Finance Process Optimization & Automation Consultant

Pay Rate: $80-95/hour – Location: Union Square, Manhattan – Hybrid, 3 days/week onsite – Temporary Consulting Engagement, month-to-month with possibility of extension

Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Finance Process Optimization & Automation Consultant to lead an end-to-end initiative focused on documenting, improving, and ultimately automating key accounting and finance processes.

The engagement will progress through three phases:

• Phase 1 - Documentation
• Phase 2 - Process Optimization
• Phase 3 - Automation & AI

The ideal consultant combines strong accounting/finance process knowledge with demonstrated experience in process improvement, workflow optimization, automation, and emerging AI capabilities. This individual must be comfortable independently assessing current-state processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and driving solutions through implementation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with subject matter experts across AP, AR, Payroll, General Ledger, Treasury, and other finance functions to document current-state processes, SOPs, policies, and procedures.
• Develop detailed end-to-end process maps, flowcharts, and swimlane diagrams using tools such as Visio or Lucidchart.
• Assess existing finance and accounting workflows to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, manual processes, control gaps, and opportunities for standardization and improvement.
• Identify and implement opportunities to automate manual finance processes through workflow tools, systems enhancements, RPA, AI/GenAI, or other technology solutions.
• Translate identified improvement opportunities into actionable solutions and independently drive initiatives from assessment and design through implementation.
• Ensure redesigned processes maintain appropriate internal controls, segregation of duties, and audit readiness.
• Develop user guides, training materials, and updated procedures to support adoption of new processes, technologies, and automated workflows.
• Work closely with Accounting, Finance, Financial Systems, IT, and other stakeholders to ensure process and technology solutions are practical, scalable, and sustainable.

Requirements

• Strong experience in finance/accounting transformation, process optimization, or business process improvement.
• Hands-on experience assessing and improving processes across areas such as AP, AR, GL/close, Payroll, and Treasury.
• Demonstrated experience implementing automation, workflow technology, RPA, AI/GenAI, or similar process-enhancement solutions within Finance or Accounting.
• Strong experience creating SOPs, process documentation, process maps, and workflow diagrams.
• Ability to understand accounting processes, controls, systems, and data flows from both a functional and technical perspective.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to independently drive an initiative from current-state assessment through implementation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interview SMEs, challenge existing processes, and partner effectively with both finance and technical stakeholders.

Schedule

Hybrid, 3 days/week onsite in Union Square, Manhattan.

Pay

$80-95/hour