Lead Accounting Operations - Freelance

Project overview

Our client, a fast-growing tech player present in several countries, is looking for a Lead Accounting Operations to temporarily replace the head of its accounting teams. The mission begins with a handover from the current role holder. You will then lead an already structured organization that is growing rapidly, with tight closing deadlines and varied accounting issues.

You will report to the Group Accounting Director. You will work in French and English on a daily basis.

Lead the accounting organization

Maintain closing discipline

Improve processes

Compliance and audit

Candidate Profile

We are primarily looking for a demanding manager, comfortable with challenging and escalating, rigorous, and who enjoys improving processes.

Profiles whose experience is limited to less complex environments (single activity, traditional sector, few entities), or who have not managed closings under tight deadlines with a team of at least 10 people, will not be considered.

Work Environment

The client is a player in the digital sector, a fast-growing tech company present in several countries. Its accounting organization is already structured around R2R, O2C, and P2P scopes. It works transversally with FP&A, Treasury, Tax, and Financial Control. It also liaises with statutory auditors, tax advisors, and local teams.

The context is international and multi-entity. The primary reporting standard is IFRS, in addition to French GAAP and local rules. Closing deadlines are tight. SAP S/4HANA is an asset.

Terms

• Directly manage the R2R, O2C, and P2P Accounting Managers, and through them, a team of over 10 people.
• Define the roles, responsibilities, and KPIs for each manager, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Develop the managers and contributors in their responsibilities.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual closings from end to end, without being the operator.
• Anticipate delays with the R2R manager and handle escalations.
• Ensure audit-ready accounts for all group entities.
• Identify bottlenecks.
• Lead automation, reliability, and control initiatives.
• Work with FP&A, Treasury, Tax, and Financial Control.
• Act as the point of contact for statutory auditors, tax advisors, and local teams.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, French GAAP, and local regulations.
• Accounting expertise: DEC, CPA, ACCA, or equivalent.
• 12 to 20 years of experience in accounting, including at least 3 years in audit at a Big Four firm.
• At least 5 years of management experience, including successful experience managing managers.
• Management of multi-entity closings under tight deadlines, in a complex international group, with a team of at least 10 people.
• In-depth mastery of IFRS and French GAAP.
• Experience in a tech scale-up or a high-growth company is a real plus.
• SAP S/4HANA: a plus.
• Fluent English is essential, used daily, as well as French.
• Reporting to: Group Accounting Director.
• Working languages: French and English daily.
• Location: Paris and the Paris region.
• Remote work: 1 day per week.
• Schedule: Full-time, 5 days per week.
• Start date: November 16, 2026, with a handover from the current role holder before the end of December 2026.
• Duration: 9 months.

Project details

• Start: 15/11/2026
• Duration: 9 mois renouvelable
• Remote: hybrid
• Location: Paris, France, FR
• Rate: 119-131 EUR/h
• Languages: French