Chief Accounting Officer

About World Business Lenders 

• World Business Lenders (WBL) is a privately held portfolio lender specializing in real estate-secured business loans and providing access to capital for under-served businesses that lack traditional funding options. Founded in 2011, WBL is majority institutionally owned and a best-in-class specialty finance servicer and default manager. WBL has a fully remote, multinational workforce of ~200 and a proven, seasoned leadership team consisting of several USMA graduates and former Army Officers.
• Typically, the work schedule is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, though additional hours may be required based on business needs.
  

Position Overview

• This role leads the accounting organization through a critical period of modernization and scale, with title and scope calibrated to the selected candidate's experience level (Chief Accounting Officer for seasoned executive leaders; Director of Accounting for high-potential leaders growing into executive scope). 
• The ideal candidate will have direct experience within the Non-QM mortgage lending industry, with a strong understanding of specialty finance, lending operations, and financial reporting requirements specific to mortgage lending environments. 
• The individual will build, professionalize, and scale accounting operations, systems, and talent to support a growing organization, while ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting. 
• This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both technical accounting depth and organizational-building capability.
  

Role Purpose

• To transform the accounting function from its current state into a scalable, well-controlled, modern organization capable of supporting the company's growth trajectory.
• This position drives the design and implementation of accounting processes, systems, and controls; builds and develops a high-performing accounting team; and partners with Finance, FP&A, and business leadership to ensure accounting operations enable rather than constrain business objectives.

What You'll Be Doing (Core Responsibilities)

• Organizational Building & Team Leadership

• Recruit, hire, and develop a scalable accounting team structure (staff accountants through senior management) aligned with growth projections and complexity of the business.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and career paths within the accounting organization; build a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular performance management, coaching, and professional development; identify and close skill gaps through training and hiring.
• Build succession planning and cross-training practices to reduce key-person risk within the accounting function.
• Process & Systems Modernization
• Assess current accounting processes, systems, and controls; develop and execute a roadmap to modernize the general ledger, close process, and supporting sub-ledgers.
• Lead evaluation and implementation of modern accounting/ERP systems or system upgrades; reduce reliance on manual, spreadsheet-based processes.
• Standardize and document accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls in accordance with GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Drive automation of routine accounting tasks (reconciliations, journal entries, reporting) to improve efficiency and reduce error rates.
• Shorten the monthly/quarterly close cycle while improving accuracy and control quality
• Financial Reporting & Controls
• Own the integrity and timeliness of financial statements, ensuring compliance with GAAP and, if applicable, SEC reporting requirements.
• Design and maintain a strong internal control environment; manage relationships with external auditors and coordinate annual audit process.
• Oversee technical accounting matters including revenue recognition, FAS 91, CECL , and other complex areas relevant to the business.
• Ensure accurate and timely tax provision, compliance filings, and coordination with external tax advisors.
• Reporting Relationship & Team Structure
• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
• Direct Reports: Finance and Treasury Manager, Accounting manager, staff accountants, Accounts Payable/Receivable teams, Treasury/Bank Reconciliation teams, Tax department, Loan Administration department (structure scales with organizational growth).

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA required; working knowledge of FAS 91 and CECL accounting rules and practices strongly preferred.
  

Required Experience:

• Direct experience working within a Non-QM mortgage company is required.
• Candidates must have industry experience in Non-QM mortgage lending, specialty mortgage finance, or a closely related mortgage lending environment. 
• Experience in financial services, lending, and mortgage accounting operations, including exposure to loan portfolios, servicing, and related accounting requirements. 
• CAO track: 12+ years progressive accounting experience with 5+ years in a senior leadership role (Controller, Assistant Controller, or CAO). 
• Director track: 8–12 years progressive accounting experience with demonstrated team leadership and process improvement impact. 
• Experience in a growth-stage or scaling organization strongly preferred. 
• CPA required; working knowledge of FAS 91 and CECL accounting rules and practices strongly preferred. 
• Familiarity with Sage 300 a plus..
  

Remote Work Requirements

• Stable, reliable internet connection.
• Professional and dedicated remote working setup.

Required Industry Background: 

• Non-QM Mortgage Lending (required)  

• Specialty Mortgage Finance  

• Commercial Lending  

• Real Estate Finance  

• Portfolio Lending  

• Financial Services  

Preferred Additional Experience: 

• Banking  

• FinTech / Financial Technology  
• Growth-stage or scaling companies
  

Key Soft Skills:

• Executive Leadership
• Team Building & Development
• Process Improvement Mindset
• Strategic Problem Solving
• Change Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Strong Communication & Stakeholder Management

Specific Technical Skills Needed:

• Mortgage Lending Accounting & Loan Portfolio Accounting 
• Loan Accounting (including FAS 91, CECL, and related lending standards) 
• US GAAP Accounting
• Financial Reporting & Close Management
• SOX & Internal Controls
• Technical Accounting (CECL, FAS 91, Revenue Recognition)
• ERP & Accounting Systems Implementation
• Process Automation & Optimization
• Audit Management
• Advanced Excel & Financial Systems