Lead Accounting Operations

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Join us to be part of a pioneering company shaping the future of AI. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. See more about our culture on https://mistral.ai/careers. 

This strategic leadership role drives the scalability, efficiency, and reliability of the Group’s accounting function. The Accounting Lead oversees the General Ledger (R2R), Accounts Payable (AP), and Accounts Receivable (AR) teams, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant financial reporting across all entities.

You will lead a growing team of 10+ people through managers, ensuring that operational excellence, process ownership, and accountability are embedded in the accounting organization. This role reports to the Group Accounting Director and plays a pivotal role in supporting the Group’s rapid global growth.

Location: Paris, France.

• Directly manage and mentor the Accounting Managers (R2R, O2C, P2P)

• Foster a high-performance, accountability-focused culture

• Ensure clear ownership of tasks and deadlines across teams

• Oversee end-to-end close processes without being the operator

• Partner closely with the R2R Manager to ensure deadlines are met and escalations handled proactively

• Ensure the team produces reliable, audit-ready financials every month, quarter, and year

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives in accounting processes, workflows, and systems
  

• Identify bottlenecks and implement solutions to increase automation, efficiency, and control
  

• Collaborate with FP&A, Treasury, Tax, and Financial Control to provide accurate data for business decision-making
  
  

• Serve as key liaison with statutory auditors, tax advisors, and local compliance teams

• Ensure the accounting function meets IFRS, French GAAP, and local regulatory requirements

• Support audit preparation and ensure team readiness

• Coach and develop managers and ICs to step up in responsibility and accountability

• Define clear roles, responsibilities, and success metrics for each manager and team member

• CPA or equivalent professional designation

• 12+ years of experience in accounting inc. 3+ years in Big4 and 5+ years of team management.

• Deep expertise in IFRS and French GAAP

• Advanced proficiency in SAP S4/HANA is a plus

• Proven leadership skills, with experience managing managers and cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated ability to enforce accountability, drive process discipline, and scale teams

• Strong communication skills, comfortable escalating and challenging

• Rigorous attention to detail, organizational agility, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 

• Proactive problem-solving mindset, with a bias for action and continuous improvement.

• Fluent in French and English