Director of Operations chez Meadows Urquhart

Description

About Meadows Urquhart

Meadows Urquhart takes pride in being a different kind of accounting firm. Our founding partners had a simple yet profound vision of a firm known for its supportive workplace culture. We knew that by creating a positive environment for our team and bringing a personal touch to client relationships, we would build genuine, long-lasting partnerships with our clients.

Founded in 2004, we are a privately held partnership named one of the fastest growing firms in 2024. Our 50 employees provide tax, assurance, and consulting services to many industries including real estate, construction, financial services, hedge funds, high net worth individuals and nonprofits. We leverage technology to service our diversified client base, providing tailored solutions in a consultative manner.

We are dedicated to each of our team member’s professional development. We provide the training, tools, and resources for each level of our firm to advance in their careers. Our comprehensive plan outlines the necessary technical and soft-skills that allow our people ownership over their career progression. View more about what it’s like to work for us here.

Giving back to the community is an essential part of our culture. Not only do we count many local nonprofits among our clients, our team members serve on many boards, engage regularly in community service and participate in annual fundraisers with numerous foundations.

Position Summary

This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the Firm’s administrative operations, workflow coordination, and internal support functions to ensure efficient, consistent, operations that are aligned with strategic objectives.

The position oversees the administration department and supports the execution of client service operations across the Firm, including coordination of tax return processing, assurance support activities, workflow management, and administrative deliverables. The role also provides leadership related to operational systems, process improvement, technology adoption, marketing coordination, and administrative efficiency initiatives.

This individual partners closely with Firm leadership, HR, service line leaders, and the Firm’s technology resource to improve operational effectiveness, support scalability, and enhance the overall employee and client experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

Oversee day-to-day administrative operations across all service lines (tax, audit, advisory)

Establish and enforce standardized workflows, timelines, and best practices

Monitor project status and proactively address bottlenecks or delays

Lead busy season execution planning and post-season debriefs

Drive consistency across teams and partners

2. Capacity & Resource Planning

Develop and maintain a firm-wide capacity model by role and service line

Align staffing levels with forecasted workload

Identify resource gaps and proactively partner with HR on hiring needs

Optimize leverage model (partner/manager/staff mix)

Reallocate resources dynamically to meet deadlines and priorities

3. Financial Management & Profitability

Provide the Managing Partner and Executive Committee with timely, accurate reporting on realization, utilization, margin, and service line profitability

Maintain operational dashboards used in monthly partner meetings

Analyze service line and client profitability

Support pricing strategy in partnership with Business Development and Partners

Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes

4. Process Improvement & Scalability

Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements

Drive adoption of technology and automation tools

Reduce cycle times and rework through standardized procedures

Build scalable systems that reduce reliance on individual partner preferences

5. Technology & Systems Leadership

Maintain awareness of emerging industry trends, operational technologies, and AI tools relevant to CPA firm administration and workflow management.

Own the Firm’s practice management, workflow, and operational technology ecosystem

Evaluate, select, and implement systems that improve workflow efficiency and scalability

Ensure integration across key platforms (tax, audit, workflow, time & billing, CRM)

Drive adoption and consistent use of technology across teams

Identify automation opportunities to reduce manual work and increase accuracy

Partner with internal or external IT resources on infrastructure, security, and support

Continuously assess ROI on technology investments

6. Performance Metrics & Accountability

Provide regular reporting to leadership on firm performance

Hold team leaders accountable to operational and financial targets

Establish a data-driven culture for decision-making

7. Cross-Functional Leadership

Partner with HR Director on workforce planning, onboarding capacity, and retention insights

Work with Business Development Partner on client acceptance, pricing, and service mix

Participate in strategic planning and leadership decision-making

8. Marketing Support

Coordinate administrative marketing and communication activities for the Firm

Assist with branding consistency and administrative marketing initiatives

Coordinate internal announcements, presentations, and Firm communications

Support leadership with community involvement and client engagement activities as needed

Requirements

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (CPA or MBA preferred)

7+ years, with demonstrated experience leading operations in a multi-partner professional services firm

Proven experience in operations, finance, or practice management leadership

Strong understanding of utilization, realization, project-based workflows, and profitability metrics

Experience with practice management and workflow systems

Track record of influencing without direct authority

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits, competitive salary, bonus and growth potential.

Flexible work schedule; we are spouses, parents, friends and family members. Everyone deserves the ability to be present for life's important moments.

Our partners are dedicated to helping team members progress in their careers and are transparent about the firm's goals. When provided the right tools and support we believe every team member has the potential to be a partner.

Extensive background checks will be performed on all candidates selected for follow-up.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Operates in a professional office environment with moderate noise levels, e.g. computers, printer, light traffic.  Use of standard office equipment (computers, phones, copiers). Long periods of sitting/standing at desk for computer work.  Exerting up to 10 lbs of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects.