Director of Accounting Services

SustainableHR PEO & Recruiting; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health savings account

401(k) with employer matching

Paid time off

Job summary

SustainableHR PEO & Recruiting seeks a Director of Client Accounting to lead client accounting services, improve internal operations, and guide the team toward repeatable processes.

This hands-on leadership role combines accounting judgement with automation and AI, and requires collaboration with business owners. Hybrid work in Madison/Milwaukee or Chicago, IL.

The right candidate will oversee month-end close, reconciliations, onboarding, and system enhancements using NetSuite.

Qualifications

• At least six years of accounting experience, including public accounting or CAS.
• Strong knowledge of month-end close, reconciliations, and accrual‑basis accounting.
• Proficient in Excel or Google Sheets.
• Ability to translate financial data into practical guidance for owners.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quality, timeliness, and consistency of client accounting services.
• Manage month-end close, reconciliations, and accrual‑basis accounting for assigned clients.
• Review financial information, investigate discrepancies, and apply sound accounting judgment.
• Work directly with business owners, translating financial information into clear guidance.
• Identify service issues and drive solutions.
• Improve systems and workflows with templates, integrations, and automation.
• Lead onboarding and cleanup projects for new clients using NetSuite.
• Evaluate practical uses of AI to support workflows and operations.
• Document successful improvements into repeatable processes.

Skills

Six years accounting experience

Public accounting or CAS experience

Excel or Google Sheets

Explain accounting concepts clearly

Tools

NetSuite

Zapier

Make

AI tools

Job description

Director of Client Accounting & Operations

Location: Madison, WI; Milwaukee, WI; or Chicago, IL

Work Arrangement: Hybrid — candidates must reside in one of these metropolitan areas and be available for in-person work in Madison.

Salary: $105,000–$140,000 annually

Job Type: Full-time

Help Shape a Growing Accounting Firm

Our client, a growing, technology-focused CPA firm, is seeking a Director of Client Accounting to strengthen client accounting services, improve internal operations, and help the team work more efficiently.

This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys solving problems, working directly with business owners, and turning cumbersome processes into practical, repeatable systems. You’ll combine strong accounting judgment with an interest in automation, AI, and better ways of delivering client service.

Success in this role means delivering accurate financial information while improving how the work gets done. You’ll have the opportunity to influence processes, strengthen systems, and help shape the firm’s continued growth.

What You’ll Do

Lead Client Accounting and Service Delivery

• Oversee the quality, timeliness, and consistency of client accounting services.
• Manage month-end close, reconciliations, and accrual‑basis accounting for an assigned group of clients.
• Review financial information, investigate discrepancies, and apply sound judgment to accounting questions.
• Work directly with business owners and their teams, translating financial information into clear, practical guidance.
• Identify service issues and follow through on solutions.

Improve Systems and Operations

• Identify repetitive tasks and develop more efficient approaches through templates, standardized processes, integrations, and automation.
• Improve the team’s use of NetSuite, including reporting, dashboards, workflows, and account setups.
• Lead the systems and accounting setup aspects of new client onboarding and cleanup projects.
• Evaluate and implement practical uses of AI to support accounting workflows and internal operations.
• Turn successful improvements into documented processes the team can use consistently.

Support Team Development

• Provide guidance on accounting processes, systems, and client service.
• Train team members on new tools and workflows.
• Help establish clear expectations and consistent standards for client deliverables.
• Partner with firm leadership to prioritize operational improvements as the business grows.

What You Bring

• At least six years of accounting experience, including experience in public accounting or client accounting services (CAS).
• Strong knowledge of month‑end close, reconciliations, and accrual‑basis accounting.
• Sound judgment when reviewing financial data and resolving accounting issues.
• A proactive approach to identifying problems, developing solutions, and putting improvements into practice.
• An interest in automation and efficiency, with examples of processes you’ve improved.
• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills.
• The ability to explain accounting concepts clearly to business owners without a finance background.
• Comfort balancing hands‑on accounting responsibilities with client communication and operational improvements.

Helpful Experience

• NetSuite experience, particularly with reporting, dashboards, workflows, or implementations.
• Experience using Zapier, Make, AI tools, or similar technology to improve business processes.
• Experience supervising staff, reviewing work, or training colleagues.
• Experience supporting client onboarding, accounting cleanups, or system transitions.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary of $105,000–$140,000, based on experience.
• Hybrid work arrangement with work‑from‑home flexibility.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings account.
• Life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer matching.
• Paid time off.

If you enjoy accounting, client relationships, and finding better ways to work, this role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on a growing firm and the businesses it serves.