COO/VP Operations, Member Firm
current-advisors
1 month ago
Full-time
On-site
Syracuse, NY
$240,000 - $300,000 USD yearly
Executive
Moneyboard classification: Published range reaches threshold
Reported USD annual base: $240,000–$300,000
Original source: Ashby
ABOUT THE COMPANY
At Current, everything starts with people. We partner with leading accounting firms across the United States, bringing them together through a shared platform that supports their growth while preserving the local identities and client relationships that make each firm unique. Our partner firms combine the close connections of a local team with the resources of a national community, giving professionals access to broader career opportunities, learning, collaboration, and innovative technology. Whether you join Current or one of our partner firms, you’ll be part of a connected team investing in your development and shaping the future of accounting.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key executive leader responsible for building the “firm of the future” — combining best-in-class professional services operations with process engineering, data/AI enablement, and modern technology to deliver a step-change in client experience, margin, and scalability.
This is a hands-on operator who can:
- Translate strategy into operating cadence, measurable outcomes, and sustained execution
- Engineer and standardize end-to-end workflows across service lines
- Lead technology-enabled transformation (AI, automation, workflow, data, client-facing platforms)
- Influence partners and senior stakeholders through change while strengthening culture and client trust
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
OPERATING MODEL & PERFORMANCE LEADERSHIP
- Own firmwide operations across offices and functions; ensure consistent execution and a high-accountability culture.
- Establish an operating cadence: weekly metrics reviews, monthly business reviews, quarterly planning, and clear ownership of initiatives.
- Define and manage KPIs that matter (capacity utilization, cycle time, SLA adherence, quality/rework, realization, NPS/CSAT, talent retention).
- Identify constraints to growth and remove bottlenecks through systems, process, and org design.
TRANSFORMATION, PROCESS ENGINEERING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Map and redesign end-to-end workflows (onboarding → delivery → review → billing → renewal) with a focus on speed, quality, and scalability.
- Build a lean/process-improvement capability inside the firm (standards, playbooks, training, continuous improvement loops).
- Standardize SOPs, templates, and controls to ensure quality and compliance while enabling delegation/offshoring where appropriate.
TECHNOLOGY & AI ENABLEMENT
- Partner with leadership to define a practical tech roadmap (workflow tools, practice management, document management, data platforms, client portals, AI copilots/agents).
- Lead change management for technology adoption: pilot, measure, refine, and scale.
- Establish governance for AI use (risk, privacy, compliance, review controls) in collaboration with Risk/Compliance and IT.
- Drive automation of routine work and elevate the team to higher-value advisory activities.
STAKEHOLDER LEADERSHIP & CHANGE MANAGEMENT
- Serve as a trusted advisor to partners and practice leaders; influence without relying on authority.
- Align cross-functional teams (Tax, Audit/Assurance, CAS, Advisory, Client Service, HR, IT, Finance) around shared outcomes.
- Communicate clearly and consistently: what is changing, why, when, and how success will be measured.
- Reinforce a culture of excellence, learning, innovation, and client-first delivery.
TALENT, ORGANIZATION & SHARED SERVICES
- Build and develop a high-performing operations leadership bench (ops, client service operations, PMO, enablement).
- Partner with HR to design scalable org structures, role clarity, performance systems, and training.
- Oversee shared services and operational infrastructure (HR Ops, IT Ops, Finance Ops, Admin) as applicable; ensure service levels and reliability.
INTEGRATION (AS RELEVANT)
- Support integration of acquired practices into the flagship operating model (process, technology, operating cadence, and culture).
- Create repeatable integration playbooks and “day 1 → day 90” execution plans.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
- 12+ years of operational leadership in professional services (accounting, consulting, legal, or adjacent), with responsibility for multi-team execution.
- Proven track record leading technology-enabled transformation (workflow modernization, automation, data/analytics, AI enablement).
- Strong process engineering mindset (Lean/Six Sigma or equivalent experience welcomed but not required).
- Able to operate at both executive altitude (strategy, stakeholder influence) and in the details (process mapping, metrics, adoption).
- Demonstrated ability to lead change in partner-led or matrixed environments.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and conflict navigation skills.
- High judgment around risk, quality, and compliance in regulated professional services.
PREFERRED (NOT REQUIRED)
- Experience in PE-backed platforms, roll-ups, or multi-site professional services organizations
- Experience building a delivery model that uses shared services / global delivery effectively
- CPA, MBA, or other relevant credential
WORKING STYLE
- Results-first, metric-driven operator who builds durable systems
- Comfortable in ambiguity; can structure problems and drive execution
- Collaborative, low-ego leader who raises the bar while bringing people along
- Curious and pragmatic about AI and technology — focused on adoption and outcomes, not hype
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE (12–24 MONTHS)
- Core delivery workflows are documented, measured, continuously improved, and scalable across offices
- The firm operates with clear operating metrics and predictable throughput (capacity, cycle time, quality)
- AI/automation is embedded into daily work in a controlled, compliant way — improving quality and freeing capacity
- Client experience is measurably stronger (responsiveness, proactive insights, consistency)
- A repeatable operating model
Reported USD annual base: $240,000–$300,000
Original source: Ashby
ABOUT THE COMPANY
At Current, everything starts with people. We partner with leading accounting firms across the United States, bringing them together through a shared platform that supports their growth while preserving the local identities and client relationships that make each firm unique. Our partner firms combine the close connections of a local team with the resources of a national community, giving professionals access to broader career opportunities, learning, collaboration, and innovative technology. Whether you join Current or one of our partner firms, you’ll be part of a connected team investing in your development and shaping the future of accounting.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key executive leader responsible for building the “firm of the future” — combining best-in-class professional services operations with process engineering, data/AI enablement, and modern technology to deliver a step-change in client experience, margin, and scalability.
This is a hands-on operator who can:
- Translate strategy into operating cadence, measurable outcomes, and sustained execution
- Engineer and standardize end-to-end workflows across service lines
- Lead technology-enabled transformation (AI, automation, workflow, data, client-facing platforms)
- Influence partners and senior stakeholders through change while strengthening culture and client trust
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
OPERATING MODEL & PERFORMANCE LEADERSHIP
- Own firmwide operations across offices and functions; ensure consistent execution and a high-accountability culture.
- Establish an operating cadence: weekly metrics reviews, monthly business reviews, quarterly planning, and clear ownership of initiatives.
- Define and manage KPIs that matter (capacity utilization, cycle time, SLA adherence, quality/rework, realization, NPS/CSAT, talent retention).
- Identify constraints to growth and remove bottlenecks through systems, process, and org design.
TRANSFORMATION, PROCESS ENGINEERING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Map and redesign end-to-end workflows (onboarding → delivery → review → billing → renewal) with a focus on speed, quality, and scalability.
- Build a lean/process-improvement capability inside the firm (standards, playbooks, training, continuous improvement loops).
- Standardize SOPs, templates, and controls to ensure quality and compliance while enabling delegation/offshoring where appropriate.
TECHNOLOGY & AI ENABLEMENT
- Partner with leadership to define a practical tech roadmap (workflow tools, practice management, document management, data platforms, client portals, AI copilots/agents).
- Lead change management for technology adoption: pilot, measure, refine, and scale.
- Establish governance for AI use (risk, privacy, compliance, review controls) in collaboration with Risk/Compliance and IT.
- Drive automation of routine work and elevate the team to higher-value advisory activities.
STAKEHOLDER LEADERSHIP & CHANGE MANAGEMENT
- Serve as a trusted advisor to partners and practice leaders; influence without relying on authority.
- Align cross-functional teams (Tax, Audit/Assurance, CAS, Advisory, Client Service, HR, IT, Finance) around shared outcomes.
- Communicate clearly and consistently: what is changing, why, when, and how success will be measured.
- Reinforce a culture of excellence, learning, innovation, and client-first delivery.
TALENT, ORGANIZATION & SHARED SERVICES
- Build and develop a high-performing operations leadership bench (ops, client service operations, PMO, enablement).
- Partner with HR to design scalable org structures, role clarity, performance systems, and training.
- Oversee shared services and operational infrastructure (HR Ops, IT Ops, Finance Ops, Admin) as applicable; ensure service levels and reliability.
INTEGRATION (AS RELEVANT)
- Support integration of acquired practices into the flagship operating model (process, technology, operating cadence, and culture).
- Create repeatable integration playbooks and “day 1 → day 90” execution plans.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
- 12+ years of operational leadership in professional services (accounting, consulting, legal, or adjacent), with responsibility for multi-team execution.
- Proven track record leading technology-enabled transformation (workflow modernization, automation, data/analytics, AI enablement).
- Strong process engineering mindset (Lean/Six Sigma or equivalent experience welcomed but not required).
- Able to operate at both executive altitude (strategy, stakeholder influence) and in the details (process mapping, metrics, adoption).
- Demonstrated ability to lead change in partner-led or matrixed environments.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and conflict navigation skills.
- High judgment around risk, quality, and compliance in regulated professional services.
PREFERRED (NOT REQUIRED)
- Experience in PE-backed platforms, roll-ups, or multi-site professional services organizations
- Experience building a delivery model that uses shared services / global delivery effectively
- CPA, MBA, or other relevant credential
WORKING STYLE
- Results-first, metric-driven operator who builds durable systems
- Comfortable in ambiguity; can structure problems and drive execution
- Collaborative, low-ego leader who raises the bar while bringing people along
- Curious and pragmatic about AI and technology — focused on adoption and outcomes, not hype
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE (12–24 MONTHS)
- Core delivery workflows are documented, measured, continuously improved, and scalable across offices
- The firm operates with clear operating metrics and predictable throughput (capacity, cycle time, quality)
- AI/automation is embedded into daily work in a controlled, compliant way — improving quality and freeing capacity
- Client experience is measurably stronger (responsiveness, proactive insights, consistency)
- A repeatable operating model