Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

About the role

The Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) is the senior executive responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and governance of all accounting and financial reporting across CardWorks, Inc., with enterprise-wide impact and strategic oversight that includes supporting Merrick Bank, our banking subsidiary and two other servicing subsidiaries.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction across all enterprise accounting and financial reporting activities.
• Lead the accounting function, responsible for operational execution across general ledger accounting, close processes, AP/AR, payroll, SOX/ICFR execution, and financial reporting production.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of financial information across all entities.
• Establish and maintain a scalable accounting operating model aligned with business growth and regulatory expectations.
• Serve as Chief Accounting Officer with executive accountability for financial statement integrity, accounting policies, and accounting standards.
• Provide governance, design, and oversight of the Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR)/SOX framework, including monitoring program performance, escalation of deficiencies, and oversight of remediation activities managed operationally by the VP, Accounting & Financial Reporting.
• Lead technical accounting, interpretation of complex accounting issues, development of accounting policies, and preparation for SEC reporting requirements.
• Design and oversee disclosure controls and procedures (DCP), including a scalable disclosure committee cadence, certification/sub-certification process, and documentation to support executive certifications and public-company governance expectations.
• Oversee accounting and reporting readiness for equity and share-based compensation, including valuation coordination, required disclosures, and earnings-per-share (EPS) considerations as applicable.
• Partner with Tax leadership (internal and external) to ensure appropriate accounting for income taxes, coordination of provision-related processes, and completeness of tax-related disclosures required and ongoing reporting.
• Partner with the CFO, Legal, Internal Audit, Risk, and external auditors to ensure alignment, transparency, and strong governance across the financial control environment, including disclosure controls.
• Serve as the executive lead and primary point of contact for external auditors, including audit planning, quarterly review coordination, annual audit execution, and timely issue resolution.
• Oversee the audit timeline, deliverables, and growth activities, including coordination across Accounting, Finance, Legal, Internal Audit, and third-party advisors.
• Ensure the quality and completeness of audit support, including accounting memos, significant estimates and judgments, and documentation needed to support audit and regulatory inquiries.
• Partner with the CFO and Audit Committee to provide transparency on audit status, emerging issues, and remediation plans; support Audit Committee materials and presentations.
• Act as a senior financial executive contributing to enterprise strategy, decision-making, and risk management across business units.
• Prepare and present materials for Audit Committee and executive leadership related to accounting, financial reporting, and controls-related matters.
• Communicate complex accounting and reporting topics in a clear, accessible, and business-relevant manner.
• Engage proactively with internal leadership and external auditors to maintain transparency, address issues, and support high-quality financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Master’s in accounting or related field required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) required.
• 15+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience, including experience leading accounting, reporting, and controls for complex, multi-entity organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading IPO readiness and/or public-company financial reporting, including SEC reporting, audit readiness, and SOX/ICFR program maturity.
• Prior leadership of technical accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls functions in complex organizations required.
• Big Four public accounting experience, strongly preferred.
• Experience within financial services or banking environments preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program.
• Benefits Package - Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more).
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match.
• Short- & Long-Term Disability.
• Wellness Programs.
• Group Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays.
• Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition.