Director of Accounting

Garda is seeking a Director of Accounting – Management Company to join our senior leadership team, based in our Wayzata office. This role reports to the Controller and Head of Tax and holds strategic ownership over the accuracy, integrity, and scalability of financial reporting across all management company entities globally. The Director will serve as a trusted advisor across the organization, driving both operational excellence and long-term infrastructure development for the management company accounting function.

Position Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Set the strategic direction for the management company accounting function, including establishing priorities, allocating resources, and building and managing a high-performing team aligned to Garda's growth objectives.
• Serve as a senior thought partner to the Controller and executive leadership on financial reporting, policy decisions, and operational initiatives.
• Build and develop a team of accounting professionals, establishing a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting

• Own the end-to-end financial reporting cycle for all management company entities, including monthly and annual close, consolidation, intercompany activity, and multi-currency reporting under both US and applicable non-US GAAP frameworks.
• Provide authoritative technical accounting guidance; lead the development and documentation of accounting policies to ensure audit-readiness and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.
• Review and approve financial statements for internal stakeholders and external reporting obligations with a high standard of accuracy and completeness.

Controls, Governance & Risk

• Define and enforce the internal control framework for the management company accounting function, proactively identifying gaps and driving remediation.
• Serve as the primary executive liaison to external auditors; lead audit strategy, manage multi-entity fieldwork, and ensure timely, issue-free audit completions.
• Oversee documentation standards and review procedures to support a well-controlled, audit-ready environment at all times.

Process Transformation & Infrastructure

• Lead the evaluation and redesign of accounting processes, implementing scalable best practices across close management, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Champion automation and systems initiatives to eliminate manual processes, reduce operational risk, and increase reporting velocity.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders in Tax, Legal, Compliance, and Operations to support regulatory filings, entity governance, and firmwide initiatives.

Qualifications & Desired Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA strongly preferred
• Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior leadership or director-level role; Big 4 or large public accounting firm experience strongly preferred
• Deep technical knowledge of US GAAP with demonstrated experience authoring and defending accounting policy documentation at an audit-ready standard
• Proven track record of building and scaling accounting teams and functions within complex, multi-entity organizations
• Experience with multi-entity, multi-currency consolidation, intercompany eliminations, and local GAAP adjustment books
• Strong command of the full financial reporting cycle, including accrual accounting, expense allocations, balance sheet reconciliations, and internal controls
• Significant experience in the alternative investment management industry; familiarity with partnership and fund structures strongly preferred
• Experience with NetSuite ERP a plus
• Demonstrated ability to influence across organizational levels and lead through ambiguity in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment

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