The Director, Accounting Operations will lead and optimize the core accounting operations functions, including but not limited to Accounts Payable, Billing, Credit & Collections, and Payroll. This role is responsible for ensuring efficient transaction processing, strong internal controls, scalable processes, and exceptional service delivery across the organization. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with deep operational accounting experience, a track record of managing high-performing teams, and expertise in implementing process improvements, automation, and controls across multiple accounting functions.
Essential Functions
- Lead and oversee all Accounting Operations functions, including Accounts Payable, Billing, Credit & Collections, Payroll, and Equity Administration.
- Develop and maintain scalable processes, policies, and internal controls to support operational excellence and compliance requirements.
- Manage the end-to-end accounts payable function, ensuring timely vendor payments, expense processing, and strong controls over disbursements.
- Oversee customer billing operations, ensuring accurate and timely invoicing in accordance with contractual terms and company policies.
- Lead the Credit & Collections team to optimize cash collections, minimize delinquent accounts, and improve Days Sales Outstanding (DSO).
- Establish collection strategies, monitor key performance metrics, and provide regular reporting and forecasts to senior leadership.
- Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, tax compliance, reconciliations, and adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
- Manage equity administration through Certent, including stock option grants, vesting schedules, employee transactions, reporting requirements, and coordination with Legal, HR, and external stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with SOX controls, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements across all accounting operations functions.
- Partner with the broader accounting function to support month-end close activities, including reconciliations, accruals, reporting, and balance sheet account management.
- Drive process improvement initiatives and automation efforts to increase efficiency, enhance controls, and improve stakeholder experience.
- Lead the implementation, optimization, and integration of accounting systems and operational tools, including NetSuite, Certent, payroll platforms, and billing systems.
- Develop and monitor operational metrics and KPIs to measure team performance, productivity, and effectiveness.
- Mentor a high-performing accounting operations team with team members in the U.S. and India while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as a key business partner to Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and Executive Leadership on accounting operation initiatives.
- Support internal and external audits by ensuring accurate documentation, timely responses, and compliance with audit requirements.
- Lead special projects including system implementations, acquisitions, integrations, process redesigns, and organizational scaling initiatives.
Essential Qualifications / Competencies
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
- CPA strongly preferred.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with significant leadership responsibility in accounting operations.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple accounting operations functions, including Accounts Payable, Billing, Credit & Collections, Payroll, and Equity Administration.
- Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, SOX compliance, and operational accounting best practices.
- Direct experience administering equity programs and working within Certent (or similar equity management platform) considered a strong plus.
- Experience leading payroll operations and partnering with HR on compensation, benefits, and compliance-related matters.
- Experience with collections management, cash flow optimization, and customer account management strategies.
- Experience in a publicly traded company environment.
- Experience within media, technology, SaaS, advertising, or other high-growth environments.
- Proven success leading large teams, building organizational capability, and driving measurable process improvements.
- Strong systems expertise, including NetSuite, ERP implementations, automation tools, and operational workflow technologies.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong familiarity with reporting and analytics tools.
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a focus on operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated leadership presence, business partnership capabilities, and a customer-service-oriented mindset.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to operational excellence and accountability.
