Director of Accounting and Business Operations

Job DescriptionJob Description Director of Accounting and Business Operations, Restaurant and Hospitality Location:

San Diego, CA Job Type:

Full Time Compensation:

$150,000 to $165,000 base salary, plus performance based incentive opportunities Overview A growing San Diego based hospitality accounting firm and affiliated restaurant group is seeking a Director of Accounting and Business Operations to help lead, build, and scale the business. This is not a traditional back office accounting role. This is a hands on leadership position focused on building and scaling both internal operations and a growing hospitality accounting business, including team development and client growth. The founder also owns and operates restaurants, giving this role direct exposure to both internal restaurant operations and external client facing accounting services. The Director will help strengthen financial systems, oversee accounting and human resources functions, build out the team, improve processes, and play a direct role in growing the accounting business. This role will be involved in expanding the client base, supporting new client acquisition, and helping build a scalable platform designed for long term growth. This is an ideal opportunity for a hospitality finance leader who wants to work closely with ownership, influence strategy, and help build something meaningful. Position Overview The Director of Accounting and Business Operations will oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, payroll, human resources administration, and process improvement for both the restaurant group and affiliated hospitality accounting business. This person will be responsible for creating structure, building accountability, developing the team, and helping the business scale. The right candidate will be comfortable operating in a growing company environment where systems are still being built and improvement opportunities are everywhere. This role requires strong restaurant accounting knowledge, leadership ability, HR awareness, client service instincts, and a builder mentality. Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership Oversee accounting operations across restaurant and hospitality related businesses Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls Provide financial insight to ownership and leadership to support operational decision making Monitor key restaurant performance metrics including labor, food cost, prime cost, and profitability Translate financial data into clear, actionable recommendations Business Growth and Client Development Drive the growth of the hospitality accounting business through active participation in new client acquisition Partner with ownership to identify, pursue, and onboard new restaurant and hospitality clients Leverage industry relationships, networking, and referrals to expand the client base Represent the firm in client facing interactions with professionalism and strong financial insight Support the development of scalable accounting services designed to attract and retain clients Help position the business as a leading accounting partner within the restaurant and hospitality space Team Building and Leadership Build, hire, train, and develop the accounting and administrative team Create clear roles, expectations, and accountability across the department Develop scalable processes that support growth without sacrificing accuracy or service quality Foster a culture of ownership, professionalism, and high performance Accounting Operations Oversee month end and year end close processes Manage accounting systems including Sage Intacct or similar platforms Improve bookkeeping, reporting, and workflow standards Ensure compliance with financial reporting standards and company policies Strengthen internal controls and financial discipline Payroll and Human Resources Oversight Oversee payroll systems and ensure accurate wage, benefit, and tax reporting Lead human resources administration including employee records, compliance, policies, and documentation Support the development of structured HR systems that scale with the business Partner with leadership on staffing strategy, organizational planning, and employee development Ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices within hospitality environments Help build a strong internal culture aligned with accountability and growth Technology and Process Improvement Identify opportunities for automation and operational efficiency Implement standardized accounting, payroll, and HR processes Develop reporting tools and dashboards that improve visibility for ownership and clients Continuously improve systems and workflows as the business grows Ideal Candidate Profile Strong accounting or finance background in restaurants, hospitality, or multi unit operations Experience overseeing accounting, payroll, reporting, and internal controls Comfortable working in an entrepreneurial, growth oriented environment Experience with Sage Intacct or similar accounting platforms preferred Strong Excel and financial analysis skills Proven ability to build teams and systems from the ground up Client facing mindset with strong communication and relationship building skills Experience or interest in business development, client acquisition, or growing a service based business strongly preferred Able to balance strategic thinking with hands on execution Leadership Attributes Entrepreneurial and growth minded Humbly confident with strong professional credibility Hands on, resourceful, and solution oriented Strong sense of ownership and accountability Comfortable building structure in a fast paced environment Able to work closely with ownership and influence key decisions Understands the realities of restaurant operations Work Environment This is an in person leadership role based in San Diego, working closely with ownership, restaurant leadership, clients, and the internal team. The environment is fast paced, entrepreneurial, and growth oriented. This role is designed for someone who wants to help build and scale a business, not just maintain one.