to sign their name to.

You'll have significant influence over how accounting operates while partnering with executive leadership to build a stronger, more efficient finance organization.

About the Environment

This is a collaborative, professional organization where leaders remain actively engaged in their areas of responsibility. Success here comes from balancing leadership with execution, bringing structure to evolving processes, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

The role is onsite, reflecting the importance of visible leadership, team development, and cross-functional collaboration.

Ready to Build Something Meaningful?

If you're an accounting leader who enjoys ownership, values operational excellence, and wants the opportunity to modernize a finance function while remaining hands-on, we'd like to hear from you.

Ascendo is a certified minority owned staffing firm, and we welcome and celebrate diversity.

Ascendo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.