About IW Group
IW Group is the leading multicultural advertising and marketing agency with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Named Ad Age’s 2025 Multicultural Agency of the Year and recognized by PRWeek for Best in Multicultural Marketing, IW Group produces culture-shaping campaigns for global and national brands.
IW Group drives impactful work by blending storytelling, cultural insight, and innovation to achieve measurable results. We represent multiple brands and deliver distinctive multicultural and cross-generational campaigns.
The Role
IW Group is seeking a strategic, hands-on Director of Finance & Accounting to lead and evolve our finance function and serve as a trusted strategic partner to executive leadership. This highly visible role blends strategic oversight with operational leadership and hands-on execution. Working closely with an experienced Fractional CFO, the Director will play a pivotal role in shaping financial strategy, driving performance improvements, and supporting the company’s continued growth and scalability.
In addition, this position will gradually assume key responsibilities currently managed by the Controller, with a structured transition plan in place to ensure continuity and a seamless handoff.
What You’ll DoStrategic & Leadership ResponsibilitiesPartner with the CEO and Fractional CFO on financial strategy, planning, and business decision-makingProvide forward-looking insights on profitability, growth, and operational performanceAct as a financial thought partner to department leaders across the agencyTranslate financial data into actionable insights that drive agency performance, profitability, and scalabilityPartner with Account, Media, Creative, and Strategy teams to align financial goals with executionContribute to long-term planning, including scenario modeling, investment decisions, and resource allocationFinancial OversightLead all accounting and financial reporting functionsEnsure accurate, timely, and insightful monthly and quarterly reportingMaintain strong internal controls and GAAP complianceOversee the integrity of financial data across systems and reporting outputsOwn budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processesBuild visibility into key agency metrics including: – Client and project profitability – Staff utilization and billability – Revenue forecasting and pipeline conversionDrive visibility into client profitability, utilization, and key performance metricsIdentify opportunities to improve margins and operational efficiencyAnalyze variances and provide actionable recommendations, not just reportingSupport pricing strategies, staffing models, and resource planning decisionsCash Flow & Treasury ManagementOversee cash flow planning, forecasting, and liquidity managementManage banking relationships and treasury activitiesOptimize working capital, including receivables, payables, and cash positioningEnsure adequate cash availability to support operations and strategic initiativesOwn cash flow forecasting in a project-based, client-driven revenue environmentPartner with account teams to improve cash conversion and reduce revenue leakageRevenue, Expense & Systems ManagementOversee agency-wide expense management, including vendor relationships and cost controlsMonitor operating expenses against budget and provide actionable variance analysisPartner with department leaders to manage spending and improve cost efficiencyImplement policies and processes to enhance financial discipline across the organizationEstablish and enforce agency-wide financial discipline and cost management practicesOversee revenue recognition, pricing, and billing processesPartner with account teams on forecasting and client financial performanceEnsure accurate billing across retainer, project-based, and fee-based revenue modelsPartner with account leadership on scopes of work and client profitabilityIdentify opportunities to improve pricing discipline and contract profitabilityOversee and optimize Advantage (accounting) and Aqua (timekeeping) systemsImprove financial workflows, reporting capabilities, and data integrityLead initiatives to modernize and scale finance operationsEnsure alignment between financial and operational systems for accurate reportingRisk, Compliance & Team LeadershipOversee the agency’s insurance programs, including general liability, professional liability, E&O, and other applicable coveragesManage relationships with insurance brokers and support policy renewals, coverage evaluations, and claims as neededEnsure appropriate risk mitigation practices are in place across financial and operational areasMaintain strong internal controls and compliance with GAAP and applicable regulationsIdentify and mitigate financial and operational risksServe as primary liaison with the outside CPA firm for annual financial reviewOversee preparation and coordination of federal and state income tax returnsEnsure timely and accurate filing of other tax obligations, including city business licenses and personal property taxesMaintain compliance with all regulatory and reporting requirementsLead and develop the finance teamEstablish structure, accountability, and best practices across the functionFoster a proactive, business-partner mindset within the teamWhat You’ll BringEducation and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field required10+ years of progressive finance experience with increasing responsibilityExperience in advertising, marketing, media, or professional servicesStrong background in both accounting and financial planning/analysis (FP&A)Experience partnering with executive leadership on business strategy, not just reporting resultsTrack record of improving financial performance, processes, or systemsExperience managing cash flow, treasury, and operational finance functionsSkills and AbilitiesDemonstrated ability to operate at both strategic and operational levelsComfort working in a dynamic, project-based environmentAbility to move beyond controllershipDeep understanding of project-based financial models (utilization, billing, margins)Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-driven agency environmentExcellent written and verbal communication skillsPreferred QualificationsExperience leveraging AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Claude, in a professional settingCPA or equivalent preferredExperience working with a Fractional CFO or external finance advisor a plusDirect experience with Advantage and/or Aqua a plusExperience overseeing audits, tax coordination, and regulatory compliance a plusBackground in multicultural or diverse market-focused organizations a plusBenefits & PerksSalary: $1460,000 - $160,000, commensurate with experienceHybrid work model (three in-office days per week)20 PTO days annually19 paid holidays (including Thanksgiving & Christmas week)Birthday offYear-round Flex Fridays (half-day Fridays)Competitive health, dental, and vision coverageEmployer-sponsored Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage401(k) with company matchCell phone reimbursementParking and commuter benefitsEmployee referral programCollaborative, growth-oriented team environmentCompany CultureConnectors: IW Group is a company founded with community at our core. We believe in building meaningful communities and encourage teams to connect with causes and missions that fuel their passions.Foodies: You will often find our teams sharing a meal. We love to explore new cultures and experiences through food and lived experiences.Explorers: Curiosity fuels our work. Whether it’s testing new technologies, visiting art galleries, or discovering local coffee shops, we encourage teams to follow their creative interests.The Hybrid Work ModelWork Model: IW Group supports a hybrid work schedule. Teams are required to work in-office at least three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday.Work Environment: This role is based primarily in the IW Group office and may also involve working at client sites or other designated locations.Work Hours: Project timelines may occasionally require extended hours, including evenings or weekends.Physical RequirementsEngage in a variety of activities, from sitting and using your hands to talking, hearing, standing, walking, and occasionally stooping or kneeling.Vision abilities required include close vision.
Equal Employment OpportunityIW Group is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment. IW Group provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identification and expression, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic established by local, state, or federal law.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties or responsibilities. Roles and responsibilities may change at any time, with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
PIac376dcf2ae8-37437-40425566
