Chief Operating & Finance Officer (COFO)
Executive compensation package commensurate with experience.
Our clients span the United States (no international), and our firm continues to experience significant growth. We have built a reputation for proactive tax planning, exceptional client service, innovation, and long-term client relationships. We are now seeking the executive who will help lead the next chapter of our firm's growth.
COFO Position Summary
The Chief Operating & Finance Officer (COFO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and serves as the CEO's strategic partner in driving organizational excellence within our public accounting firm. This role is responsible for translating the company's vision into operational execution by leading business operations, developing leaders, ensuring financial stewardship, optimizing technology, and advancing strategic initiatives.
Operations and organizational leadership comprise the majority of the role. In addition, the COFO serves as the organization's most trusted financial steward by personally managing the accounting and financial records for the company and partner-owned entities. While these accounting responsibilities represent a relatively small portion of the position, they require exceptional integrity, accuracy, discretion, and sound financial judgment.
The Company operates on the EOS platform and the successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who thrives on improving systems, developing people, solving complex business challenges, and building an organization capable of sustainable long-term growth.
Essential Responsibilities
Operations (Approximately 40%)
Provide executive leadership for the day-to-day operations of the organization while ensuring alignment with the company's strategic vision.
Responsibilities include:
- Lead operational excellence across divisions.
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators and organizational scorecards.
- Improve efficiency through processes, automation, and continuous improvement.
- Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Ensure operational consistency and accountability throughout the organization.
- Oversee organizational planning, workflow optimization, and resource allocation.
- Manage cross-functional initiatives and operational projects.
- Identify operational risks and implement proactive solutions.
- Monitor organizational performance and hold leaders accountable for results.
- Ensure operations support exceptional client service and employee experience.
- Build scalable systems and processes that support company growth.
People Leadership (Approximately 25%)
Develop leaders, strengthen accountability, and foster a high-performing culture aligned with the company's Core Values.
Responsibilities include:
- Coach, mentor, and develop department leaders.
- Establish clear expectations, goals, and performance metrics.
- Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, compensation strategies, career paths, and succession planning.
- Drive organizational accountability and ownership.
- Lead organizational change initiatives with professionalism and transparency.
- Assist in organizational design and department structure planning.
- Support employee engagement, retention, and leadership development initiatives.
- Resolve complex operational and personnel issues.
- Reinforce the company's culture, mission, and Core Values.
- Promote collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement across departments.
Financial Stewardship & Company Accounting (Approximately 10–15%)
Serve as the executive responsible for the financial integrity of the organization while personally managing the accounting activities for the company and affiliated partner-owned businesses.
Although the monthly accounting process is streamlined, this responsibility requires exceptional trust, confidentiality, financial accuracy, and attention to detail.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintain the general ledger and complete monthly accounting activities for the company and affiliated partner-owned entities using QuickBooks Online.
- Perform monthly bank, credit card, and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Manage accounts payable, cash management, and internal financial controls.
- Prepare monthly financial statements and executive financial reports.
- Develop annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
- Monitor profitability, operating expenses, and financial performance.
- Maintain complete and accurate financial records.
- Coordinate with the CEO regarding tax preparation, annual filings, and financial reporting requirements.
- Identify financial trends and provide recommendations that improve organizational performance.
- Safeguard confidential financial information with the highest degree of integrity and discretion.
Technology & Business Systems (Approximately 15%)
Lead the strategic use of technology to improve efficiency, collaboration, reporting, security, and scalability.
Responsibilities include:
- Oversee the firm's technology strategy and business systems, including system pricing, vendor relationships, annual renewals and maintenance contracts.
- Partner with internal and external technology resources.
- Evaluate and implement technology solutions that improve operational performance.
- Optimize systems including CRM, accounting, workflow, reporting, collaboration, and document management platforms.
- Champion automation and Artificial Intelligence initiatives where appropriate.
- Ensure cybersecurity policies and data protection standards are maintained.
- Ensure technology investments align with organizational goals.
Strategic Projects & Executive Initiatives (Approximately 10–15%)
Lead initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and position the company for continued growth.
Responsibilities include:
- Lead enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.
- Partner with the CEO on long-term strategic planning.
- Evaluate new business opportunities and operational improvements.
- Conduct organizational assessments and recommend innovative solutions.
- Lead special projects that improve efficiency, profitability, and scalability.
- Develop implementation plans for strategic initiatives.
- Support mergers, acquisitions, integrations, or expansion efforts when applicable.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.
Innovation & AI Leadership (5%)
We are a paperless, technology driven firm willing to embrace technology that drives efficiencies and increases our ability to scale.
Responsibilities include:
- Identify AI opportunities.
- Evaluate AI vendors.
- Automate repetitive work for improved performance.
- Increase productivity.
- Improve knowledge management.
- Lead AI adoptionacross the firm.
Decision-Making Authority
Making thoughtful decisions is critical to the success of any leader. There are current processes for decisions that fall under the guidance of this position. It will be up to the COFO to improve and own the decision-making processes, including but not limited to:
- Approving and signing vendor agreements and system renewals
- Setting budgets
- Reviewing and updating processes
- Approving hires, compensation, annual raises, and incentives
- Resignations and terminations
- Other authority as granted by firm owners
Executive Mindset
The successful COFO will:
- Think like an owner and make decisions that support the long-term success of the organization
- Be an exemplary communicator, have exceptional time management and organizational skills
- Lead and support the company Directors so they can be as effective as possible
- Be a continual learner
- Balance people, profitability, operational excellence, and client experience in every decision
- Lead and follow the EOS model and Core Values the Company has implemented
- Anticipate challenges before they become problems
- Build systems that enable growth rather than create dependence on individuals
- Use data, financial insights, and measurable outcomes to guide decisions
- Develop leaders and empower others to succeed
- Lead with integrity, professionalism, accountability, and discretion
- Analyze opportunities to improve the firm
- Own outcomes in each segment of duties: Operations, People, Financials Tech and overall leadership
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Operations Management, or related field required.
- MBA other advanced business credential preferred.
Other:
- Ability to commute to office outside the perimeter of Atlanta GA
- Must have valid work authorization for employment in the United States
- Background check required
Experience
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience with increasing operational responsibility.
- CPA firm or professional services experience is strongly preferred
- Demonstrated success leading multiple functional areas.
- Experience developing and improving business processes.
- Strong financial management, budgeting, and business planning experience.
- Advanced proficiency with QuickBooks Online.
- Experience implementing or optimizing business technology and systems.
- Proven ability to lead organizational change.
- Experience within a professional services organization is preferred.
- Experience with a company of 30+ employees.
Core Competencies
1. Strategic Leadership
2. Operational Excellence
3. Financial Stewardship
4. Business Process Improvement
5. Executive Decision-Making
6. Organizational Development
7. Change Management
8. Technology Optimization
9. Business Intelligence & Analytics
- Project Management
- Leadership Development
- Executive Communication
- Risk Management
- Relationship Building
- Integrity & Confidentiality
Success Measures
Success in this role will be measured by:
1. Achievement of strategic organizational goals.
2. Build trusted relationships through integrity, collaboration, and consistent execution.
3. Operational efficiency improvements.
4. Financial accuracy and timely reporting.
5. Budget performance and profitability.
6. Embracing and following our EOS processes
7. Departmental KPI achievement.
8. Employee engagement and leadership development.
9. Successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
- Technology optimization and adoption.
- Continuous improvement of systems and processes.
- Organizational scalability and operational readiness.
- Demonstrating, living and leading by our Core Values
Reporting Relationship
Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
- Directors, IT and Administrative team report to COFO
- Organizational chart can be made available during the interview process.
Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides leadership across the organization while partnering closely with the CEO to drive operational excellence, financial stewardship, organizational growth, and strategic execution.
This position is intended for an experienced executive who is equally comfortable leading people, optimizing operations, managing financial stewardship, and driving strategic execution. Success requires both a hands-on approach and the ability to think strategically across the entire organization.
We are looking for a candidate with a kindred leadership methodology, one who understands they do not have to do all the work, but instead build trust, communication and motivation with the team.
Pay: From $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Leadership: 10 years (Required)
- QBO: 8 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Gwinnett County, GA (Required)
Work Location: In person
