Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

CardWorks • Woodbury, MN

1d • $270,000 - $320,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) is the senior executive responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and governance of all accounting and financial reporting across CardWorks, Inc., with enterprise-wide impact and strategic oversight that includes supporting Merrick Bank, our banking subsidiary and two other servicing subsidiaries. Reporting directly to the EVP & Chief Financial Officer, this role provides executive leadership over accounting operations, technical accounting, financial reporting, consolidation, accounting policy governance, and internal control frameworks including SOX compliance responsibilities. Ideally, the qualified candidate will work at the Woodbury, Long Island or NYC office. A hybrid work model or fully remote model can be considered based on hiring manager decision and priorities of the role. The CAO plays a critical leadership role in advising senior executives, guiding the financial control environment, and ensuring readiness for increasing regulatory, audit, and governance expectations. The role is directly responsible for future SEC reporting (including Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K, as applicable) and the establishment of scalable disclosure processes and controls.

Requirements

• Master’s in accounting or related field required
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) required.
• 15+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience, including experience leading accounting, reporting, and controls for complex, multi‑entity organizations
• Demonstrated experience leading IPO readiness and/or public-company financial reporting, including SEC reporting, audit readiness, and SOX/ICFR program maturity.
• Working knowledge of SEC rules and financial reporting requirements (e.g., Regulation S-X / S-K concepts), including ability to partner effectively with Legal and external advisors on disclosure matters.
• Prior leadership of technical accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls functions in complex organizations required.
• Deep expertise in US GAAP, accounting policy, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Strong executive leadership presence with the ability to influence and partner effectively at all levels, including CFO, CEO, and Audit Committee.
• Experienced in managing external auditors and advising Audit Committee leadership on accounting judgments, audit status, emerging issues, and remediation plans.
• Proven ability to build and scale SEC reporting and disclosure processes, including coordination across Accounting, Legal, FP&A, Tax, Internal Audit, and external advisors.
• Track record of executing against aggressive timelines in high-accountability environments (e.g., IPO readiness, complex audits, control remediation, and major reporting milestones).
• Proven ability to lead large, complex accounting organizations with operational excellence and strategic foresight.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage risk, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions in high‑stakes, time‑sensitive environments.
• Skilled in organizational transformation, modernization, and system-driven improvements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Commitment to integrity, transparency, and high ethical standards.

Nice To Haves

• Big Four public accounting experience, strongly preferred
• Experience within financial services or banking environments preferred

Responsibilities

• Accounting & Financial Reporting Leadership Provide executive oversight and strategic direction across all enterprise accounting and financial reporting activities.
• Lead the accounting function, responsible for operational execution across general ledger accounting, close processes, AP/AR, payroll, SOX/ICFR execution, and financial reporting production.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of financial information across all entities
• Establish and maintain a scalable accounting operating model aligned with business growth and regulatory expectations.
• Technical Accounting, and Controls Governance Serve as Chief Accounting Officer with executive accountability for financial statement integrity, accounting policies, and accounting standards.
• Provide governance, design, and oversight of the Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR)/SOX framework, including monitoring program performance, escalation of deficiencies, and oversight of remediation activities managed operationally by the VP, Accounting & Financial Reporting.
• Lead technical accounting, interpretation of complex accounting issues, development of accounting policies, and preparation for SEC reporting requirements
• Establish and lead the external reporting and disclosure process, including ownership of the reporting calendar, disclosure checklists, and cross-functional coordination to produce high-quality filings and supporting schedules.
• Design and oversee disclosure controls and procedures (DCP), including a scalable disclosure committee cadence, certification/sub-certification process, and documentation to support executive certifications and public-company governance expectations.
• Oversee accounting and reporting readiness for equity and share-based compensation, including valuation coordination, required disclosures, and earnings-per-share (EPS) considerations as applicable.
• Provide accounting leadership for acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments, including purchase accounting, integration accounting considerations, and coordination with valuation specialists and external advisors.
• Partner with Tax leadership (internal and external) to ensure appropriate accounting for income taxes, coordination of provision-related processes, and completeness of tax-related disclosures required and ongoing reporting.
• Partner with the CFO, Legal, Internal Audit, Risk, and external auditors to ensure alignment, transparency, and strong governance across the financial control environment, including disclosure controls.
• External Auditor Management Serve as the executive lead and primary point of contact for external auditors, including audit planning, quarterly review coordination, annual audit execution, and timely issue resolution.
• Oversee the audit timeline, deliverables, and growth activities, including coordination across Accounting, Finance, Legal, Internal Audit, and third-party advisors.
• Ensure the quality and completeness of audit support, including accounting memos, significant estimates and judgments, and documentation needed to support audit and regulatory inquiries.
• Partner with the CFO and Audit Committee to provide transparency on audit status, emerging issues, and remediation plans; support Audit Committee materials and presentations.
• Enterprise Leadership, Strategy, and Governance Act as a senior financial executive contributing to enterprise strategy, decision‑making, and risk management across business units.
• Provide leadership and accounting expertise in support of cross‑functional initiatives, system changes, regulatory reviews, and new product or operational ventures.
• Prepare and present materials for Audit Committee and executive leadership related to accounting, controls, financial reporting quality, and emerging issues.
• Ensure alignment of accounting policies, internal controls, and reporting standards.
• Systems, Automation, and Future-State Transformation Provide executive sponsorship for modernization of accounting systems, financial data architecture, and automation initiatives.
• Collaborate with the technology/data partners to drive system enhancements, streamline close processes, and improve data governance and reporting accuracy.
• Promote use of technology and automation to increase scalability, reduce manual processes, and enhance financial transparency.
• People Leadership & Organizational Development Build and mentor a high‑performing accounting leadership team with effective succession planning, talent assessment, and organizational capability development.
• Establish a culture of excellence, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement across all accounting functions.
• Lead performance management, coaching, hiring, and organizational design decisions for direct reports and downstream teams.
• Executive Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the primary accounting voice to the CFO, executive leadership, and Board‑level committees on accounting, financial reporting, and controls‑related matters.
• Communicate complex accounting and reporting topics in a clear, accessible, and business‑relevant manner.
• Engage proactively with internal leadership and external auditors to maintain transparency, address issues, and support high‑quality financial reporting.
• Additional Responsibilities Perform other duties as assigned and appropriately complete all directives issued by Senior Management.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards, professional judgment, and confidentiality in all matters.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay , including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program
• Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more)
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Programs
• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays
• Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees