Accounting is entering a new era. One where the firms that grow, adapt, and thrive will be the ones that invest in how work gets done. One led by dedicated operations leaders who connect accounting firm technology and strategy.

Across the profession, we’re seeing a new kind of leader emerge: someone who bridges the gap between technology, operations, and business strategy. Whether they hold the title of Director of Operations, Firm Technology Lead, or Process Improvement Strategist, their mission is to drive meaningful change by connecting systems, simplifying workflows, and unlocking capacity.

These are the people rethinking the way work flows through the firm. And they’re not a luxury, they’re becoming a necessity.

Why firms need operations leadership now

The trend isn’t isolated. According to Gartner, 80% of midsize enterprises will have an “operations partner” role focused on digital transformation by 2026. In accounting, we’re seeing this manifest as firms consolidate tech stacks, embrace automation, and rethink their internal infrastructure. Not just to cut costs, but to create space for growth.

In the past, this kind of work might have fallen to IT or a tech-savvy partner. Today, it’s clear: firms need someone dedicated to optimizing the systems behind the services. Someone who can evaluate solutions based on true fit for a firm’s unique needs, and who can rally teams around adoption and impact.

You can’t hire your way out of capacity problems

As client demands rise and the talent pipeline narrows, firms are realizing they can’t solve every challenge with more headcount. Hiring a dedicated operations leader is a strategic move – not just to ease the load today, but to build sustainable processes for tomorrow. Explore how firms are rethinking talent and capacity.

How operations leaders drive ROI on accounting tech

Accounting firms are spending more than ever on technology. In fact, according to Inside Public Accounting (IPA),  accounting firms increased their technology spend from 3.89% of revenue in 2015 to 5.25% in 2024, reflecting a steady upward trend in tech investment.

But without clear ownership from an operations leader, the return on accounting technology investments often falls short. A tech + ops leader ensures that investments don’t just sit idle, but instead get implemented, integrated, and fully realized. They:

• Align software decisions with firm strategy
• Map and improve core processes across departments
• Connect data into usable insights
• Train and support teams to adapt to new ways of working
• Spot inefficiencies and fix them before they cost the firm time, revenue, or talent

Ops roles are the next wave of accounting transformation 

This shift mirrors what we’ve seen in other functions. Marketing has marketing ops. Sales has revenue ops. Legal has legal ops. These roles emerged when those departments reached a tipping point when tools, complexity, and expectations outgrew traditional models.

Accounting is at that same tipping point today. Technology isn’t optional. Process improvement isn’t “nice to have.” And capacity isn’t something you can just hire your way out of anymore. Here’s what the data shows about this new accounting role: 

• Demand is growing fast. Robert Half lists accounting operations among the most in-demand roles in finance today.
• Firms are scaling ops early. Modern firms like FutureFirm note that Director of Operations or COO roles appear as early as the 5–10 person mark.
• Titles are evolving. Job boards show growth in titles like “Head of Technology & Operations,” “Director of Process Improvement,” and “Growth Operations Manager” specifically within accounting firms.
• Tech + ops = high impact. Firms are increasingly seeking candidates who can connect systems, automate workflows, and drive measurable capacity gains.
• These roles own transformation: It’s not just back-office work. These leaders are managing vendor selection, process change, and cross-functional tech adoption.

Forward-thinking firms are responding by creating new roles that reflect this reality. They’re bringing in leaders who aren’t just managing projects. They’re shaping strategy and driving transformation. Expect these roles to become more common – and more critical – as firms continue to modernize.

How to hire an operations leader for your accounting firm

If you’re thinking about how to scale smarter, retain top talent, and make your systems work harder for you it might be time to think about this role.

This isn’t just a new hire. It’s the future of leadership. Operations roles in accounting firms are becoming essential to scale, adapt, and thrive.

We’ve created a sample job description for a Technology + Operations Lead to help you get started. It’s designed for the firms who are ready to go beyond buzzwords and build the foundation for what’s next.