Director of Finance

GHJ•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$225,000 - $275,000•Hybrid

About The Position

GHJ Search and Staffing serves as the recruitment division of GHJ, a prominent national accounting and advisory firm. Our team provides qualified Accounting and Finance professionals on a temporary and permanent basis across a broad range of industries. GHJâs relationship with our Global Advisory and Accounting Network provides the resources needed to better understand clientâs needs, attract a higher caliber of candidates and assess candidate potential. GHJ is looking for a Director of Finance WHY we get up in the morning At GHJ we help our people and clients pursue their passions, build thriving businesses, and create a better future. WHAT we believe We believe that collaboration is the foundation for success. We work as a business advocate for our clients â providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for the future. HOW we succeed We are deeply committed to our core values of Bright Minds, Brave Hearts and Bold Actions and incorporate them into every aspect of our business. By living these values, we are able to meet our strategic objectives of Remaining Fiercely Independent (financial success), Meeting client demands/needs (client success), Reinforcing and expanding cultural distinction (people success). Summary of Role: We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Finance to lead the firmâs financial operations and help scale our growing professional services organization. This role will oversee all accounting and finance functions while serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership. The Director of Finance will ensure financial integrity, drive operational excellence, lead system evaluations and implementations, and build a high-performing finance team that supports the firmâs continued growth across multiple states. This is a hybrid position based in Downtown Los Angeles, requiring onsite presence at least three times per week (subject to change). Seven decades, overriding focus: our people and our clients. GHJ was founded in 1953, making us one of the oldest independent firms in the Los Angeles area. Ranked as a top 20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journalâs Book of Lists, the firm has 24 partners and approximately 200 staff members that serve over 3,000 clients. Our firm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), Public Company Accounting Oversite Board (PCAOB), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CAN). Collaboration and maintaining strong relationships are the cornerstones of our success. We are also an independent member of HLB International, a worldwide organization of over 250 member professional accounting firms and business advisors. This affiliation gives us access to the subject matter experts of other member firms and provides consulting and professional services in over 158 countries through its nearly 800 offices worldwide. GHJ complies with all local/state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, ranges, applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications (e.g. JD, technology), for example. At GHJ, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: $225,000-$275,000.

Requirements

Bachelorâs degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
10â15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience.
Experience supporting a growing organization with operations in multiple states.
Extensive experience leading financial system evaluations and implementations.
Strong knowledge of GAAP, partnership accounting, and financial reporting standards.
Advanced analytical skills and proficiency in financial reporting tools, including Power BI.
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and scale financial infrastructure.
Excellent leadership, communication, and executive presence.
Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Proven experience in managing budgets, financial forecasting, and financial analysis.

Nice To Haves

CPA certification is strongly preferred.
Prior experience within a CPA firm or professional services environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee all day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger, reconciliations, and month-end close.
Direct general ledger accounting, collections, financial reporting, annual audits, payroll, accounts payable, and internal controls.
Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements, forecasts, and management reports.
Oversee accrual-to-cash accounting conversion at year-end.
Manage partnership accounting, including tax return lead schedule preparation.
Develop and manage annual budgets and forecasts; monitor performance against budget.
Prepare and present financial analyses to executive leadership and partners, including profit center allocations, realization reports, and budget vs. actual analysis.
Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the executive leadership team.
Lead long-term financial planning aligned with firm growth initiatives.
Develop financial models and scenario analysis to support expansion, hiring strategy, and investment decisions.
Provide forward-looking insights to guide pricing strategy, service line profitability, and capital allocation.
Identify and drive performance improvement initiatives across the firm.
Oversee financial compliance across a multi-state footprint.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including 1099s, property tax statements, sales tax filings, payroll compliance, and bank reporting.
Monitor and adapt to evolving accounting regulations and standards.
Develop scalable financial processes and controls to support continued geographic and operational expansion.
Lead evaluation, selection, and implementation of financial systems and reporting tools.
Oversee system upgrades, conversions, and integration projects from planning through full implementation.
Partner cross-functionally to ensure successful change management and adoption.
Leverage technology and business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI) to enhance reporting capabilities and operational efficiency.
Ensure data integrity, security, and process automation within financial systems.
Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting and finance team.
Build a cohesive, high-performing team culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
Establish clear roles, succession planning, and professional development pathways.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and performance management within the finance function.
Foster strong collaboration between finance and operational leadership.
Develop and maintain robust internal control systems to safeguard firm assets.
Conduct financial risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
Strengthen governance practices and improve financial transparency across the organization.