Manager, Client Accounting Services Onboarding
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Overview
Job Description
The Onboarding Manager, Client Accounting Services is responsible for delivering a best-in-class transition experience for every new CAS client. From signed engagement letter through successful handoff to the recurring service team, this individual owns the entire onboarding lifecycle — setting up accounting systems, integrating third-party tools, defining scalable workflows, and ensuring the client feels confident and well-supported from day one.
This is an ideal role for an accounting professional who enjoys project leadership, client-facing work, and using technology to modernize financial operations.
Position Responsibilities:
- Lead each new client engagement from kickoff call through transition to the recurring CAS team
- Serve as the single point of contact for all onboarding-related questions, issues, and communications
- Build and manage project plans with clear scope, milestones, timelines, and budget parameters
- Proactively identify risks and resolve issues before they impact the client experience
- Review client financials to identify cleanup needs, assess any potentially out-of-scope work, and escalate findings to leadership.
- Conduct structured kickoff meetings to gather the financial and operational information needed to stand up the engagement
- Implement and optimize cloud accounting platforms (QuickBooks Online, Xero, Sage Intacct, NetSuite) to meet each client’s specific needs
- Configure and integrate third-party tools including bill pay, payroll, expense management, and document management solutions (BILL, Ramp, Expensify, Fathom & Jirav).
- Design scalable chart of accounts, reporting structures, and month-end close processes
- Train clients and internal team members on new systems and workflows
- Provide initial accounting support during the transition period, including reconciliations and financial statement preparation
- Review financials to ensure GAAP-compliant, accurate reporting prior to client handoff
- Establish month-end close checklists and standard operating procedures for the ongoing service team
- Partner with CAS managers, practice leaders, and IT to ensure seamless transitions from onboarding to steady-state service
- Document client-specific procedures and system configurations for the ongoing team
- Identify and champion process improvements that increase onboarding efficiency and client satisfaction
- Provide feedback loops to sales and proposals teams on scope accuracy and engagement scoping
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5–8 years of accounting or finance experience, including time in a client-facing or multi-client environment
- Demonstrated experience leading accounting system implementations or client migrations
- Strong working knowledge of GAAP and ability to prepare or review financial statements
- Proficiency in QuickBooks Online (QBO) and/or Sage Intacct; NetSuite and/or Xero experience a plus
- Exceptional project management skills: ability to manage multiple simultaneous onboardings with competing deadlines
- Outstanding communication and relationship management skills — comfortable presenting to C-suite stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications:
- CPA license or active candidate
- Public accounting or professional services firm background
- Experience in a managed services or outsourced accounting model
- Familiarity with workflow and practice management tools (e.g., Wrike, Karbon)
- Experience with third-party integrations: Bill.com, Ramp, Jirav, Fathom
Core Competencies:
- Client Focus — Delivers an exceptional first impression that sets the tone for the long-term client relationship
- Project Ownership — Takes end-to-end accountability for onboarding outcomes without needing close oversight
- Tech Savviness — Quickly learns new platforms and connects the right tools to the client’s business model
- Organized & Detail-Oriented — Tracks dozens of moving parts across simultaneous engagements with precision
- Collaborative — Works effectively across internal teams, escalating appropriately and sharing knowledge freely
- Adaptable — Comfortable in a fast-growing, evolving practice where processes are still being built
Automate your job search with Sonara.
Submit 10x as many applications with less effort than one manual application.
