Fractional CFO

Snatch | Accounting & Finance Headhunters; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Snatch | Accounting & Finance Headhunters is seeking a seasoned Fractional CFO / Financial Controller to lead and scale an accounting services team for a growing US firm. This role focuses on building scalable operations, delivering high-quality financial reporting, and driving performance across multiple client portfolios.

The ideal candidate will oversee US payroll, sales tax, and SOX-like controls while collaborating with senior leadership to support growth and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Qualified CA(SA) or CGMA is required.
• Minimum 7 years accounting experience with 2+ years in leadership.
• Proven ability to build and develop accounting teams in professional services.
• Strong bookkeeping, financial reporting, and end-to-end processes.
• Hands-on US payroll processing and US sales tax knowledge across states.
• Experience with client portfolios, pricing, and delivering multi-client engagements.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks Online, Excel, and MS Office.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale the accounting services team, including recruitment and coaching.
• Oversee end-to-end bookkeeping, financial statements, and reporting quality.
• Manage US sales tax processes and filings across states.
• Supervise US payroll, tax filings, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop SOPs to improve efficiency and scalability of processes.
• Optimize workflows, review controls, and improve turnaround times.
• Manage capacity, budgets, and engagement profitability.
• Oversee client engagements, scoping, pricing, and expectations.
• Foster strong client relationships and provide financial guidance.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

US tax knowledge

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Process improvement

Problem solving

Team development

Education

CA(SA) or CGMA

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Microsoft Office

Advanced Excel

Job description

Lead and scale an accounting services team within a growing US firm

Role Overview

A growing accounting firm based in Southern California is seeking an experienced Fractional CFO / Financial Controller to lead and develop its accounting services team. This is an opportunity to join an ambitious, high-growth firm and play a key role in building scalable operations, improving service delivery, and driving team performance.

The successful candidate will oversee the delivery of accounting and financial reporting services across a diverse client portfolio, while taking ownership of team development, operational efficiency, and process improvements. Working closely with senior leadership, you will help establish the systems, structures, and processes required to support the firm's continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing accounting services team, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, and accounting services across multiple client portfolios.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and quality of financial reporting while managing deadlines and production workflows.
• Oversee US sales tax processes, including sales tax calculations, compliance, and the preparation and filing of sales tax returns.
• Manage and review US payroll processes, including payroll calculations, payroll tax filings, and compliance with relevant federal and state regulations.
• Develop, document, and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes, strengthen review procedures, and improve turnaround times.
• Manage team capacity, production schedules, budgets, and engagement profitability to maximise operational performance.
• Oversee client engagements, including scoping, pricing, deliverables, and expectation management.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing financial insights and guidance to support business decisions.
• Monitor accounting quality, identify reporting risks, and implement improvements to maintain high service standards.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic initiatives to support the firm's continued growth and expansion.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified CA(SA) or CGMA
• Minimum of 7 years' accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a team leadership or management role.
• Proven experience building, managing, and developing accounting teams within a professional services environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, and end-to-end accounting processes.
• Practical experience with US sales tax, including sales tax compliance, calculations, and filing requirements across relevant states.
• Hands-on experience with US payroll processing and payroll tax compliance, including federal and state payroll requirements and associated filings.
• Experience managing multiple client portfolios, deliverables, and competing deadlines.
• Experience working with not-for-profit, real estate development, and construction entities.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing SOPs, improving workflows, and building scalable accounting processes.
• Experience managing bill payment systems and overseeing accounting production cycles.
• Strong understanding of budgets, engagement profitability, capacity planning, and operational performance.
• Experience managing client engagements, including scoping, pricing, and expectation setting.
• High proficiency in QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Office, and advanced Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify reporting errors and improve financial processes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the confidence to engage directly with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Experience in financial analysis, management reporting, corporate finance, and risk management would be advantageous.