IW Group

Director of Finance and Accounting

IW Group Los Angeles, California, United States

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.

Role Overview

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 shape financial strategy, drive performance improvements, and support the company’s growth and scalability. The position will gradually assume key responsibilities currently managed by the Controller, with a structured transition plan in place to ensure continuity.

What You’ll Do

• Strategic & Leadership Responsibilities
  • Partner with the CEO and Fractional CFO on financial strategy, planning, and business decision‑making.
  • Provide forward‑looking insights on profitability, growth, and operational performance.
  • Act as a financial thought partner to department leaders across the agency.
  • Translate financial data into actionable insights that drive agency performance, profitability, and scalability.
  • Partner with Account, Media, Creative, and Strategy teams to align financial goals with execution.
  • Contribute to long‑term planning, including scenario modeling, investment decisions, and resource allocation.
• Financial Oversight
  • Lead all accounting and financial reporting functions.
  • Ensure accurate, timely, and insightful monthly and quarterly reporting.
  • Maintain strong internal controls and GAAP compliance.
  • Oversee the integrity of financial data across systems and reporting outputs.
  • Own budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
  • Build visibility into key agency metrics: client profitability, staff utilization and billability, revenue forecasting, and pipeline conversion.
  • Drive visibility into client profitability, utilization, and key performance metrics.
  • Identify opportunities to improve margins and operational efficiency.
  • Analyze variances and provide actionable recommendations.
• Cash Flow & Treasury Management
  • Oversee cash flow planning, forecasting, and liquidity management.
  • Manage banking relationships and treasury activities.
  • Optimize working capital, receivables, payables, and cash positioning.
  • Ensure adequate cash availability for operations and strategic initiatives.
  • Own cash flow forecasting in a project‑based, client‑driven revenue environment.
  • Partner with account teams to improve cash conversion and reduce revenue leakage.
• Revenue, Expense & Systems Management
  • Oversee agency‑wide expense management, vendor relationships, and cost controls.
  • Monitor operating expenses against budget and provide variance analysis.
  • Implement policies to enhance financial discipline across the organization.
  • Govern revenue recognition, pricing, and billing processes.
  • Partner with account teams on forecasting and client financial performance.
  • Ensure accurate billing across retainer, project‑based, and fee‑based models.
  • Identify opportunities to improve pricing discipline and contract profitability.
  • Oversee and optimize Advantage (accounting) and Aqua (timekeeping) systems.
  • Improve financial workflows, reporting capabilities, and data integrity.
  • Lead initiatives to modernize and scale finance operations.
  • Ensure alignment between financial and operational systems for accurate reporting.
• Risk, Compliance & Team Leadership
  • Oversee the agency’s insurance programs and manage related relationships.
  • Ensure appropriate risk mitigation practices across financial and operational areas.
  • Maintain strong internal controls and compliance with GAAP and regulations.
  • Serve as liaison with the outside CPA firm for annual financial review.
  • Oversee preparation and coordination of federal and state income tax returns.
  • Ensure timely filing of other tax obligations.
  • Lead and develop the finance team; establish structure and best practices.
  • Foster a proactive, business‑partner mindset within the team.

What You’ll Bring

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of progressive finance experience with increasing responsibility.
  • Experience in advertising, marketing, media, or professional services.
  • Strong background in accounting and FP&A.
  • Track record of improving financial performance, processes, or systems.
  • Experience managing cash flow, treasury, and operational finance functions.
• Skills and Abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
  • Comfort working in a dynamic, project‑based environment.
  • Deep understanding of project‑based financial models (utilization, billing, margins).
  • Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, client‑driven agency environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude.
  • CPA or equivalent preferred.
  • Experience working with a Fractional CFO or external finance advisor.
  • Direct experience with Advantage and/or Aqua.
  • Experience overseeing audits, tax coordination, or regulatory compliance.
  • Background in multicultural or diverse market‑focused organizations.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: $146,000 - $160,000, commensurate with experience.
• Hybrid work model (three in‑office days per week).
• 20 PTO days annually.
• 19 paid holidays.
• Birthday off.
• Year‑round Flex Fridays (half‑day Fridays).
• Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Employer‑sponsored life insurance, AD&D, and LTD coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Cell phone reimbursement.
• Parking and commuter benefits.
• Employee referral program.
• Collaborative, growth‑oriented team environment.

Employer‑sponsored Culture

We believe in building meaningful communities and encourage teams to connect with causes and missions that fuel their passions. We love exploring new cultures through food, technology, and experiences. Curiosity fuels our work, and we encourage creative interests.

Equal Employment Opportunity

IW 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 identity 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.