HEAD OF ACCOUNTING SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Jul 28, 2025 - The Head of Accounting is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in public accounting, including auditing global, publicly traded companies. The role demands deep expertise in GAAP and SEC reporting, IPO readiness, M&A integration, and ERP systems (preferably NetSuite), along with corporate accounting leadership in high-growth, SaaS-based environments. This position also requires strong analytical abilities, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated capability in managing, mentoring, and inspiring high-performing finance teams.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Head of Accounting Resume
  • Financial Reporting
  • Internal Controls
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • IFRS Accounting
  • Budget Management
  • Tax Compliance
  • Ledger Management
  • Account Reconciliation
  • Payroll Oversight
  • Process Improvement
  • Team Leadership
  • Staff Development
  • Performance Management
  • Communication Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Project Leadership
  • Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Change Management
  • Analytical Thinking

Summary of Head of Accounting Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Corporate Communication with 5 years of Experience

  • Solid knowledge of SAP and Microsoft Office tools.
  • Solid understanding of local GAAP requirements that are allocated to the Centre of Excellence.
  • Experience working with financial analysis and modeling - delivers insights from complex data.
  • Experience in internal controls and risk management to establish systems that prevent errors/fraud.
  • Good knowledge of Dutch, French, and English.
  • Must have strong verbal and written communication and delegation skills.
  • A team player with a can-do attitude.
  • An ability to function in a remote team.
  • Ability to execute fast and accurately without questioning the overall process.
  • Accurate and proactive in approach.

2. BA in Economics with 7 years of Experience

  • Extensive experience in accounting with a CPA/ACCA certification
  • Working knowledge of IFRS
  • Proven and successful experience leading an accounting department (preferably covering companies operating in a few European countries)
  • Experience working with IFRS consolidation
  • ERP and accounting software proficiency
  • Must have tax expertise (Polish and other tax jurisdictions)
  • Strong communication and delegation skills (Fluent in English and Polish)
  • An ability to participate in the creation of a new department and knowledge transfer
  • Have a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset.
  • Efficient with strong process discipline.

3. BA in International Business with 9 years of Experience

  • Progressive experience in a senior corporate accounting role in public accounting or private industry
  • Experience leading accounting operations, monthly accounting close, and preparation of financial reports
  • Experience with US GAAP, business processes, and internal controls
  • Multinational technology or entertainment experience
  • Strong stakeholder management skills and business partner mindset
  • Hold a CPA (or equivalent) license
  • Solid experience with one or more financial ERP systems
  • Good knowledge of the English language (oral and written)
  • Skills of independent working, Experience in working in global teams
  • A good team player in a global team with excellent communication ability

4. BS in Finance with 10 years of Experience

  • Hold a CA, CPA, or CMA
  • Previous experience working in a Big 4
  • Intensive experience as a Head of Finance and Accounting in an MNC and matrix organisation
  • Excellent financial acumen, and conversant with relevant tax regulations
  • Deep understanding of IFRS/GAAP and reporting frameworks.
  • An ability to accurately plan and anticipate financial needs.
  • Proficiency in English, written and verbal
  • Skilled in Microsoft Excel, SAP systemand Hyperion
  • Strong team player with a can-do attitude
  • Confident and data-driven decision-maker.

5. BA in Business Administration with 8 years of Experience

  • Relevant work experience in accounting and held a management position before.
  • Work experience in a fast-growing startup
  • Profound knowledge of HGB and/or IFRS
  • Experience implementing highly automated accounting processes with meticulous attention to detail.
  • Prior working experience with SAP
  • Organized and experienced in leading a team daily.
  • Communicative leader who knows how to eloquently excite others about the ideas.
  • Genuine interest in the mobility, automotive, and eCommerce industry.

6. BS in Management Information Systems with 11 years of Experience

  • Experience in a senior managerial leadership role of managing a full accounting function
  • Experience in the area of accounting and controlling, with extensive experience in leading and developing an accounting organization
  • Experience in an international company or as an external auditor
  • Applied experience and knowledge of IFRS
  • CPA and prior ERP implementation experience
  • Strong accounting background, good analytical skills with the ability to take data and turn it into meaningful reporting to management
  • Strong SAP knowledge and experience in FICO and COPA modules
  • Decision-making under pressure
  • Strong communication, organizational, technology, and leadership skills
  • Adaptability in dynamic environments

7. BS in Banking and Finance with 12 years of Experience

  • Extensive experience leading a high-performing team to deliver against tight reporting deadlines
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment
  • Team player who can operate globally, cross-functionally, and at all levels of the organisation, taking ownership and demonstrating initiative
  • Large, multi-entity, and multi-currency consolidation experience
  • Strong understanding of IFRS reporting requirements and interpretation of new standards
  • An inquisitive and analytical mindset, and be able to understand the commercial and operational side of the business, and relate it to the financial performance and metrics that are being reported
  • Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage own workload in a pressurised environment and work to tight deadlines
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership
  • Demonstrate values, skills, and behaviours that are consistent with Global’s core values
  • Experience working with ERP financial systems, SAP ERP

8. BS in Accounting with 14 years of Experience

  • Progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, preferably in the software (SaaS) industry 
  • Experience in a leadership position, managing teams of people with diverse skill sets
  • Experience in growth-stage companies and public company experience
  • Must be a proven "hands-on", solution-oriented, and effective leader who garners trust and loyalty from team members
  • Execution-oriented with a proven ability and desire to work effectively, delivering accurate results under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, dynamic environment
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently and effectively communicate at all employee levels within a culturally and geographically diverse company
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial statements
  • Experience with setting up and operating accounting processes for foreign subsidiaries
  • Experience with revenue recognition in a recurring revenue and/or consumption-based business model
  • Experience in financing and M&A transaction work
  • Technology and systems savvy with NetSuite or Intacct experience
  • CPA, active status, and current on ASC 606 and 842
  • Prior experience with SaaS or Software, and knowledge of Fintech or Blockchain

9. BS in Business Analytics with 7 years of Experience

  • Have a CPA and experience across the Big 4 and industry, including management experience
  • Startup or tech industry experience
  • Strong technical accounting skills and are comfortable getting hands-on
  • Enjoy building systems and processes from scratch
  • Excellent analytical and structured problem-solving skills, and enjoy project management
  • Strong commercial and operational acumen
  • Be great at articulating technical accounting guidance or issues in easy-to-understand business terms to key decision-makers
  • Passionate about the mission to make creative fulfillment attainable to everyone
  • Ability to interpret and explain financial data to non-financial stakeholders
  • Data-driven decision-making

10. BA in Entrepreneurship with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience (or interest and knowledge) in the financial/crypto asset industry.
  • CPA or tax accountant
  • Able to lead and supervise a team in a series of financial closing operations in an operating company.
  • Experience in negotiating with audit firms and communication skills within the company.
  • A good command of English
  • Ability to connect financial metrics with business performance
  • Understanding of risk management and internal controls
  • Knowledge of industry benchmarks and KPIs
  • Knowledge of financial modelling and scenario analysis
  • Inquisitive and analytical mindset

11. BS in Actuarial Science with 8 years of Experience

  • Working experience in accounting
  • Prior experience working in the Big 4 as an auditor 
  • Prior experience in a multinational, business-oriented
  • Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Experience in leading a team of more than 5 people
  • In-depth knowledge of IFRS/GAAP standards
  • Understanding of tax planning and compliance
  • Experience working in process improvement and automation with project management skills
  • Excellent verbal and written Business English communication skills
  • Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and alignment with core company values

12. BS in Taxation with 15 years of Experience

  • Hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
  • Experience in public accounting, including experience auditing publicly traded global corporations.
  • Corporate experience at global, publicly-traded growth companies in corporate accounting/finance leadership positions.
  • Experience in leading through an IPO process
  • Solid technical knowledge of GAAP/SEC accounting and reporting requirements
  • Merger and acquisition integration experience
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must have strong analytical skills.
  • A proven ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and to build strong working relationships.
  • Demonstrable experience managing, developing, and mentoring finance professionals, growing future leaders, and inspiring high-performing teams
  • Deep understanding of ERP systems, including sub-modules (preferably NetSuite), including the development, implementation, and/or maintenance of one or more accounting systems in a SAAS based environment
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