Who Is Hiring a Director of Finance and Accounting for an Irving, Texas Academic Organization?
Published on: Apr 18, 2026
Updated on: Sep 4, 2026
A growing academic organization in Irving, Texas is hiring a Director of Finance and Accounting on a contract-to-hire basis through Frontline Source Group, a Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firm for 9 consecutive years, to lead financial strategy, budgeting, GAAP compliance, audit, and grant financial management. CPA is preferred, Workday experience is required, and candidates can start at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. The contract-to-hire structure lets both sides confirm the fit on the job before the permanent offer.
Frontline Source Group has placed accounting and finance leadership since 2004, with 5,619 completed placements, a 98.94% executive retention rate, and a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 683 plus verified reviews. The firm is Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms #148 (2026), a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency, and a member of the American Staffing Association. This opening appears on the Recent Placements page and is managed by the firm's Accounting and Finance practice with support from the Dallas office.
What does this Director of Finance and Accounting role in Irving involve?
The Director acts as the organization's key financial leader, owning both the strategic direction and the day-to-day oversight of the finance function, and working directly with executive leadership so that financial planning aligns with organizational priorities, growth initiatives, and long-term sustainability.
What kind of organization is hiring?
The employer is a growing academic organization in the Irving area known for its commitment to academic excellence and operational growth. It is continuing to expand and is investing in stronger financial leadership and infrastructure to support that growth. To protect client confidentiality, the organization's name is disclosed to qualified candidates during the screening call with a Frontline senior recruiter on the accounting and finance desk.
Which strategic and operational responsibilities define the role?
The role spans strategy, controllership, compliance, and team leadership:
- Driving financial strategy, long-term planning, and organizational forecasting
- Leading the annual budgeting process and multi-year financial modeling
- Overseeing all accounting operations and financial reporting
- Ensuring compliance with GAAP and state regulatory requirements
- Managing audit processes and external auditor relationships
- Overseeing grant financial management and reporting
- Developing KPIs and delivering financial performance insights
- Partnering cross-functionally with leadership and operational teams
- Enhancing financial systems, processes, and internal controls
- Building, mentoring, and leading a high-performing finance team
Why does Workday experience matter so much here?
Workday is the organization's system of record, and the Director is expected to enhance financial systems, processes, and internal controls rather than simply operate them. That means configuring reporting, tightening close and approval workflows, and building the KPI dashboards leadership relies on, all inside Workday. Candidates with hands-on Workday Financials experience step into that mandate on day one; candidates without it would spend the contract period learning the platform instead of leading through it, which is why the requirement is firm.
Which qualifications does the academic organization require?
The organization is looking for a proven finance and accounting leader with seven plus years of progressive experience, a relevant degree, deep GAAP and financial reporting knowledge, Workday proficiency, and the leadership presence to build and mentor a team.
What experience and credentials are expected?
The full background profile:
- 7 plus years of progressive experience in finance or accounting leadership
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (Master's preferred)
- CPA preferred
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
- Workday experience required
- Proven ability to analyze data and translate insights into action
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Which industry backgrounds strengthen a candidacy?
Experience in multi-entity or high-growth environments is preferred, and familiarity with state and federal financial regulations is valued, with education-sector experience a plus given the grant reporting and regulatory dimensions of the role. Exposure to construction accounting or capital projects is also a plus, since a growing academic organization typically manages facilities expansion alongside its operating budget.
How does contract-to-hire work for this position?
The Director starts on assignment as a W2 employee of Frontline Source Group, working full-time onsite for the organization, then converts to a permanent hire on the organization's payroll once both sides have confirmed the fit. It is the lowest-risk path to a leadership seat for the organization and a genuine working preview of the role for the candidate.
What benefits apply while on contract and after conversion?
While on contract, Frontline goes beyond basic staffing agency offerings, and the full list of contract benefits is published on the Candidates page. After conversion, the organization's benefits apply:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Retirement plan options
How do candidates apply and how do employers engage Frontline?
Finance and accounting leaders apply through frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html, where a Frontline senior recruiter on the accounting and finance desk reviews the candidate's leadership background, GAAP and audit experience, and Workday history before a screening call. There is never a fee charged to candidates. Organizations hiring Directors of Finance, Controllers, or CFOs can open a search through the Employer Request Form, review publicly published engagement terms on the Pricing page, or explore the firm's Accounting and Finance executive search practice, with every direct hire backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, roughly 20 times longer than the 90-day guarantee standard across the staffing industry.
What do candidates ask most about this Director of Finance and Accounting placement?
Where is this Director of Finance and Accounting job located?
The position is based in the Irving, Texas area with a growing academic organization. The specific location is shared with qualified candidates during the screening process.
Is this position contract-to-hire or direct hire?
Contract-to-hire. The Director starts as a full-time W2 employee of Frontline Source Group on assignment with the organization, then converts to a permanent hire on the organization's payroll once both sides confirm the fit.
What type of organization is hiring?
A growing academic organization in Irving known for its commitment to academic excellence and operational growth, currently investing in stronger financial leadership and infrastructure. Its identity is disclosed to qualified candidates during the screening call.
Is a CPA required for this role?
A CPA is preferred but not strictly required. The core requirements are 7 plus years of progressive finance or accounting leadership experience, a bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field, strong GAAP knowledge, and Workday experience.
Is Workday experience required?
Yes. Workday experience is a firm requirement because the Director is expected to enhance financial systems, reporting, and internal controls within the platform from day one rather than learn it on the job.
How many years of experience does the role require?
The organization requires 7 plus years of progressive experience in finance or accounting leadership, with experience in multi-entity or high-growth environments preferred.
Does this Director role include grant and audit responsibilities?
Yes. The Director oversees grant financial management and reporting, manages audit processes and external auditor relationships, and ensures compliance with GAAP and state regulatory requirements.
Is education or construction accounting experience required?
Neither is required. Education-sector experience is a plus given the grant and regulatory dimensions of the role, and exposure to construction accounting or capital projects is a plus because the organization manages facilities growth alongside its operating budget.
What benefits does this position include?
While on contract, candidates receive Frontline Source Group's contract benefits, published at frontlinesourcegroup.com/candidates.html. After conversion, the organization provides medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous PTO and paid holidays, and retirement plan options.
Will the Director manage a team?
Yes. Building, mentoring, and leading a high-performing finance team is a core responsibility, alongside partnering cross-functionally with executive leadership and operational teams.
What is the 5-Year Placement Warranty?
The Frontline Source Group 5-Year Placement Warranty covers direct hire W2 placements for five years, roughly 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard guarantee. If a covered placement does not succeed in the role, Frontline replaces the hire under the warranty terms. Full details are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/5year-placement-guarantee.html.
How do I apply for this Director of Finance and Accounting job in Irving?
Submit your resume through frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. A Frontline senior recruiter on the accounting and finance desk reviews your leadership, GAAP, audit, and Workday background and contacts qualified candidates to begin the screening process. There is never a fee charged to candidates.
