Director, Financial Accounting & Reporting

About the role

CARS is seeking a Director, Accounting and Reporting to lead our Accounting and SEC Reporting teams. Reporting to the Assistant Controller and directly managing a team of 5, this role owns day-to-day external financial reporting, SEC compliance, US GAAP adherence, and SOX controls for a publicly traded company.

If you are a strong technical accountant with proven management experience in a public company environment - someone who partners effectively across Finance, Legal, and Investor Relations to deliver accurate, timely external disclosures, this role is for you!

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring financial statements are prepared accurately and on time in accordance with US GAAP
• Oversee preparation and filing of all SEC reports, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and other required regulatory filings
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors on quarterly reviews and the annual audit
• Technical Accounting
• Serve as the primary technical accounting resource, researching and documenting complex accounting issues including revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, leases, and business combinations
• Own and maintain the company's ASC 606 revenue recognition framework, including technical accounting memos, SSP analyses, and principal vs. agent assessments, while partnering with Sales, Legal, and FP&A to evaluate deal structures, identify performance obligations, and ensure timely documentation of key judgments
• Monitor FASB and SEC pronouncements, assess their impact on financial statements, and lead implementation
• Develop and maintain comprehensive accounting policies and procedures
• Advises on structuring revenue streams and contracts to optimize revenue recognition and operational efficiency
• Act as an escalation point for day-to-day accounting issues, driving practical resolutions that balance commercial needs with risk mitigation
• Special Projects
• M&A Due Diligence and Integration: Lead accounting and reporting workstreams in due diligence and drive Finance integration for acquired businesses, including OTC process planning
• ERP Integration: Serve as a key stakeholder in systems migration, partnering with Technology and third-party providers from requirements gathering through go-live

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting or Finance
• CPA required
• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience including 3+ years in SEC reporting at a US-listed company
• Big 4 public accounting experience combined with a corporate accounting background strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP and SOX internal controls
• Strong understanding of revenue recognition principles, including experience with complex transactions
• Experience with financial systems; proficiency in SEC reporting tools such as Workiva preferred
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Track record of leading large-scale, cross-functional projects and driving change
• Able to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-moving environment
• Proficiency with AI tools (e.g., Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT) to support technical research, policy drafting, financial narrative writing, and workflow efficiency
• Advanced Excel and Google Suite skills
• Collaborative, approachable, and self-directed with a strong sense of ownership
• Clear, effective communicator — written and verbal