Head of Payroll and Payroll Accounting

Arkansas Talent Group is exclusively partnering with a well-established, growth-oriented organization to identify a strategic Director of Accounting.

This senior finance leadership role will oversee core accounting, financial reporting, payroll, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, business intelligence, and strategic planning functions. The Director will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, delivering timely financial insights, recommendations, and reporting that support sound operational and long-term business decisions.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, analytical, and collaborative finance leader with deep accounting knowledge, strong business acumen, and a proven ability to develop high-performing teams. This individual will be comfortable moving between strategic planning and operational execution, improving processes, strengthening controls, and translating complex financial information into clear, actionable guidance for leadership.

Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight for accounting, financial reporting, payroll, financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and business intelligence activities.

Lead the preparation, review, and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for executive leadership, the board of directors, and other key stakeholders.

Oversee the month-end and year-end close process, including general ledger activity, account reconciliations, financial statement preparation, variance analysis, and supporting documentation.

Develop, maintain, and continuously improve annual budgets, forecasts, long-range plans, financial models, and related reporting tools.

Analyze financial results, trends, operational drivers, and key performance indicators to provide meaningful insights and recommendations to executive leadership.

Partner with senior leaders across the organization to evaluate business opportunities, operational performance, financial risks, strategic initiatives, and resource allocation decisions.

Lead complex financial analysis, scenario planning, modeling, and decision-support projects to address strategic and operational questions.

Establish, maintain, and improve accounting policies, financial processes, internal controls, documentation standards, and procedures to support accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and strong stewardship of organizational resources.

Oversee accounts payable, cash management, payroll, expense activity, vendor payments, and other recurring financial operations.

Coordinate the preparation of tax filings, regulatory reporting, financial disclosures, annual reports, and other required reporting in partnership with internal stakeholders and outside advisors.

Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors, tax advisors, financial institutions, and other external financial partners.

Lead and coordinate annual audits, interim reviews, financial examinations, and other compliance-related activities, ensuring accurate and timely responses to requests.

Guide the development and use of reporting dashboards, financial data tools, business intelligence resources, and visualizations that improve decision-making across the organization.

Identify and lead opportunities to improve workflows, reporting quality, financial systems, automation, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Recruit, develop, coach, evaluate, and retain a high-performing finance team while establishing clear expectations, accountability, and professional-development opportunities.

Communicate complex financial concepts, analysis, and recommendations clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.

Perform other related leadership responsibilities and special projects as needed.

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.

• Progressive accounting and financial leadership experience required, including responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic analysis highly desired.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, financial statement preparation, audit processes, and financial reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading accounting and finance teams and developing staff in a collaborative, accountable environment.
• Expertise using Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP, accounting, reporting, and business intelligence systems.
• Ability to shape financial strategy, planning, reporting, processes, and systems.
• Opportunity to lead and develop a talented finance team.
• Collaborative environment where financial insight and operational partnership are valued.
• 15% performance Bonus
• Hybrid-2 days WFH

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