Finance Process Optimization & Automation Consultant

Vaco; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 131,000; Part time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking a hands-on Finance Process Optimization & Automation Consultant to lead documenting, optimizing, and automating key accounting and finance processes. Hybrid role in Union Square, Manhattan, three days onsite with a temporary engagement model.

You’ll guide end-to-end initiatives across documentation, mapping, and automation, partnering with AP, AR, GL, Payroll, and Treasury teams. The ideal candidate combines strong finance process knowledge with experience in automation, RPA, and

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience documenting and improving finance processes.
• Experience implementing automation (RPA, AI/genAI) in finance contexts.
• Ability to translate opportunities into implemented processes and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Process Documentation: document current-state processes, SOPs, policies, and procedures across AP, AR, Payroll, GL, Treasury.
• Process Mapping: create end-to-end process maps, flowcharts, and swimlane diagrams using Visio or Lucidchart.
• Process Optimization: identify bottlenecks, redundancies, manual steps, control gaps, and standardization opportunities.
• Automation & AI: identify and implement opportunities to automate manual finance processes with workflow tools, system enhancements, RPA, AI/GenAI.
• End-to-End Implementation: drive improvements from assessment through design and implementation.
• Controls & Compliance: maintain internal controls and audit readiness.
• Change Management: develop user guides and training for new processes and tech adoption.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: collaborate with Accounting, Finance, IT and stakeholders to ensure scalable solutions.

Skills

Process optimization

Automation

Finance knowledge

Documentation

Tools

Visio

Lucidchart

Job description

Job Title: Finance Process Optimization & Automation Consultant

Pay Rate: $80-95/hour

Location: Union Square, Manhattan- Hybrid, 3 days/week onsite

Engagement: Temporary Consulting Engagement, month-to-month with possibility of extension

Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Finance Process Optimization & Automation Consultant to lead an end-to-end initiative focused on documenting, improving, and ultimately automating key accounting and finance processes.

The engagement will progress through three phases:

Phase 1 - Documentation

Phase 2 - Process Optimization

Phase 3 - Automation & AI

The ideal consultant combines strong accounting/finance process knowledge with demonstrated experience in process improvement, workflow optimization, automation, and emerging AI capabilities. This individual must be comfortable independently assessing current-state processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and driving solutions through implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Documentation: Partner with subject matter experts across AP, AR, Payroll, General Ledger, Treasury, and other finance functions to document current-state processes, SOPs, policies, and procedures.
• Process Mapping: Develop detailed end-to-end process maps, flowcharts, and swimlane diagrams using tools such as Visio or Lucidchart.
• Process Optimization: Assess existing finance and accounting workflows to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, manual processes, control gaps, and opportunities for standardization and improvement.
• Automation & AI: Identify and implement opportunities to automate manual finance processes through workflow tools, systems enhancements, RPA, AI/GenAI, or other technology solutions.
• End-to-End Implementation: Translate identified improvement opportunities into actionable solutions and independently drive initiatives from assessment and design through implementation.
• Controls & Compliance: Ensure redesigned processes maintain appropriate internal controls, segregation of duties, and audit readiness.
• Change Management: Develop user guides, training materials, and updated procedures to support adoption of new processes, technologies, and automated workflows.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with Accounting, Finance, Financial Systems, IT, and other stakeholders to ensure process and technology solutions are practical, scalable, and sustainable.

Ideal Background

• Strong experience in finance/accounting transformation, process optimization, or business process improvement.
• Hands-on experience assessing and improving processes across areas such as AP, AR, GL/close, Payroll, and Treasury.
• Demonstrated experience implementing automation, workflow technology, RPA, AI/GenAI, or similar process-enhancement solutions within Finance or Accounting.
• Strong experience creating SOPs, process documentation, process maps, and workflow diagrams.
• Ability to understand accounting processes, controls, systems, and data flows from both a functional and technical perspective.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to independently drive an initiative from current-state assessment through implementation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interview SMEs, challenge existing processes, and partner effectively with both finance and technical stakeholders.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application.

For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring's discussions with its Client, Highspring's understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (\"we,\" \"our,\" or \"Vaco by Highspring\") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.