Chief Accounting Officer

CohnReznick; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

CohnReznick is seeking a Chief Accounting Officer to join our finance leadership team in a hybrid role. The right candidate will direct financial close, technical accounting, and external audit relationships, while shaping controls and processes for a PE-backed platform.

The successful candidate will pair CPA credentials with Big 4 training, lead an accounting team, and collaborate with the CFO on strategy and reporting to investors and the Board.

Qualifications

• CPA certification required.
• Big 4 or top national firm audit training as a foundation.

Responsibilities

• Financial close and reporting end to end.
• Technical accounting in complex areas (revenue, combinations, PE structures).
• External audit and compliance management with auditors and board.
• Build and improve controls for a PE-backed platform.
• Lead M&A and post-close integration accounting.
• Recruit, develop, and retain an accounting team.
• Partner with FP&A and IT on ERP and close-automation.
• Serve as a load-bearing partner to the CFO on technical accounting and audit strategy.

Skills

CPA

Education

CPA certification

Job description

As CohnReznick grows, so do our career opportunities. As one of the nation’s top professional services firms, CohnReznick creates rewarding careers in advisory, assurance, and tax with team members who value innovation and collaboration in everything they do!

CohnReznick helps organizations optimize performance, manage risk, and maximize value through CohnReznick LLP (assurance services) and CohnReznick Advisory LLC (advisory and tax services). Together, the firm provides leaders with deep industry knowledge and relationships, solutions to address clients’ unique business goals and risks, and insight on how emerging market forces can drive opportunity. With offices nationwide, the firm serves organizations around the world as an independent member of Nexia.

We currently have an exciting career opportunity for aChief Accounting Officer to join thefirm.

CohnReznick is a hybrid firm and most of our professionals are located within a commutable distance to one of our offices. This position is considered hybrid which means team members are expected to be thoughtful and intentional in how they create opportunities for in-person collaboration. While the cadence of in-office presence is determined at the team level, our professionals are encouraged to be in the office/together in person on average 3 days a week.

YOUR TEAM.

CohnReznick is looking for a Chief Accounting Officer who can operate as the technical and operational backbone of the finance organization. This is a build-and-elevate mandate across talent, systems, and processes for a firm operating with private equity ownership and the reporting rigor, deal cadence, and growth trajectory that comes with it. The right person will have both the technical depth to get into the weeds of complex accounting and the executive presence to sit across the table from the CFO, the deal team, and external stakeholders as a peer.

WHY COHNREZNICK?

At CohnReznick, we’re united by a common mission to create opportunity, value, and trust for our clients, our people, and our communities. Whether it’s working alongside your peers to solve a client challenge, or volunteering together at the local food bank, there are so many ways to find your “why” at the firm.

We believe it’s important to balance work with everyday life – and make time for enjoyment and fun. We invest in a robust Total Rewards package that includes everything from generous PTO, a flexible work environment, expanded parental leave, extensive learning & development, and even paid time off for employees to volunteer.

YOUR ROLE.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Financial close and reporting. Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process end to end. Accuracy, speed, and a control environment that holds up to scrutiny from auditors, lenders, and equity investors.
• Technical accounting. Serve as the firm's authority on complex and judgment-heavy areas. Revenue recognition, business combinations, partnership/equity accounting, and PE-specific structures.
• External audit and compliance. Be the primary relationship owner with external auditors; manage the annual audit to a clean, efficient outcome with no surprises for the CFO or the Board.
• Controls and process. Build and continuously improve a control environment appropriate for a PE-backed platform, with an eye toward future transaction readiness (refinancing, add-on M&A, eventual exit).
• M&A and integration accounting. Lead purchase accounting, opening balance sheets, and post-close integration for acquisitions.
• Team leadership. Recruit, develop, and retain a high-caliber accounting team.
• Systems and scalability. Partner with FP&A and IT on ERP and close-automation investments that let the accounting function scale without linearly scaling headcount.
• Partner to the CFO. Be a direct, candid, load-bearing counterpart to the CFO on anything requiring technical accounting judgment, audit strategy, or Board/Audit Committee materials.

YOUR EXPERIENCE.

The successful candidate will have:

• CPA, required. Big 4 or top national firm audit training as a foundation — ideally with time spent in a technical accounting or National Office capacity.