Aviation Client Accounting Director, Lead Client Finance

SOLAIRUS Aviation; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Solairus Aviation is seeking a Client Accounting Director to serve as the primary financial contact for assigned aircraft owners and manage a dedicated accounting team. You will ensure accurate monthly statements, oversee cash management, and drive timely close processes across portfolios.

You will lead and develop a skilled team, coordinate with cross-functional partners, and uphold strong internal controls while advancing process improvements and system enhancements in Oracle Fusion and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of accounting, financial reporting, client accounting, or related financial operations experience in a mid-sized to large organization; corporate aviation experience strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of people-management, supervisory, or team-leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of financial and project accounting, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing client relationships and communicating financial information clearly to owners, executives, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, coaching, problem-solving, and judgment skills, including the ability to identify risks, resolve complex issues, and escalate appropriately.
• Proven ability to manage multiple client portfolios, projects, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and experience working in an ERP/accounting environment; Oracle Fusion experience strongly preferred.
• Comfort with client reporting portals, document-management tools, and other financial systems; experience with the Client Finance Console, SharePoint, Adobe, and payroll/timekeeping systems is a plus.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills with a professional, service-oriented approach.
• Experience working with sensitive and highly confidential information.
• Demonstrated interest in process improvement, automation, and responsible use of AI/productivity tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and team effectiveness is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial point of contact for assigned managed aircraft owners and/or their financial teams; provide ongoing account support, guidance, and timely issue resolution.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of monthly client statements, reporting packages, supporting information, and other financial reporting through the Client Finance Console and related platforms.
• Review financial activity, trends, budgets, and material variances; provide clear explanations and respond to special reporting or analysis requests from clients and management.
• Oversee client cash management, bank balances, operating funding, and anticipated cash needs; coordinate funding for routine activity and significant aircraft expenses.
• Monitor accounts payable, accounts receivable, aging, and other outstanding financial items; drive timely resolution of funding, billing, payment, and reconciliation issues.
• Review and approve payment activity, including ACH, wire, and check payments, in accordance with delegated authority, supporting documentation, and established internal controls.
• Lead month-end close readiness for assigned client portfolios, including reconciliations, open-item cleanup, reporting deadlines, and escalation of unresolved issues.
• Provide oversight and guidance for financial transactions and project accounting in Oracle Fusion, including coding, client/project assignment, approval workflows, and supporting documentation.
• Serve as an escalation point for client financial matters including charter revenue, aircraft budgets, banking requests, maintenance expenses, crew and payroll items, insurance claims, vendor invoices, and other aircraft-related accounting questions.
• Coordinate with cross-functional Solairus teams, including Client Services, Finance, Accounts Payable, Maintenance, Human Resources/Payroll, Flight Operations, Flight Coordination/Dispatch, IT, and other business partners to support client needs and resolve issues.
• Manage the flow of financial information and communication among clients, crew members, vendors, and internal departments; ensure clear ownership, timely follow-up, and professional service.
• Lead or support the financial onboarding, transition, and offboarding of aircraft and client accounts, including banking, systems, reporting, account setup, and financial closeout activities.
• Provide regular updates to executive and department leadership regarding client account status, material issues, workload, staffing needs, and significant client risks or escalations.
• Lead, coach, and develop assigned team members; manage workload allocation, cross-training, coverage, quality, and completion of recurring deadlines.
• Perform people-management responsibilities including recruiting and interviewing, onboarding, timecard and PTO approvals, performance management, feedback, and career development.
• Facilitate regular team communications, training, and meetings; promote consistent execution of departmental procedures and knowledge sharing across the team.
• Develop, maintain, and reinforce accounting policies, standard operating procedures, documentation, and internal controls to support accurate records and consistent departmental practices.
• Partner with Finance, IT, Systems, and other stakeholders on process improvement, automation, reporting enhancements, and adoption of approved technology and productivity tools.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive client, employee, and company financial information and exercise sound judgment in handling escalated or high-impact matters.
• Perform other duties and analyses as assigned by department leadership.

Skills

Client relationships

Leadership

Financial reporting

Cash management

Month-end close

Forecasting

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Tools

Oracle Fusion

Excel

SharePoint

Adobe

Payroll systems

Job description

Solairus Aviation is seeking a Client Accounting Director to serve as the primary financial contact for assigned aircraft owners and manage a dedicated accounting team. You will ensure accurate monthly statements, oversee cash management, and drive timely close processes across portfolios.

You will lead and develop a skilled team, coordinate with cross-functional partners, and uphold strong internal controls while advancing process improvements and system enhancements in Oracle Fusion and