Chief Accounting Officer

Financial Services Organization

Cambridge, Massachusetts

OVERVIEW

An entrepreneurial, diversified financial services company providing investment, accounting/tax, philanthropic, business support, and strategic planning services to high net worth families seeks a Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) to lead its exceptional finance department. This highly creative organization provides extraordinary service to meet the very particular needs of its exacting and demanding clients. Working in the style of private bankers and trust officers, the organization is relied upon to provide independent advice and to protect long-term interests of clients as they navigate the transaction driven world of asset management.

The finance department coordinates outsourced services from world-class accounting firms with internal tax/accounting staff. This combined professional team provides comprehensive, multi-generational tax planning, filing, management services for income, gift/estate, and sales tax issues for individuals, trusts, investment partnerships, nonprofits, and operating companies. This intimately-sized organization maintains an exceptional personal service focus while delivering outstanding technical expertise through its world-class team of professionals.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The CAO is responsible for the comprehensive oversight and management of all financial and accounting operations for a small holding company serving a diverse group of businesses, trusts, and individuals. This includes establishing and maintaining accounting standards, principles, practices and procedures, executing and supervising special projects for clients, leading strategic planning for the finance group, and managing relationships with numerous external service providers including CPAs and consultants. This includes serving as human resources liaison to the firm’s Professional Employment Organization. The CAO will lead day-to-day finance operations, supervising and managing finance staff in the performance of trust and partnership accounting, execution of charitable donations and cash transfers, and preparation of financial statements, tax information, and estimated tax payments for individuals, trusts, and partnership entities. This position will also direct multiple complex special projects ensuring compliance to business requirements and deadlines and reviewing work for accuracy, completeness, and suitability of presentation. In addition, the CAO will manage hands-on development of personal financial statements, budgets, and cash flow analysis for a group of high net worth individuals. Other duties include oversight of data management for use in maintaining accounting and statistical records and financial operations management of treasury functions. Early morning, evening and weekend work is required at times throughout the year as needed. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Entrepreneurial self-starter capable of working with minimal supervision

• Proven management track record with demonstrated ability to manage finance/accounting staff and complex projects

• Team player comfortable with sharing information and collaborating with and supporting colleagues in completing large and/or complex projects

• Accepts ownership, is responsible and dependable, and has an exceptional work ethic

• Effectively supervise staff and set goals and expectations for staff, resetting when necessary

• Provides clear instruction and monitors progress of projects and assignments to ensure goals are achieved

• Successfully manages projects with an exceptional focus on project follow-through and the ability and understanding needed to thoroughly document projects through to completion and efficient close

• Keen organizational skills including strong capacity to create and manage project tracking systems

• Exceptional detail orientation needed to maintain 100% accuracy in all reports

• Highly trusted by friends, family, and colleagues

• Comfortable working with highly confidential information (i.e. trade secrets, personal financial information, banking information)

• Enjoys work in a fast-paced environment and is able to multi-task and successfully manage the demands of multiple projects and deadlines

• Flexible in response to the dynamic needs of the business

• Possesses a collegial and positive outlook and the humor, patience and flexibility necessary to address the needs of an intimately-sized, entrepreneurial organization

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field

• CPA or CMA required

• Advanced Degree preferred

• Minimum of 8-12 years of current or recent accounting, business consulting, and/or management experience with a background in public accounting assurance and/or management consulting services preferred with knowledge in taxation of individuals, trusts, and partnerships preferred

• Extensive knowledge of financial accounting and reporting rules, regulations, and requirements

• General core knowledge of trusts and estates desired

• Strong ability to communicate technically with diverse individuals regarding financial matters

• Proficiency in accounting software accounting as well as common office software and the ability to learn technology quickly

• Experience with personal financial statements, budgeting, and cash flow analysis

• Knowledge of payroll
   

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS:

Screening and interviewing of qualified applicants will begin immediately. Due to the pace of the search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications -  including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word or pdf format), salary history, and where you learned of the position -  should be sent to: 

anon-cao@nonprofitprofessionals.com.  In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

This organization is an equal opportunity employer.