Job Title: Director of Finance (Architectural)
Job Description
This role leads the overall finance function for a high-end architecture firm, overseeing firm-wide budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and cash flow management. The Director of Finance manages core accounting operations, partners closely with senior leadership and department directors, and ensures robust financial systems and controls that support profitable growth and successful project delivery across the United States.
Responsibilities
Lead firm-wide budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring accurate, timely, and strategic financial plans that support the firm's goals.
Oversee financial reporting and cash flow management, providing clear and actionable financial insights to leadership.
Manage billing, accounts receivable, collections, accounts payable, and payroll, including ensuring compliance with applicable payroll laws.
Lead and manage a finance team of four, providing coaching, mentorship, performance management, and clear direction.
Design, oversee, and continuously improve systems for project budgeting, costing, fee tracking, financial reporting, and financial analysis.
Monitor project and firm profitability and key performance indicators (KPIs), and recommend actions to improve financial performance.
Manage relationships with external accountants, including coordination of audits, reviews, and financial reporting requirements as needed.
Maintain and develop relationships with bankers and insurance providers to support the firm's financial stability and risk management.
Manage relationships with external attorneys on finance-related matters, including contracts and compliance issues.
Coordinate tax preparation and compliance activities, ensuring timely and accurate filings in collaboration with external advisors.
Oversee insurance renewals, ensuring appropriate coverage and cost-effective arrangements for the firm.
Coordinate architectural contracts and proposals from a financial perspective, ensuring alignment with pricing, profitability, and risk guidelines.
Liaise closely with Partners on partner-specific financial matters, providing analysis, reporting, and strategic advice.
Coordinate with the Chair of the Finance Committee and support the committee's work in setting and achieving the firm's financial goals.
Partner with Department Directors, especially the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Operations, to align financial strategies with staffing, operations, and firm-wide initiatives.
Ensure effective use and optimization of the firm's financial systems, including Deltek Vantagepoint or similar platforms.
Support growth initiatives and new projects across the United States by providing financial analysis, modeling, and strategic input.
Essential Skills
10+ years of finance experience in a professional services firm within the architecture, engineering, or consulting industries, with a firm size of 50+ employees.
10+ years of AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) experience with a firm of at least 50 employees.
Proven managerial experience leading finance or accounting teams.
Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Strong experience in cash flow management and financial planning and analysis (FP&A).
Hands-on experience with billing, accounts receivable, collections, accounts payable, and payroll.
Knowledge of applicable payroll laws and related compliance requirements.
Proficiency with financial systems such as Deltek Vantagepoint or similar platforms.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
Strong financial modeling skills and the ability to interpret and present complex financial data clearly.
Experience monitoring and managing project and firm profitability and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Additional Skills & Qualifications
MBA or advanced degree in a related field is a plus.
Experience working in a high-end, design-focused or architecture environment is highly desirable.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with external accountants, bankers, insurance providers, and attorneys.
Experience coordinating tax preparation, compliance, and insurance renewals.
Experience supporting or participating in finance committees or similar governance structures.
Strong collaboration skills with senior leadership and department heads, including Human Resources and Operations.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
Proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
Comfort working in a growing firm and supporting projects and operations across multiple locations.
Work Environment
This position is based on-site five days per week in a high-end architecture firm environment in New York City. The firm employs over 100 people, and senior staff typically work a 45-hour work week, generally from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and full-time employees receive additional pay for any hours worked beyond 45 in a week. The Director of Finance works closely with partners, department directors, and project teams in a collaborative, design-driven setting, using financial systems such as Deltek Vantagepoint or similar tools to support project and firm-wide financial management.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of New York, NY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $180000.00/yr.
Medical, Dental, Vision FSA, HSA, Life, Disability 401k and company match Vacation, PTO, Paid Holidays Bi-annual bonus, spot bonuses, referral bonus
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in New York,NY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 31, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
