Head of Accounting

Real opportunities. Real impact. Your career, redefined.

(NOTE: A human reviews every application at Oceans, so please apply for only one position and only once a year—if you're a better fit for another role, we’ll route your application accordingly and if we’re not quite ready for you, we’ll reach back out later.)

At Oceans, we help the best and brightest of Sri Lanka to take advantage of opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them, while supporting entrepreneurs around the world. Our community (we call them Divers) don’t do surface work—they go deep to solve complex challenges and make a real impact. And in doing so, they support bold ideas, expand their skills, broaden their expertise, and grow their careers, all without having to leave family and friends.

As the Head of Accounting, you will play a critical role in building and owning the accounting function for a growing fractional CFO and financial operations consultancy. You'll manage accounting delivery across a portfolio of clients, overseeing everything from bookkeeping, AP/AR, and general ledger management through month-end close, financial reporting, cash flow, controls, compliance, and financial systems.

This role is ideal for a senior accounting professional who combines strong technical expertise with a hands-on execution mindset and the ability to build structure where it doesn't yet exist. Rather than functioning as a traditional accounting manager, you'll act as the functional owner of accounting—establishing scalable processes and controls, maintaining high-quality financial operations across multiple client environments, and serving as a trusted finance partner to founders and leadership while helping build the accounting service line from the ground up.

Here's how you'll make an impact:

Accountability

Client Portfolio & Accounting Delivery

• Own accounting delivery across a diverse portfolio of client accounts and entities.
• Manage the full accounting lifecycle from client onboarding through recurring bookkeeping, close, reporting, and ongoing support.
• Maintain visibility across multiple client engagements and ensure deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Serve as a trusted finance partner to client founders and leadership teams.
• Translate financial information into clear, actionable insights for clients.

Core Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Own day-to-day bookkeeping across client accounts.
• Manage Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processes.
• Maintain accurate general ledgers and supporting financial documentation.
• Review and appropriately code financial transactions.
• Ensure accounting records remain accurate, complete, and current.
• Remain hands-on with transactional accounting while maintaining senior oversight of the broader function.

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes across client engagements.
• Perform and oversee account and bank reconciliations.
• Prepare and review accurate financial statements in accordance with applicable GAAP and/or IFRS requirements.
• Analyze financial performance and identify relevant trends, inconsistencies, and risks.
• Present financial information and insights clearly to client leadership.
• Establish repeatable close and reporting procedures that can scale across the client portfolio.

Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Establish and maintain effective internal controls across accounting operations.
• Develop accounting policies, financial procedures, and governance standards.
• Ensure appropriate application of GAAP and/or IFRS accounting principles.
• Coordinate tax compliance, regulatory filings, and external audit requirements.
• Work with external tax advisors and auditors to provide accurate financial information and supporting documentation.
• Identify control weaknesses and implement practical improvements.
• Maintain strong financial governance as the accounting service line grows.

Cash Flow & Working Capital

• Monitor cash flow and liquidity across client accounts.
• Oversee banking processes and bank reconciliations.
• Monitor working capital requirements and short-term liquidity.
• Identify potential cash flow concerns and proactively surface them to leadership.
• Support clients with cash management and related financial decisions.

Finance Systems & Process Improvement

• Own and optimize cloud accounting systems such as QuickBooks Online and Xero.
• Evaluate accounting and finance systems as client requirements evolve.
• Select and implement new accounting or ERP solutions where appropriate.
• Develop scalable workflows, SOPs, and operating procedures.
• Identify inefficient or manual processes and implement practical improvements.
• Maintain consistency, accuracy, and data integrity across financial systems and client engagements.

AI & Automation

• Actively leverage AI tools to improve accounting and finance workflows.
• Use AI-assisted tools to accelerate analysis, reporting, documentation, and repetitive finance processes.
• Identify opportunities to automate recurring accounting activities while maintaining appropriate financial controls and judgment.
• Validate AI-generated outputs and ensure financial accuracy before use.
• Contribute ideas for improving technology-enabled finance workflows and proprietary financial tools.

Building & Scaling the Accounting Function

• Establish the operational foundation for accounting as a core service line.
• Develop accounting standards, SOPs, controls, and delivery methodologies.
• Create processes that can support a growing client portfolio without compromising quality.
• Bring proven accounting best practices rather than relying on established processes being handed to you.
• Help determine future accounting team structure and resource requirements.
• Mentor and potentially recruit and manage accounting team members as the function grows.

Colleagues

You'll work closely with client founders and leadership teams, the founder of the business, and other finance professionals and external advisors. You'll serve as the senior accounting owner across client engagements, ensuring accounting delivery is accurate, consistent, and aligned with client needs while helping establish how the broader accounting function operates.

At Oceans Talent, you'll also receive guidance and support from your Operations Manager, who will help you succeed in the role and ensure that you're continuously growing and developing in your career.

Skills and Qualifications

As a Head of Accounting, your vertical focus will be on accounting operations, financial reporting, controls, and financial governance, while your horizontal focus will include client advisory, finance systems, process improvement, AI-enabled automation, and functional leadership.

• Experience: 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally including multi-client, multi-entity, fractional CFO, outsourced accounting, or professional services environments.
• Accounting Expertise: Deep hands-on knowledge of bookkeeping, AP, AR, general ledger management, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial statement preparation.
• Financial Reporting: Strong ability to prepare, review, and analyze financial statements in accordance with GAAP and/or IFRS.
• Financial Controls & Compliance: Experience establishing internal controls, accounting policies, financial procedures, and supporting tax, regulatory, and audit requirements.
• Cash Flow & Working Capital: Strong understanding of cash management, banking, working capital, and liquidity oversight.
• Accounting Systems: Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online, Xero, or comparable cloud accounting platforms, with the ability to evaluate and implement finance systems.
• Client Advisory: Confidence working directly with founders and senior leadership and translating financial information into clear recommendations and insights.
• Process Improvement: Demonstrated ability to build accounting processes and SOPs from the ground up and continuously improve operational efficiency.
• Ownership & Autonomy: Comfortable operating independently, making sound financial decisions, and remaining accountable for outcomes without mature processes or constant supervision.
• AI Fluency: Experience using AI tools to improve finance workflows, analysis, documentation, reporting, or automation.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal English with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

During the interview process, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your skills in the following areas:

• Accounting Leadership & Financial Operations: Your ability to lead accounting operations, maintain financial accuracy, and ensure the accounting function operates effectively at scale.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Your ability to oversee accurate financial reporting, apply relevant accounting standards, and maintain strong compliance and control practices.
• Month-End Close & Financial Controls: Your ability to manage the close process, identify discrepancies, and establish controls that protect the integrity of financial information.
• Technical Accounting & GAAP: Your ability to apply accounting principles and GAAP appropriately to complex transactions, reporting requirements, and business situations.
• Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Your ability to lead and develop an accounting team while communicating effectively with senior stakeholders and other functions.
• Process Improvement & Scalability: Your ability to identify weaknesses in accounting processes, implement improvements, and build scalable systems that support business growth.

Diversity of experience is core to Oceans. You are expected to work inclusively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, ensuring that both personal and collective dignity are supported.

Role Specifications

This is a remote role, where you will be expected to work a split shift with some overlap with our client’s time zone. You will, however, be expected to be present for in-person training programs during your first 3.5 weeks with us. During the offer process, we’ll share more information about our benefits and compensation philosophy, considering both market trends and individual factors.

About Oceans

At Oceans Talent, we connect the world’s top talent with visionary companies building what’s next. Here, you’re not just stepping into another role — you’re joining a team that values individuality, ambition, and growth without limits. Unique, like you.

We’re always excited to share more about our journey, where we’re headed, and how you can grow with us throughout the interview process.

Want to learn more about our recruitment process, what to expect from interviews, and possible outcomes? Check out [The Dive].