Director of Finance & Accounting

Got Light; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401K match

PTO 15 days + holidays

Job summary

Got Light in San Francisco seeks a visionary Director of Finance & Accounting to lead our 110-person operations. You will own the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, partner with senior leadership, and ensure GAAP compliance while guiding cash flow across the business.

This role manages the accounting and payroll teams, drives system improvements and automation, and mentors staff. A CPA or MBA is preferred, with strong communication skills to translate complex data for executives.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and communication with executive audiences.
• Proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Experience with GAAP, cash flow, and financial modeling.
• Hands-on oversight of accounting operations and FP&A.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy, budgeting, and forecasting for the company.
• Oversee accounting, payroll, month-end close, and GAAP compliance.
• Manage external CPA/tax advisors and risk governance.
• Develop and monitor KPIs, dashboards, and financial metrics.
• Mentor Accounting Manager and staff; partner with leadership.
• Drive system improvements and finance automation initiatives.

Skills

Executive communication

Presentation skills

Change management

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

MBA or CPA preferred

Tools

Excel/Google Sheets

QuickBooks

ADP Workforce Now

ERP/BI software

Job description

ABOUT US:

Got Light applies a fresh approach to lighting, audio, video, staging, and drape in the special event and wedding industry. We produce hundreds of events each year including some of the most notable events in the City, including major opening parties and social galas. Our company promotes team-building and maintains high employee retention rates by consistently creating a fun and dynamic work environment.

Make Art. Have Fun. Be Proud.

ABOUT THIS JOB:

The Director of Finance & Accounting leads and oversees all financial operations of the company, including accounting, payroll, and financial planning and analysis, for an organization of approximately 110 employees. The Director is responsible for leading the company’s finance and accounting function, overseeing day-to-day financial operations while providing strategic financial leadership to ownership and executive leadership. Embracing an internal \"customer service\" model, this role combines hands-on management of financial systems and compliance with strategic analysis and forecasting to support executive decision-making and company growth.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Business Operations, the Director of Finance & Accounting partners closely with ownership, and external advisors (CPA, tax, and legal) to ensure financial accuracy, strategic alignment, and fiscal discipline across the organization.

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with ownership and executive leadership, providing financial insights and data-backed recommendations to support company goals.
• Partner with Sales, Operations, and executive leadership to analyze profitability, pricing, and key business trends, providing actionable recommendations that improve financial performance and support informed business decisions.
• Drive the annual budget planning process in partnership with the Senior Director of Business Operations and department heads, ensuring budgets align with company strategy and financial targets.
• Conduct analysis on performance, revenue mix, and cost efficiency to identify opportunities for margin improvement and develop actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Provide forward-looking financial planning, including cash flow forecasting, working capital management, analysis of capital expenditures, scenario planning, and supporting strategic planning initiatives.
• Lead monthly/annual closes, producing financial statements, and preparing cash flow projections.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to define metrics and KPIs to continually measure and track financial performance, profitability, and efficiency.

Accounting & Payroll Operations Oversight

• Overseeing day-to-day functions including AP/AR, treasury management, cash management, and bank relationships.
• Maintain oversight of payroll, vendor payments, and employee reimbursements, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
• Oversee the company’s accounting function, ensuring accurate, GAAP-compliant financial records and timely month-end/year-end closes.
• Ensure accurate client billing, revenue recognition, and expense coding to support profitability tracking.
• Utilize advanced Excel and financial modeling tools to analyze financial data, build forecasts, and support strategic decision-making.
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements prepared by the accounting team.

People Management

• Supervise and mentor an Accounting Manager and support staff, fostering clarity of roles, accountability, and professional growth.
• Represent the Finance & Accounting department as part of Got Light’s Department Heads leadership team.

Compliance, Risk, and Governance

• Manage compliance with all local, state, and federal tax obligations (sales, business, payroll, property).
• Oversee 401(k) plan administration, including contribution uploads, employer matching, and reconciliation.
• Coordinate with external CPA on income tax filings, audits, and depreciation schedules.
• Support and execute internal controls, financial policies, and risk management frameworks to safeguard company assets, mentoring team members on compliance responsibilities.
• Maintain insurance renewals and risk coverage in coordination with HR and operations teams.

Systems, Process, and Data Optimization

• Evaluate and implement financial systems and reporting tools to streamline processes, improving real-time visibility.
• Drive finance automation initiatives to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and enhance scalability, mentoring the finance team on process improvements.
• Embrace an ongoing “continuous improvements” approach to collaborating on cross‑team process improvements and recommendations with Department Head leadership and beyond.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (MBA or CPA preferred).
• Industry Experience:
  • 7‑10 years of progressive finance experience, including leadership of accounting or FP&A functions.
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP, cash flow management, and financial modeling.
• Technical Skills
  • Proven ability to oversee both day‑to‑day accounting operations and high‑level strategic planning.
  • Skilled in Excel/Google Sheets modeling and familiar with tools such as QuickBooks, ADP Workforce Now, and modern ERP or BI software.
• Soft Skills & Competencies
  • Executive communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to translate complex financial data for non‑financial audiences
  • Change management skills
  • Proactive, highly organized, detail‑oriented, team‑driven, systems thinker

WHAT WE OFFER:

• A dynamic and creative work environment within a thriving event production company.
• Opportunities for growth and development in a high‑energy industry.
• Competitive pay and benefits package
  • 15 days PTO per year plus paid holidays.
  • Medical, dental, vision, and chiropractic benefits.
  • For qualified employees, we currently offer a matching 401K.
• A collaborative team culture where your contributions directly impact the success of our events.

SCHEDULE:

• M-F: 9am-5pm, in person at Got Light’s San Francisco office.

COMPENSATION:

• $150,000 - $175,000 per year

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT:

• Following a conditional offer of employment, Got Light conducts a routine background check in compliance with the California Fair Chance Act.

Got Light is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, protected medical condition or any other basis as defined by state, federal or local law. Got Light provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in both the hiring process and during employment as required by applicable federal, state and local laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment any qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.