Executive Director of CAAS

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

About Tronconi Segarra & Associates

We are a top 3 accounting and advisory firm in Western New York with nearly 140 partners and associates, including 70 CPAs serving clients across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South & Central America. We serve all industries and have deep expertise in small business, manufacturing, education, e-commerce, aerospace & defense, construction, insurance, professional services, private equity, non-profits, and government entities. Our key services include Tax Advisory services, M&A/Transaction Advisory services, State & Local Tax services, Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS), Audit & Attestation Advisory services. We have many additional services that we specialize in. We strategically partnered with Ascend, an accounting firm platform, in 2025 to expand our footprint and enhance our capabilities and service offerings to our clients.

The Team You Will Join

At Tronconi Segarra & Associates (TSA), we empower every client to become his or her best and most confident self through the responsible provision of high-quality financial and business services, products and information. Over the years, our clients have told us that our solutions have made a difference in their businesses and given them the confidence to take the next steps – buy or sell a business, expand a plant, open a new branch, hire additional employees, prepare for the next generation to run their business, expand sales to a new country. And we’ve been with them every step of the way, providing the support, services and information they need to reach the next level of success.

The Opportunity

As the CAAS (Client Accounting & Advisory Services) Service Line Leader, you will be the strategic and operational driver of a $3–$6M practice. This role is designed for a high-impact leader who blends deep advisory expertise with a strong understanding of accounting fundamentals. You will shape the future of the CAAS practice by leading business development, overseeing client relationships, and mentoring a high-performing team. The CAAS practice is growing 30% yoy and needs to maintain this momentum through new go-to-market technology and organizational structure. This is a Director-level opportunity for a visionary professional who thrives in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. This role is central to TSA’s continued expansion and innovation in advisory services.

How You’ll Help Us Build a Confident Future:

Practice Management

• Lead the strategic direction, financial performance, and operational execution of the CAAS practice.
• Drive growth, profitability, and resource allocation aligned to Financial, Client, People, and New Business KPIs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for firm leadership on CAAS-related initiatives and performance.
• Expand and stand-up new service offerings that build on transactional accounting & controllership to add CFO Finance, CFO Business Insights, and Trusted Advisor Business Insights services.
• Guide teams in identifying opportunities for deeper engagement and value creation.

Business Development

• Act as the primary growth engine for the CAAS practice, identifying and converting new business opportunities.
• Lead prospecting efforts, client assessments, and proposal development.
• Collaborate across service lines to identify cross-sell opportunities and expand client relationships.
• Maintain a deep understanding of market trends, client needs, and competitor offerings.

Client Engagement

• Oversee key client relationships, ensuring service excellence and strategic alignment.
• Deliver high-level advisory services on an ad hoc basis, stepping in where strategic insight is needed.
• Lead or support special client presentations (e.g., board-level engagements), while delegating routine CAS delivery to the broader team.
• Ensure the new client onboarding process is efficient and seamless.
• Drive client awareness of TSA’s full suite of capabilities and offerings.
• Support client transitions when engagements no longer align with the firm’s ideal client profile.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Build and mentor a high-performing management team, preparing future leaders for advancement.
• Foster a culture of strong ownership, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide direct feedback and coaching to team members and, when necessary, clients.
• Share responsibility for recruitment and talent development with firm leadership.

Strategic Operations & Systems

• Partner with internal teams to streamline processes, improve data integrity, and enhance system efficiency.
• Advocate for process improvements in collaboration with other firm service offerings.
• Evaluate and implement technology solutions across integrated Cloud-Based GL, Workflow, Controller Tools, and Reporting & FP&A capabilities.

What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CGMA, or equivalent professional certification.
• 10+ years of experience in professional services (public accounting, consulting, or investment banking).
• Proven success in leading /building a practice or business unit with measurable growth and profitability.
• Deep understanding of accounting principles (GAAP, accrual, cash basis) and advisory services.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to translate financial data into strategic insights.

What Will Give You an Edge (Additional Skills)

• Background in audit or tax with a strong appreciation for advisory.
• Experience in pricing strategy, client segmentation, and proposal development.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to navigate complex client and team dynamics.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on innovation and measurable outcomes.

Success Measures

• Practice revenue growth (20-30% yoy).
• Client satisfaction and retention (Client Net Promoter Score of 50+, Client net retention %).
• Expansion of advisory services and cross-sell success (# New Clients Added, % of Clients with multiple advisory services).
• Team engagement, development, and retention (Employee Net Promoter Score of 30+).
• Operational efficiency and successful implementation of strategic initiatives (Revenue per Employee, Gross Margin %).

The annual base salary range for this role is $140,000-$160,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of TSA’s salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education and/or skill level.

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.