Accounting Lead - Finance Transformation

Vaco; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking an Accounting Lead, Finance Transformation in New York City to lead finance transformation and ERP implementation initiatives. This role partners with Controllers, CFOs, and finance teams to redesign workflows, improve reporting, and ensure scalable, compliant processes.

The ideal candidate has 3–8 years of accounting/finance transformation experience, a strong CPA background, and track record with ERP systems. CPA highly preferred; on-site in NYC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 3–8 years of experience in accounting, finance transformation, management consulting, financial systems implementation, project management, or related roles.
• Strong accounting foundation including general ledger, reconciliations, month-end close, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• CPA and Big 4 background highly preferred.
• Experience participating in ERP, accounting system, finance transformation, or process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to gather requirements, document workflows, and drive projects to completion.
• Experience working directly with senior finance and accounting stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and relationship management capabilities.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing multiple priorities, and driving results in fast-paced environments.
• Experience supporting client-facing projects or cross-functional initiatives preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance transformation and accounting system implementation projects from planning through post-launch stabilization.
• Partner with Controllers, CFOs, and finance teams to assess current processes and design scalable future-state workflows.
• Analyze accounting operations and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, controls, and reporting.
• Translate business and accounting requirements into system configurations, process designs, and implementation plans.
• Oversee financial data validation, account structures, workflow design, and system setup activities.
• Coordinate data migration, testing, reconciliation, and go-live readiness efforts.
• Ensure accounting processes, controls, and reporting requirements are reflected in new systems and workflows.
• Support user acceptance testing and resolve operational, reporting, and data issues throughout implementation projects.
• Deliver training, documentation, and change management support to finance and accounting teams.
• Act as a trusted advisor to finance leadership by providing recommendations related to process improvement and operational best practices.
• Build implementation methodologies, templates, and repeatable frameworks to improve project delivery.
• Partner with product, technology, operations, and finance stakeholders to enhance workflows and identify system improvement opportunities.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring high-quality execution and stakeholder satisfaction.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

CPA

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Client: AI / SaaS Company

Role: Accounting Lead, Finance Transformation

Salary: $130,000 - $200,000/annually (depending on experience)

Location: New York City (On-site - 5 days a week in-office)

About the Role:

Our client, a high-growth AI and SaaS company is seeking an Accounting Lead, Finance Transformation to partner with clients on finance process improvement, accounting system implementations, and operational transformation initiatives. This role sits at the intersection of accounting, technology, and business operations, helping organizations modernize their finance functions and successfully adopt new systems, processes, and ways of working.

The ideal candidate combines strong accounting expertise with project management and transformation experience. This individual will work closely with finance executives, accounting teams, and operational stakeholders to redesign workflows, improve reporting processes, and drive successful implementation outcomes.

Candidates coming from Big 4 public accounting or consulting, with experience in finance transformation, accounting advisory, controllership, financial systems, ERP implementation, or operational finance are encouraged to apply. CPA highly preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Lead finance transformation and accounting system implementation projects from planning through post-launch stabilization
• Partner with Controllers, CFOs, and finance teams to assess current processes and design scalable future-state workflows
• Analyze accounting operations and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, controls, and reporting
• Translate business and accounting requirements into system configurations, process designs, and implementation plans
• Oversee financial data validation, account structures, workflow design, and system setup activities
• Coordinate data migration, testing, reconciliation, and go-live readiness efforts
• Ensure accounting processes, controls, and reporting requirements are appropriately reflected in new systems and workflows
• Support user acceptance testing and resolve operational, reporting, and data issues throughout implementation projects
• Deliver training, documentation, and change management support to finance and accounting teams
• Act as a trusted advisor to finance leadership by providing recommendations related to process improvement and operational best practices
• Build implementation methodologies, templates, and repeatable frameworks that improve project delivery and scalability
• Partner with product, technology, operations, and finance stakeholders to enhance workflows and identify system improvement opportunities
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring high-quality execution and stakeholder satisfaction

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field
• 3-8 years of experience in accounting, finance transformation, management consulting, financial systems implementation, project management, or related roles
• Strong accounting foundation, including general ledger, reconciliations, month-end close, financial reporting, and internal controls
• CPA and Big 4 background highly preferred
• Experience participating in ERP, accounting system, finance transformation, or process improvement initiatives
• Ability to gather requirements, document workflows, and drive projects to completion
• Experience working directly with senior finance and accounting stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Excellent communication and relationship management capabilities
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing multiple priorities, and driving results in fast-paced environments
• Experience supporting client-facing projects or cross-functional initiatives preferred