The Finance & Accounting (F&A) Solution Architect is responsible for designing end-to-end Finance and Accounting outsourcing solutions for prospective clients. This role combines deep F&A operational expertise with business process transformation, benchmarking, commercial modeling, and proposal development capabilities. The Solution Architect works closely with sales, operations, pricing, transition, technology, and client stakeholders to develop competitive, scalable, and outcome-based solutions that address client business challenges.
The individual will lead solution design activities during pursuit and proposal phases, develop staffing and delivery models, leverage industry benchmarks to establish operational assumptions, and create compelling responses to RFPs, RFIs, and client presentations.
Key Responsibilities
Solution Design & Deal Shaping
- Design end-to-end Finance & Accounting service delivery solutions across:
- Source to Pay
- Order to Cash
- Record to Report
- Assess client requirements and translate them into scalable operating models.
- Develop service delivery strategies leveraging onshore, nearshore, offshore, and hybrid delivery models.
- Design organizational structures, staffing models, governance frameworks, and service management models.
- Identify process improvement and automation opportunities utilizing workflow, AI, OCR, RPA, and analytics solutions.
Benchmarking & Operational Analysis
- Utilize internal and external benchmark data to establish:
- Productivity assumptions
- Staffing estimates
- Cost models
- Performance targets
- Service level commitments
- Analyze transaction volumes, handling times, complexity factors, and operating metrics.
- Develop capacity models and forecasts to support deal pricing and business cases.
- Recommend best practices based on industry-leading F&A operations.
RFP & Proposal Development
- Lead the F&A solution response for RFPs, RFIs, and client pursuits.
- Develop solution narratives, executive summaries, staffing approaches, transition methodologies, and service delivery models.
- Collaborate with pricing teams to create cost models and commercial recommendations.
- Support proposal reviews and ensure alignment between solution, pricing, and operational assumptions.
- Participate in client presentations, solution workshops, and due diligence sessions.
Client Engagement
- Facilitate discovery workshops to understand client objectives, pain points, and requirements.
- Present solution recommendations to executive stakeholders.
- Respond to client questions regarding operating models, transformation opportunities, staffing, governance, and delivery capabilities.
- Serve as a trusted advisor throughout the sales lifecycle.
Transition & Transformation Planning
- Develop transition and implementation approaches for new engagements.
- Assess transition risks and mitigation strategies.
- Define governance, reporting, and continuous improvement frameworks.
- Support the handoff from sales to implementation teams.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
- 8+ years of Finance & Accounting operations, consulting, outsourcing, shared services, or business process services experience.
- 3+ years designing solutions for F&A outsourcing, managed services, or shared services organizations.
- Experience supporting large-scale RFP responses and competitive pursuits.
- Strong understanding of F&A process areas and operating models.
- Experience building staffing, productivity, and financial models using benchmark data.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Strong business writing and executive presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in BPO, shared services, consulting, or finance transformation environments.
- Knowledge of ERP platforms such as SAP, Oracle
- Experience with automation technologies including RPA, OCR, AI, and workflow platforms.
- Familiarity with Six Sigma, Lean, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Critical Competencies
Functional Expertise
- Finance & Accounting Operations
- Shared Services
- Outsourcing and Managed Services
- Benchmarking and Analytics
- Financial Modeling
- Workforce Planning
Business Development
- RFP Response Development
- Solution Design
- Deal Shaping
- Commercial Awareness
- Executive Presentation Skills
- Client Relationship Management
Leadership
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Stakeholder Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Negotiation and Influencing