Director of Quality and Independence

Overview

This role will help scale the firm-facing compliance program across a growing network of partner CPA firms. Reporting to the VP of Compliance, you will work directly with firm leaders and audit teams to navigate professional standards, independence, diligence findings, and other complex compliance matters in a practical, collaborative way.

The position is well suited for an experienced public accounting audit leader who understands how CPA firms operate and wants to apply that experience across firm quality, risk, and compliance. Deep expertise in independence or alternative practice structures is helpful but not required. Onboarding and training will be provided, along with established playbooks, experienced team members, and external advisors.

Responsibilities

Professional Standards & Compliance

• Advise firm leaders on independence, ethics, audit quality, and professional standards.
• Research complex matters and document practical conclusions.
• Maintain and improve policies, procedures, and compliance workflows.
• Oversee compliance technology such as Intapp.
• Monitor regulatory developments and translate them into guidance and training.

Partner Firm Integrations

• Provide technical oversight and accountability for compliance integration of newly partnered firms, including priorities, timelines, and key requirements.
• Advise on complex independence, regulatory, and alternative practice structure matters; escalate significant risks or delays.
• Partner with firm leadership and internal teams (Legal, M&A, Integrations, IT, Finance, HR, and Learning) to support successful execution.

Training, Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement

• Develop training and practical guidance on independence, compliance, and emerging regulatory topics.
• Assess compliance processes and controls, identify gaps, and drive corrective actions.
• Improve reporting, technology, automation, and scalable processes across the network.
• Manage and develop the Compliance team; establish clear priorities, accountability, and operating rhythms.

Team Leadership

• Manage, coach, and develop Compliance team members, with clear allocation of responsibilities, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Create operating rhythms that support timely execution, appropriate escalation, and strong service to partner firms.
• Help define the future-state Compliance organization, including roles, capabilities, use of external resources, and hiring needs as the organization grows.
• Model sound judgment, discretion, responsiveness, and a practical, partnership-oriented approach to compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 8+ years in external audit at a public accounting firm, or related professional practice, audit quality, independence, or risk experience.
• CPA strongly preferred; ideally Senior Manager, Director, or Partner-level experience.
• Strong technical judgment and ability to research and communicate complex professional standards.
• Experience improving processes, controls, or firm-wide practices.
• Strong stakeholder management and people leadership skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and diplomatically.
• High integrity, discretion, attention to detail, and a strong sense of ownership and follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications

• Independence, ethics, professional practice, or national office experience.
• M&A / partner firm integration experience.
• Intapp or similar compliance technology.
• Familiarity with peer review, quality management, licensing, or alternative practice structures.

Working Style

• Comfortable moving between technical research, process design, stakeholder conversations, and hands-on execution.
• Practical and solutions oriented, with the judgment to distinguish between matters requiring precision and matters where progress is more important than perfection.
• Collaborative and approachable, while willing to raise concerns and hold others accountable when needed.
• Able to operate effectively through change, ambiguity, and rapid growth.
• Curious, self-aware, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

The total rewards package includes base salary and benefits.

• Salary ranges are competitive within the accounting industry and are updated regularly using reliable compensation survey data.
• New hire offers are made based on experience, expertise, geographic location, and internal pay equity relative to peers.

Benefits include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (with options for fully paid employee-only coverage for health and dental)
• Company-Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Ancillary benefits such as supplemental life insurance and short-term disability options
• Classic Safe Harbor 401(k) plan with employer contributions
• Opportunities for professional growth, learning, and development including access to Becker and LinkedIn Learning

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic.