Director of Finance & Accounting

Hello Innovation•Detroit, MI

19h

About The Position

Hello Innovation is seeking a highly driven Director of Finance & Accounting to lead its finance and accounting department and shape the company's financial future. This role reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for the integrity of the company's books, providing insights for major business decisions, and building the team, systems, and financial strategy to protect cash, ensure profitable growth, and allocate resources effectively. The ideal candidate will be an AI-native leader who leverages AI and automation to improve efficiency, accuracy, and forecasting. This position requires a strategic thinker who can see the big picture, dive into details, and roll up their sleeves to get the work done. The role involves challenging existing processes and implementing innovative solutions to eliminate busywork and allow the team to focus on impactful problems. A hunger for learning, building, and making a significant impact is essential.

Requirements

8+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including 3+ years leading the function as a Director, Controller or Head of Finance.
Accountable for both the numbers and the team behind them.
AI-native and have used AI to speed up a close, automate reconciliations, sharpen a forecast or cut hours of busywork.
Solid accounting fundamentals.
Ability to build accurate books, reliable reporting and practical controls.
Systems thinker who lives to streamline operations.
Experience leading small, scrappy teams.
Ability to challenge leadership when the numbers call for it and explain them to anyone without hiding behind jargon.

Nice To Haves

A CPA or CMA certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own finance and accounting, end to end.
Set the department’s priorities, build and develop the team, and hold internal and external partners accountable for accurate, timely work.
Shape our financial future.
Partner directly with the CEO on financial strategy, resource allocation and business reinvestment decisions.
Translate company goals into actionable financial plans and KPIs that tell us whether we’re winning.
Keep the books accurate and the close on track.
Own the general ledger, reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, and the monthly and year-end close.
Deliver timely, reliable financial statements and management reporting.
Turn financial insight into action.
Lead budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning.
Explain what’s driving performance, surface risks early and identify opportunities to improve margins, reduce waste and grow profitably.
Protect and put our cash to work.
Own cash flow forecasting, liquidity planning and working capital.
Make clear recommendations on how to allocate cash across business priorities, manage financial risk and maximize the value of our resources.
Build an AI-first finance function.
Redesign workflows across accounting, reporting and planning using AI and automation.
Prioritize improvements that reduce manual effort, shorten turnaround times and improve accuracy—and measure the results.
Make speed and rigor work together.
Establish clear standards for data quality, confidential information, access and review of AI-assisted work.
Keep financial outputs traceable to source records and maintain appropriate human approval for payments, accounting entries and other consequential decisions.
Build infrastructure that can keep up.
Own the finance systems, processes and controls that support our growth.
Connect data across the business so leaders can get dependable answers without a scramble.
Stay ahead of tax and compliance.
Own the tax calendar and coordinate with external specialists to meet filing and reporting requirements, support tax planning and keep records ready for review.
Own the financial side of compensation and benefits.
Oversee payroll accuracy, compensation planning and benefits costs, partnering with the people responsible for HR and benefits administration.