Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Type: Full-time, in-person
THE OPPORTUNITY
Harrison Gray Search is partnering with a private equity-backed, multi-site commercial fleet services platform to identify a Vice President, Accounting. Our client is building a differentiated national network of high-quality commercial truck repair shops and mobile service providers focused on delivering reliable inspections, preventative maintenance, and repair services to small and mid-sized commercial fleets. The platform is growing rapidly through both organic expansion and disciplined M&A, and is in an active build phase across finance, operations, and shared infrastructure. This is a founding-team leadership seat on the finance function.
ABOUT THE BUSINESS
Our client operates in a large, fragmented, and increasingly professionalizing corner of the commercial fleet services market. Fleets are demanding higher uptime, tighter regulatory compliance, and more dependable service partners, and many independent repair shop owners have built strong businesses but lack the infrastructure, capital, and systems required to scale across multiple locations.
The platform partners with leading independent repair operators and integrates them into a performance-driven operating model designed to elevate shop performance and deliver consistent, high-quality services to fleet customers. The model provides operational best practices and performance metrics, centralized parts procurement and vendor relationships, technology and shop management systems, and technician recruiting, training, and development support. Great independent shops keep their local leadership, culture, and customer relationships, while gaining the tools and resources to grow and scale.
THE ROLE
The Vice President, Accounting will serve as the hands-on leader of all accounting, financial controllership, and financial reporting activities across a rapidly growing, multi-location commercial fleet services platform. The role will play a critical part in building scalable financial infrastructure, ensuring accurate and timely reporting, strengthening internal controls, and supporting the company’s continued growth through acquisitions and operational expansion. The VP will oversee day-to-day accounting operations while helping establish best-in-class financial processes and systems across the organization.
Given the dynamic and entrepreneurial nature of the platform, agility, accountability, and a willingness to operate both strategically and tactically are essential. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable driving high-level financial initiatives and rolling up their sleeves to execute detailed accounting work in a fast-paced environment. As the platform continues to grow through both organic expansion and M&A activity, this role will be instrumental in integrating newly acquired businesses, standardizing financial processes, and developing a scalable accounting organization.
This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing platform at a pivotal stage of expansion, with significant visibility and impact across the organization, direct partnership with executive leadership on growth and strategic initiatives, and the mandate to shape the financial foundation of the business.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Partner closely with the CEO and CFO to lead, develop, and scale all accounting and controllership functions across a multi-site commercial fleet maintenance and repair organization
- Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, cash management, and inventory and parts accounting
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting
- Prepare and review consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP
- Perform and oversee balance sheet reconciliations, revenue recognition analysis, expense accruals, and payroll reconciliations
- Develop, implement, and maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures
- Partner with operational leadership to improve financial visibility into shop-level performance, labor utilization, parts margins, and operational KPIs
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and monthly variance analysis processes
- Monitor and analyze financial performance, cash flow, EBITDA, working capital, and covenant compliance in a leveraged environment
- Lead purchase accounting and financial integration efforts for acquisitions, including onboarding acquired businesses into the platform’s financial systems and processes
- Assist with implementation, optimization, and ongoing administration of ERP and financial reporting systems, including NetSuite or similar platforms
- Collaborate with external auditors, tax advisors, lenders, and other third-party partners
- Support tax filings, sales and use tax compliance, and payroll tax administration across multiple jurisdictions
- Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance scalability, efficiency, accuracy, and internal reporting capabilities
- Build, mentor, and manage a growing accounting and finance team over time
- Provide financial guidance and decision support to senior leadership
- Stay current on accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices relevant to fleet services, transportation, and multi-location operations
- Participate in special projects and other duties consistent with a rapidly growing organization
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
- CPA designation required
- 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with increasing levels of responsibility
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
- Experience managing month-end close, consolidations, and multi-entity accounting environments
- Proficiency with NetSuite or similar ERP systems
- Experience operating in a leveraged, private equity-backed, or high-growth environment preferred
- Demonstrated experience supporting acquisitions, roll-up strategies, and post-acquisition integrations
- Strong understanding of operational accounting in a multi-location services business
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, with the capability to communicate financial concepts clearly across all levels of the organization
- Proven leadership experience managing and mentoring accounting teams
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and evolving environment
- High attention to detail with strong ownership mentality and execution skills
- Willingness to be hands-on and deeply involved in day-to-day operations while helping build scalable infrastructure for future growth
WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY
- Founding-team leadership seat on the finance function of a PE-backed multi-site services platform in a large, fragmented, professionalizing market
- Direct partnership with executive leadership from day one, with the mandate to shape the financial foundation of the business
- Real M&A integration ownership through an active acquisition pipeline
- Team-building mandate: hire, mentor, and scale the accounting and finance organization over time
- Grand Rapids, MI base with a strong cost-of-living profile and deep local finance and accounting talent pool