Director, Accounting Operations

McKinstry Company; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 130,300 - 196,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off and holidays

Comprehensive medical, dental, and 401

Job summary

McKinstry, Seattle, WA, seeks a Director, Accounting Operations to lead Accounts Receivable and Payable, drive performance, working capital, internal controls, and scalable service delivery. This role is a bench leader for the Controller organization, developing future Finance & Accounting leaders.

Responsibilities include establishing KPIs, guiding ERP updates, building a high-performing team, and partnering across finance and operations to improve cash flow and governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration; CPA required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance operations leadership experience.
• 5+ years managing people leadership; strong senior-team development.
• Experience with GAAP, project-based accounting, and P2P processes.

Responsibilities

• Own Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable operations, including billing, collections, cash application, vendor management, and payments.
• Establish KPIs, service levels, and rhythms to drive performance and working capital results.
• Translate requirements into processes, controls, and readiness plans for evolving needs.
• Lead risk resolution and strengthen internal controls and governance.
• Provide ERP implementation leadership and ongoing updates including training and go-live support.

Skills

Strategic leadership

KPIs & process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

CPA

Tools

ERP systems

Accounts payable software

Job description

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

We are currently seeking a Director, Accounting Operations to join our Accounting and Payroll team in Seattle, WA. This position is responsible for leading Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable operations, driving operational performance, working capital results, internal controls, and scalable service delivery. Serves as a critical leadership bench role for the Controller organization, responsible for developing future Finance & Accounting leaders and strengthening operational governance across Accounting Operations. Ensures efficient and effective transactional operations, develops and strengthens leadership capability, and continually assesses and improves the team's structure, processes, and operating discipline to support long-term growth. Additional responsibilities include:

Operational Leadership & Performance

• Own Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable operations, including billing, collections, cash application, accounts payable, subcontract invoicing, vendor management, payments, and P-Card administration.

• Establish priorities, service levels, KPIs, and operating rhythms to drive operational performance, working capital results, and accountability.

• Translate business requirements into processes, controls, and operational readiness plans to ensure Accounting Operations can effectively support evolving business needs.

• Lead resolution of operational issues and risks impacting cash flow, controls, customer and vendor experience, and business performance.

• Provide Accounting Operations leadership for ERP implementation and ongoing updates, including supporting process design, testing, UAT, readiness, training, and go-live support.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build and develop a high-performing management team responsible for day-to-day execution across Accounting Operations.

• Define ownership, decision rights, and accountability to strengthen execution and leadership effectiveness.

• Develop managers and future leaders capable of independently leading operational performance, service delivery, and team development.

• Build succession plans and organizational capability across transactional accounting functions.

Controls, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure operational processes operate within a strong internal control framework and remain audit-ready.

• Identify operational, compliance, and control risks and implement sustainable solutions.

• Partner with Corporate Accounting and External Audit to support audits, remediation efforts, and process discipline.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Business Partnership

• Partner with Line of Business Operations and Project Management, as well as various Corporate Service Units such as Treasury, Procurement, IT, Enterprise Project Management, and other areas of Finance and Accounting to improve operational and financial outcomes.

• Lead initiatives that improve cash flow, service levels, operational efficiency, and business performance.

• Serve as the Accounting Operations lead for business initiatives impacting Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, ensuring organizational readiness and successful adoption.
  

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; CPA required.

• 10+ years of progressive accounting, finance operations, or shared services leadership experience, including leadership of large transactional accounting organizations through managers and people leaders.

• 5+ Years as a manager of people leader.

• Public accounting audit experience preferred, with exposure to internal controls, financial reporting, compliance, and process improvement.

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, project-based accounting operations, construction and service billing, collections, Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes, working capital management, internal controls, and audit requirements.

• Experience leading accounting operations in complex project-based environments with diverse contract structures, subcontractor invoicing and payment workflows, decentralized stakeholders, and high-volume transactional activity.

• Demonstrated success building high-performing management teams, strengthening leadership capability, addressing organizational gaps, and driving operational performance through leaders.

• Experience establishing KPI frameworks, operating rhythms, accountability structures, and performance management practices that improve service delivery, operational effectiveness, and business results.

• Strong leadership, executive presence, communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional influencing skills.

• Proven ability to lead through growth, organizational complexity, change, and operational challenges while maintaining focus on execution, customer service, controls, and business outcomes.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and risk management capabilities.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $130,300 - $196,900 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.

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