Full Cycle Accountant & Compliance Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Full Cycle Accountant & Compliance Lead
Optimize Accounting Solutions, a full-service CPA firm, leading with Proactive Tax planning & Advisory
Location: Bay Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time | Hybrid (In-Office 2-3 Days Per Week)
Compensation: $60,000 - $95,000 + Performance Bonus

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ABOUT OPTIMIZE ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS
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Optimize Accounting Solutions is a fast-growing, women-led tax planning and advisory firm led by Parmjit (Pam) Brar, CPA, CTP. We specialize in serving small- to mid-size businesses in the healthcare and technology sectors, as well as high-income professionals, including physicians, dentists, and executives, primarily across the Bay Area and California.

We hold ourselves to a standard most accounting firms simply do not reach. Every client interaction is proactive. Every deliverable is on time. Every communication is warm and professional. We call this our white-glove standard: nothing falls through the cracks, no one chases us for an update, and every client feels like they are our only client.

Our services include Tax Planning and Advisory, Tax Preparation (Business, Trusts, Individuals), Fractional CFO Services, Monthly Bookkeeping, Payroll Processing and Compliance, Government Notice Resolution, and Business Compliance

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THE ROLE
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We are looking for a proactive, detail-oriented Accountant and Compliance Lead with deep expertise in QuickBooks Online and major payroll platforms. This is not a staff accountant role. This is the technical backbone of our accounting and compliance department.

We need one experienced professional who can take full ownership of client bookkeeping, payroll, compliance, and team coordination, independently, without daily direction from the leadership team. You will manage accounting functions from start to finish, serve as the primary point of contact for client accounting needs, and hold the team to a high standard of accuracy and communication.

If you are a CPA-firm-trained accountant who wants to see the full picture, own outcomes, and build something, this role is for you.

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WORK ARRANGEMENT
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This role is hybrid. You will work in the office in the Bay Area, CA, for 2-3 days per week on a defined schedule.

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WHAT YOU WILL OWN
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CLIENT ONBOARDING - 7 to 21 Days, Independently
- Complete full client onboarding within 7-21 days of signed engagement, zero owner involvement required
- Schedule kickoff call within 48 hours, build QBO and TaxDome from scratch
- Review and transition clients from existing accounting systems: chart of accounts, opening balances, bank feeds, and payroll integrations
- Identify prior-period gaps and compliance issues on Day 1 and communicate a remediation plan proactively
- Achieve 9/10 minimum client satisfaction at onboarding close

MONTHLY BOOKKEEPING - Full-Cycle, All Firm Clients
- Complete monthly close for all firm clients, delivered by the 10th of every month
- Set up new clients in QBO from scratch: chart of accounts, opening balances, bank feeds, payroll integrations
- Reconcile all bank and credit card accounts monthly
- Post payroll journal entries and retirement contributions to correct GL accounts
- Deliver monthly financial packages by the 15th: P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and plain-English summary
- Independently oversee quarterly and year-end bookkeeping for small to mid-size businesses
- Maintain audit-ready books at all times
- Troubleshoot QBO issues: duplicate transactions, misclassified entries, bank sync errors
- Conduct accounting and tax-related research as needed

PAYROLL - End-to-End Ownership
- Onboard new clients onto ADP, Gusto, and Paychex from scratch; review and resolve setup errors
- Process all payroll runs independently and accurately
- Resolve all discrepancies: corrected W-2s, amended 941s, voided checks, retroactive adjustments
- Post retirement transactions (401k, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, profit-sharing) to QBO
- Map all payroll journal entries from ADP, Gusto, and Paychex to QBO with correct GL coding
- Quarterly reconciliation: payroll register vs. QBO vs. bank, zero unresolved variances
- File 940, 941, and state SUI/SDI on time, zero penalties
- W-2 preparation, 1099 issuance, and year-end payroll close

COMPLIANCE - Local and Nationwide
- 1099 NEC and MISC: identify all eligible vendors, issue correctly, and meet all deadlines
- SOI filings and local and national business license renewals, on time, every time
- Government notice response: CP2000, CP501, CP503, balance due, handled independently
- Prepare and update all other business-related licenses, documentation, and filings
- Maintain historical records by accurately filing documents physically and electronically
- Year-end close: depreciation, prepaid expenses, accruals, and loan reconciliation

TAX RETURN SUPPORT (Seasonal)
- Prepare and review returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estate planning as needed to support the CPA team during tax season
- Flag tax planning opportunities observed in the books
- Educate clients on the tax implications of bookkeeping decisions

TEAM COORDINATION
- Review the TaxDome pipeline daily and flag anything at risk before it becomes a problem
- Review in-house team bookkeeping work before it reaches clients, 99% accuracy standard
- Assign tasks to in-house and remote team members, review output, and deliver structured feedback
- Build Loom training videos for all recurring workflows
- Train team members on QBO, payroll integrations, and compliance workflows
- Proactively communicate with clients to request data, follow up on questions, and provide timely updates

SOP DOCUMENTATION AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
- Document SOPs for all recurring accounting, payroll, and compliance workflows
- Monitor, update, and improve accounting and compliance processes to drive efficiency and accuracy
- Identify inefficiencies, propose improvements, and implement them
- Evaluate and recommend new tools quarterly

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REQUIREMENTS
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MUST HAVE:
- 3-5 years of experience at a reputable CPA firm (Big Four, regional, or established boutique)
- 3-5 years of hands-on full-cycle bookkeeping experience using QBO, including troubleshooting and payroll integrations
- Active CPA license preferred; CPA candidate or EA with equivalent experience considered
- QBO Expert, ProAdvisor certified preferred
- Hands-on payroll processing: ADP Run, ADP Workforce Now, Gusto, and/or Paychex
- Payroll error resolution experience: corrected W-2s, amended 941s, reconciled discrepancies
- Payroll-to-QBO journal entry mapping expertise
- Retirement transaction posting: 401k, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA
- Experience with Lacerte or comparable tax software
- Strong computer and technical skills: Microsoft Office Suite, G-Suite, accounting and tax software
- Independent client onboarding; has set up new clients from scratch
- Experience coordinating or training at least one team member
- Expertise in financial review, reporting, analysis, and budgeting
- High integrity and sensitivity to confidential information
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Deadline-driven and detail-oriented
- Strong written and verbal communication; comfortable in client-facing situations
- Must be a US resident, authorized to work in the United States
- Bachelor's degree in accounting preferred

STRONG PLUS:
- California compliance experience
- TaxDome or similar practice management software
- Experience with AI accounting and research tools

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COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
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- Base Salary: $60,000 - $95,000 (based on experience and depth in QBO and Payroll)
- Performance Bonus: tied to client satisfaction, retention, deadline adherence, revenue goals, and team accuracy
- Yearly salary review
- Medical Insurance (company-sponsored)
- Retirement Plan with employer match
- 80 hours paid vacation annually
- 40 hours paid sick time annually
- 10 company-paid holidays annually

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GROWTH PATH
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We promote on performance, not tenure. Your path is clear from Day 1:

Full Cycle Accountant & Compliance Lead (Starting Title)
--> Accounting & Compliance Supervisor
(Firms' clients managed independently, client satisfaction 8+/10, mentoring junior staff, zero deadline misses for 3 consecutive quarters)
--> Accounting & Compliance Manager
(Full department leadership, mentoring junior staff, driving firm-wide systems improvements)

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HOW TO APPLY
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We review every application personally. To be considered, please submit:

1. Your resume with specific CPA firm experience listed
2. A brief cover letter answering: "Walk us through how you set up a brand new client in QBO, from kickoff call to first month-end close."
3. CPA or EA license status and any relevant certifications (QBO ProAdvisor, etc.)

Strong candidates will be invited to a phone screen, followed by a technical assessment, and a deep interview with our CPA team lead. We move quickly for the right person.

Optimize Accounting Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, high-performing team.

\nCompany Description

Optimize Accounting Solutions is a women-led tax planning and advisory firm founded and led by Parmjit (Pam) Brar, CPA, CTP, based in the Bay Area, California.

We specialize in serving small- to mid-size businesses in the healthcare and technology sectors, as well as high-income professionals, including physicians, dentists, and executives. Our services include Tax Planning and Advisory, Tax Preparation, Monthly Bookkeeping, Payroll Processing and Compliance, Government Notice Resolution, and Business Compliance, local and nationwide.

We hold ourselves to a white-glove standard: every client interaction is proactive, every deliverable is on time, and every client feels like they are our only client. With more than 15 years of experience, we operate from a high moral and ethical standard, ensuring business owners and professionals are not overpaying on taxes and are maximizing their financial outcomes.

We invest in our team the same way we invest in our clients. At OAS, you will find a firm where A-players own outcomes, performance drives growth, and the work you do directly impacts the clients and communities we serve. We offer a meaningful career, real ownership of your work, and a clear path to leadership for those who earn it.

If you are ready to grow your career at a firm that holds itself and its team to a higher standard, Optimize Accounting Solutions is the place to do it.

Company Description

Optimize Accounting Solutions is a women-led tax planning and advisory firm founded and led by Parmjit (Pam) Brar, CPA, CTP, based in the Bay Area, California.\r\n\r\nWe specialize in serving small- to mid-size businesses in the healthcare and technology sectors, as well as high-income professionals, including physicians, dentists, and executives. Our services include Tax Planning and Advisory, Tax Preparation, Monthly Bookkeeping, Payroll Processing and Compliance, Government Notice Resolution, and Business Compliance, local and nationwide.\r\n\r\nWe hold ourselves to a white-glove standard: every client interaction is proactive, every deliverable is on time, and every client feels like they are our only client. With more than 15 years of experience, we operate from a high moral and ethical standard, ensuring business owners and professionals are not overpaying on taxes and are maximizing their financial outcomes.\r\n\r\nWe invest in our team the same way we invest in our clients. At OAS, you will find a firm where A-players own outcomes, performance drives growth, and the work you do directly impacts the clients and communities we serve. We offer a meaningful career, real ownership of your work, and a clear path to leadership for those who earn it.\r\n\r\nIf you are ready to grow your career at a firm that holds itself and its team to a higher standard, Optimize Accounting Solutions is the place to do it.