Director of Client Accounting Services

Position Overview

The Director of Client Accounting Services (CAS) is responsible for leading and scaling the firm's outsourced accounting and bookkeeping operations. This role oversees the delivery of high-quality accounting services to a growing portfolio of small and mid-sized business clients while developing the systems, processes, and leadership structure required to support significant future growth.

The Director will lead and develop a multi-layered team of Team Leads, accounting professionals, and operational support staff while ensuring exceptional client outcomes, operational efficiency, and consistent service standards.

This position is a senior leadership role responsible for building a best-in-class Client Accounting Services department capable of supporting thousands of clients and a large, distributed team.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership

· Provide strategic leadership for the Client Accounting Services department.

· Lead and develop a growing team of Team Leads, accounting specialists, and support staff.

· Build and maintain a scalable leadership structure capable of supporting significant department growth.

· Foster a culture of accountability, professional development, and operational excellence.

· Conduct performance reviews and leadership development for direct reports.

Client Accounting Service Delivery

· Ensure all client accounting services are delivered accurately, consistently, and on schedule.

· Oversee the execution of services including:

o bookkeeping

o monthly close

o payroll coordination

o financial reporting

o audit preparation support

o cash flow and financial management advisory

· Serve as the escalation point for complex accounting questions and client issues.

· Maintain high client satisfaction and service quality across the department.

Operational Excellence & Quality Control

· Develop and maintain standardized accounting workflows and procedures.

· Implement quality control measures including file reviews, audit checks, and service benchmarks.

· Establish service-level expectations for client deliverables.

· Continuously improve operational processes to increase efficiency and scalability.

Department Growth & Capacity Planning

· Design and implement a scalable operational structure capable of supporting rapid client growth.

· Work with executive leadership to forecast staffing needs and hiring timelines.

· Develop workforce planning models to support future expansion of the CAS practice.

· Ensure the department can scale from its current size to support thousands of clients and a large team of accounting professionals.

Training & Professional Development

· Lead the development of training programs for new hires and existing team members.

· Ensure team members remain current on accounting standards, software platforms, and internal procedures.

· Provide technical training on accounting topics and best practices.

· Identify high-potential employees and develop future leaders within the department.

Process & Systems Development

· Implement technology and automation solutions to improve department efficiency.

· Develop standardized procedures for key accounting workflows including:

o monthly close

o payroll processing

o financial statement review

o account reconciliations

· Collaborate with leadership to implement systems that support large-scale client operations.

Cross-Department Collaboration

· Partner with leadership, client services, and operations teams to ensure seamless client experiences.

· Work with recruiting and HR to hire and onboard accounting staff.

· Collaborate with firm leadership on strategic initiatives and growth planning.

Reporting & Performance Metrics

· Track key performance indicators for the CAS department including:

o client service delivery timelines

o department productivity

o team capacity

o client satisfaction

· Provide regular performance updates to executive leadership.

· Identify operational risks and implement corrective strategies when necessary.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

· Active CPA license required

· 10+ years of progressive accounting experience

· 5+ years of leadership experience managing accounting teams

· Experience managing or overseeing client accounting or outsourced accounting services

· Strong knowledge of small business accounting and financial reporting

· Experience building processes, procedures, and scalable operations

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience leading large accounting teams

· Experience within a CPA firm or outsourced accounting service provider

· Experience scaling operational departments during periods of rapid growth

· Strong background in accounting systems and workflow automation

Key Leadership Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

· Strategic leadership

· Operational excellence

· Strong communication and coaching abilities

· Process improvement mindset

· Ability to lead large teams through growth and change

· Strong technical accounting knowledge

Work Environment

This is a leadership role that requires a professional work environment and consistent availability during standard business hours. The Director must maintain a workspace conducive to managing teams, collaborating with leadership, and delivering high-quality service to clients.

Why This Role Is Unique

The Director of Client Accounting Services will play a central role in building and scaling a rapidly growing accounting services organization. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a department that will support thousands of clients and a large team of accounting professionals.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What is your salary expectation for this role?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• progressive accounting: 10 years (Required)
• overseeing department of 200 or more accountants: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPA license (Required)

Work Location: Remote