CAAS Director

Ascend Partner Firms; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) Matching

Annual Performance Bonus

Professional Development

Community Involvement

Equity Program Eligibility

Job summary

Ascend Partner Firms is seeking a strategic CAAS Director to lead client accounting and advisory services. The role focuses on growth, resource management, and operational excellence, combining leadership with hands-on execution to deliver high-impact client outcomes.

The ideal candidate will guide staff, optimize processes, and drive meaningful insights across the practice, leveraging technology to scale services and enhance client value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
• 10+ years of general accounting experience.
• 4+ years of experience training and supervising staff.
• Deep understanding of accounting principles and advisory services.
• Strategic people leader with a track record of building high-performing teams and driving accountability, continuous improvement, and client-focused excellence.
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to identify root causes and design practical solutions.
• Process-oriented with ability to create and refine SOPs.
• Technologically adept; able to leverage automation and AI to optimize processes.
• Excellent communicator; able to simplify complex concepts and identify client needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead CAAS Practice Management and Strategic Operations with data-driven staffing decisions.
• Develop staffing models and optimize collaboration between domestic and offshore teams.
• Oversee workflow to meet deadlines and deliver exceptional client experience.
• Streamline CAAS processes with clear operating procedures to boost efficiency and engagement.
• Evaluate accounting technologies and automation tools; implement solutions for accuracy and client value.
• Serve as primary contact for CAAS initiatives and performance.
• Lead, coach, and upskill staff to support growth and engagement.
• Stay current on industry trends and identify strategic growth opportunities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

QuickBooks

Job description

Who We Are

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources,best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential.

For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

About Wilson Lewis

Wilson Lewis is a growing accounting and advisory firm with offices in Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, and Gainesville, designed to make life easier for clients. Our main objective is to offer quality advisory services, personal attention, and serve as an economic guide to protect and grow your future.

At Wilson Lewis, we believe that great work begins with great people. You’ll join a firm where collaboration, professional growth, and a genuine sense of community are part of everyday life. We take pride in providing high-quality client service in a supportive, flexible environment — and we’re looking for team members who share our values of excellence, integrity, and fun. In 2025, we are a Regional Leader (Accounting Today), an Inside Public Accounting Top 500 Firm, have been recognized as a Best Place to Work in Georgia (Georgia Trend Magazine) and Atlanta (Atlanta Business Chronicle), and earned the Best of Accounting Client Satisfaction credential from ClearlyRated.

The Role

We areseekinga strategic and entrepreneurial CAAS Director to lead this growing service line, drive client success, elevate our team, and shape the future of our advisory offerings.

TheCAAS Directorwill lead the firm’s client accounting and advisory practice, driving growth through strategic resource management, operational excellence, and high-impact client service. This role combinesstrategic leadership and a strong understanding of accounting fundamentals withhands-on execution;streamlining processes, building scalable SOPs, andleveragingtechnology to enhance both client and team experiences.

The Director oversees a growing CAAS portfolio, converts qualified leads into well-scoped engagements, and ensures delivery of meaningful insights and measurable results. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, client-focused, and skilled in technical, advisory, and leadership disciplines, with a passion for developing people and transforming how businesses operate.

Key Responsibilities

Practice Management and Strategic Operations

• Manage department resources and project scheduling with data driven decision making to ensure accounts are properly staffed and aligned with demand.
• Develop and refine staffing models for core CAAS service offerings, optimizing collaboration between domestic and offshore teams.
• Oversee workflow management to meet deadlines, and deliver an exceptional client experience.
• Streamline key CAAS processes through clear and effective operating procedures that enhance efficiency, consistency, and employee engagement.
• Evaluate emerging accounting technologies and automation tools; recommend and implement solutions that improve accuracy, efficiency, and the client experience.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for firm leadership on CAAS-related initiatives and performance.

Team Leadership andCulture

• Lead, manage, and hold team members accountable to firm goals; monitorutilizationand workload to ensure consistent service quality.
• Coach, motivate, and upskill staff through ongoing feedback and performance guidance to support professional growth and engagement
• Foster a culture of strong ownership, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Conduct formal performance evaluations at least semi-annually and provide regular, constructive feedback throughout the year

Client Engagement and Business Development

• Stay current on industry trends and market opportunities toidentifystrategic growth areas and potential partnerships.
• Oversee key client relationships, ensuring timely communication, service excellence, and strategic alignment.
• Conduct prospect meetings to assess client needs and design appropriately scoped, accurately priced, long term CAAS engagements.
• Strengthen advisory relationships with clients by proactively identifying opportunities to expand services and support evolving business needs

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• 10+ years of general accounting experience
• 4+ years of experience training and supervising staff
• Deep understanding of accounting principles and advisory services.
• Strategic people leader witha track recordof building high-performing teams and driving a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and client-focused excellence.
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to identify root causes of complex issues and design practical, well-structured solutions.
• Process-oriented, with an appreciation for standard operating procedures and the ability to create and refine SOPs.
• Technologically adept, quick to learn new tools and skilled in leveraging automation and AI to optimize processes.
• Excellent communicator, both verbal and written; able to simplify complex accounting and finance concepts and uncover client needs, even when not fully articulated.
• Strong soft skills in project and time management; highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities, and skilled at turning challenges into opportunities.
• Proficient in accounting software; experience with QuickBooks preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managingoffshoreteams
• Experience in evaluating and implementing new software solutions
• Proven ability to grow a client book of business in CAAS services

What We Offer

We hire good people and give them a good place to work. Our secret to keeping them around is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and a dedication to constantly increasing our competencies. We truly believe that when you succeed, the firm succeeds, and we make sure you have whatever tools you need to make that success possible.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that supports well-being, health, and ongoing professional growth:

• Flexible PTO
• Medical, Dental, Vision, & Voluntary Insurance Options
• 401(k) Matching
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Community Involvement
• Optional Equity Program Eligibility at Sr. Manager Level + top performing Managers

We provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. We hire and promote individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.