Job Description

Position Purpose: The Chief Accountant and Finance Systems Architect (CPA) is responsible for designing, building, and operationalizing the company's full Finance Department from the ground up, including all financial controls, workflows, compliance systems, documentation, reporting standards, and audit readiness procedures.

This role requires a highly disciplined CPA who can establish a fully systematized, scalable, and legally compliant Finance Department, supporting company growth and future audit preparation.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial System Setup and Architecture

• Design and document all Finance Department workflows (accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, taxes, reporting, internal audits).
• Build standardized SOPs, checklists, forms, and approval workflows for every financial transaction.
• Implement a scalable financial software infrastructure (e.g., QuickBooks Enterprise, NetSuite, or equivalent).
• Set up internal controls over financial reporting (segregation of duties, approval matrices, documentation standards).

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure full compliance with U.S. GAAP, state and federal tax laws, payroll tax regulations, and all financial reporting requirements.
• Prepare the company for future financial audits, due diligence reviews, or funding events.
• Establish a monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing calendar and reporting deadlines.

Operational Finance Management

• Oversee daily accounting operations (GL maintenance, bank reconciliations, revenue recognition, expense management).
• Build financial forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis models.
• Prepare timely and accurate financial statements for internal leadership and external stakeholders.

Risk Management and Internal Audit Readiness

• Identify financial risks and implement mitigation controls.
• Design and execute quarterly internal audits across accounting operations.
• Maintain updated risk registers and financial compliance checklists.

Training and Departmental Development

• Document and train junior accounting or finance staff on all processes once team expansion is needed.
• Develop Finance Department employee handbook and financial code of ethics policy.

Requirements:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, active and in good standing.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years setting up finance operations for startups, mid-size companies, or fast-scaling businesses.
• Strong expertise in financial controls, GAAP, audit preparation, and tax compliance.
• Hands-on experience selecting and implementing financial ERP/accounting systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, documentation discipline, and process-orientation.
• Strong Excel and financial modeling skills.
• Ability to operate autonomously with high accountability and audit-ready work practices.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract

Pay: $80,530.00 - $117,076.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift

License/Certification:

• CPA (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Santa Ana, CA 92705 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Santa Ana, CA 92705: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Job Tags

Similar Jobs