Director of Accounting

Position Summary

The Director of Accounting leads and oversees Savant’s accounting and business advisory services, providing strategic direction for a team of accounting professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional client outcomes. This role is responsible for the quality, consistency, and growth of Savant’s accounting, write up, payroll, and business consulting service offerings.

The Director serves as the senior leader for client relationships within the Tax & Consulting practice, partnering closely with the Tax & Consulting and Wealth Management teams to deliver an integrated, client centered experience. This individual will champion a culture of continuous improvement, mentorship, and excellence in all client and team interactions. The Director is responsible for unifying accounting, payroll, and business consulting into a single, streamlined “one team” operating model that delivers a consistent “one Savant way” client experience, and for building a scalable practice structure that supports continued growth, future specialization, and the buildout of niche service lines.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of Accounting, can expect to focus on the following areas:

Leadership & Strategy

• Define and execute the strategic vision for the Tax & Consulting practice, aligning with Savant’s broader organizational goals and OKRs
• Act as a catalyst for new initiatives, products, and service enhancements within the accounting and business advisory practice
• Partner with executive leadership to execute on the buildout of niche service offerings.
• Own practice level financial performance, including revenue and team utilization targets for the Accounting, Payroll, and Consulting service lines.
• Evaluate staffing needs, capacity, and structure to ensure the team is positioned for growth and exceptional service delivery
• Align departmental policies and procedures with firm wide corporate goals and objectives
• Facilitate and model a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence
  
  

Client Service & Advisory

• Serve as a senior advisor for complex client engagements, including multi entity business owners, high net worth individuals, and closely held companies
• Oversee and manage fee only accounting and business advisory engagements from engagement letter through billing and final delivery
• Provide strategic guidance on business structure, compensation modeling, cash flow planning, and financial reporting for business owner clients
• Develop and maintain compensation models for multi owner entities and advise on retirement plan options for various business structures
• Collaborate with the Tax & Consulting and Wealth Management teams to deliver integrated, holistic client solutions
• Participate in and lead client facing presentations, webinars, and educational events
  
  

Accounting & Business Operations

• Oversee monthly accounting, financial statement preparation, payroll processing, and business consulting activities across the practice
• Review and sign off on complex financial statements, write up engagements, and advisory deliverables
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across all accounting and payroll client deliverables
• Review and analyze new technology, software, and vendor relationships to continuously improve team effectiveness; lead the consolidation and streamlining of existing tools and platforms into a unified “one Savant way” technology stack, and proactively evaluate and adopt AI and automation solutions to drive efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Consolidate and oversee a unified “one team” accounting and payroll operating model.
• Maintain and enhance best practices, workflows, and standardized procedures across the accounting and payroll functions
• Facilitate communication and responsiveness between the Accounting & Business Advisory team and other internal and external partners
  
  

Business Development

• Drive business development efforts for the Tax & Consulting practice, including referrals from the Wealth and Tax & Consulting teams
• Build and strengthen relationships with clients, centers of influence, and prospective clients to grow the practice
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand service offerings and deepen existing client relationships
• Establish, monitor, and meet business development KPIs and metrics, and report on practice performance against these targets
  
  

Team Development & Integration

• Train, mentor, and develop accounting, payroll, and consulting staff in a highly interactive and collaborative team environment
• Facilitate educational and training opportunities that enhance team technical skills and professional growth
• Partner with acquisition integration team on the operational integration of A&P books of business, tools and technology, and team members, ensuring a smooth transition to Savant’s “one team” operating model
• Perform other duties as requested; maintain a team approach by assisting and filling in for others
  
  

Leadership Responsibilities

• Champion a constructive culture and lead by example to promote an environment where employees are accountable, motivated by success, supported in taking initiatives, and are recognized for their achievements. Regularly engage with team members to ensure that cultural values are integrated into daily operations and decision making processes, enhancing overall engagement and team cohesion.
• Select, supervise, empower, coach, develop, and retain a team of qualified individuals across accounting, payroll, and consulting functions, through effective hiring, employee development, performance management, succession planning, and recognition.
• Align team objectives and individual performance metrics directly with organizational strategic goals, ensuring clear communication and understanding of how team efforts contribute to broader company success.
• Collaboratively set challenging but realistic goals aligned with departmental and organizational objectives. Work with employees on a plan to achieve their goals.
• Oversee and lead staff, including hiring, assigning work, and recommending salary increases, promotions, transfers, demotions, or terminations.
• Maintain open and effective communication, ensuring that team members are informed, engaged, and aligned with firm updates and strategic changes.
• Actively engage in ongoing coaching, providing regular, constructive feedback and guidance to foster professional growth and improvement.
• When managing subordinate supervisors, provide leadership, guidance, and resources needed to ensure they are effective in their management roles.
• Model exemplary conduct by consistently upholding the highest ethical and legal standards, and actively promote adherence to Savant’s policies, procedures, and core values.
  
  

Role Specific Performance Standards

Role specific Performance Standards should reflect both WHAT results and impact on the role delivers and HOW the work is accomplished, consistent with Savant’s company wide performance standards.

Role Specific Performance Standards

• Builds and maintains trusted relationships with clients, resulting in high satisfaction and retention.
• Delivers comprehensive financial plans accurately, timely, and aligned to each client’s goals and risk profile
• Demonstrates strong fiduciary judgment and adherence to regulatory and compliance expectations
• Builds trusted working relationships with advisors, operations, and tax partners
• Client questions and requests are addressed promptly and professionally, contributing to a positive client experience
• Advisors are well supported through reliable preparation, follow up, and execution of client action items
• Clients and advisors have confidence in business recommendations and/or advice provided, reflected by low rework and correction rates
• Deadlines are consistently met without sacrificing quality or accuracy
• Strong coordination occurs between accounting, tax, advisory, and client service teams to deliver an integrated client experience
  
  

Firm Wide Performance Standards

All Savant team members are expected to demonstrate the firm’s performance standards, which reflect both WHAT we accomplish and HOW we accomplish it.

• Delivers results that matter: Achieves impactful outcomes aligned to organizational goals; success is measured by tangible results and value delivered.
• Drives consistent and scalable solutions: Builds reliable, repeatable solutions and processes that scale across teams and projects.
• Communicates and collaborate effectively: Promotes open communication, teamwork, and constructive feedback to achieve shared objectives.
• Models Savant core values and constructive culture: Demonstrates Savant’s values in daily actions and actively strengthens a positive workplace culture.
  
  

This includes delivering results that matter, driving consistent and scalable solutions, and communicating and collaborating effectively while modeling Savant’s core values in daily actions. Employees are expected to show accountability and sound judgment, produce high quality, reliable work, take ownership for outcomes within their role, and contribute positively to a constructive and inclusive culture.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field from an accredited college or university (required)
• Active CPA license (highly preferred)
• Master’s in Accounting, Taxation, or related field (preferred)
• CFP certification or Series 65 a plus
  
  

Experience

• 10+ years of proven success in accounting and/or business advisory services, including direct client facing experience
• 5+ years of management or leadership experience overseeing accounting or financial services teams
• Demonstrated experience working with business owners, closely held companies, and multi entity structures
• Experience with write up, bookkeeping, payroll, and business consulting services
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Accounting CS, and Thomson Reuters software suite (UltraTax, Practice CS, GoFileRoom)
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, multi state compliance, and financial reporting standards
• Familiarity with online and print tax and accounting research resources
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and industry related software
• Excellent communication, listening, and client relationship management skills
• Detail oriented with a high degree of accuracy and organizational discipline
• Client first attitude with a collaborative, team first mindset
  
  

Any combination of equivalent education and work experience will be considered.

Savant Capital, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer