Accountant

Real opportunities. Real impact. Your career, redefined.

(NOTE: A human reviews every application at Oceans, so please apply for only one position and only once a year—if you're a better fit for another role, we’ll route your application accordingly and if we’re not quite ready for you, we’ll reach back out later.)

At Oceans, we help the best and brightest of Sri Lanka to take advantage of opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them, while supporting entrepreneurs around the world. Our community (we call them Divers) don’t do surface work—they go deep to solve complex challenges and make a real impact. And in doing so, they support bold ideas and expand their skills, broaden their expertise, and grow their careers, all without having to leave family and friends.

As an Accountant, you’ll work with one of our clients from an early-stage startup or small and mid-sized business delivering clarity, stability, and financial insight. This is a hands-on role for an individual who thrives on solving real-world business challenges, not just balancing books. You’ll bring structure to chaos, apply accounting principles pragmatically, and help leaders translate financial data into operational decisions.

Accountability

Your success as an Accountant will be measured by your ability to ensure financial accuracy, support strategic decision-making, and help clients maintain clarity and control in their operations. Here’s how you’ll make an impact:

Core Accounting & Reporting

• Lead month-end close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, and expense allocations.
• Ensure accurate transaction classification across systems such as QBO, Xero, and NetSuite.
• Prepare timely, insightful financial reports for both internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Interpret and apply accounting standards (local, IFRS, or equivalent) with business practicality.

Client Partnership & Financial Advisory

• Manage AR/AP cycles and conduct cash flow analyses to support day-to-day operations.
• Perform variance analysis and explain the “why” behind the numbers to non-finance stakeholders.
• Assist with audit preparation and liaise with external auditors and accounting partners.
• Support ad hoc financial needs, including system implementations, investor reporting, or due diligence.

Process Optimization & Best Practices

• Stay up to date with technical developments and evolving accounting practices.
• Recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, and clarity for clients.
• Help build scalable finance systems that support business growth and complexity.

Colleagues

Your primary stakeholder will be your client, cross-functional business operations teams, and occasionally external auditors or consultants. You’ll be expected to contribute clear communication, sound judgment, and a high standard of accuracy to every interaction.

At Oceans, you’ll also receive guidance and support from your Operations Manager, who will help you succeed in the role and ensure that you’re continuously growing and developing in your career.

Skills and Qualifications

At Oceans, we believe in T-shaped individuals—those who bring deep expertise in one area, paired with broad curiosity and interests.As an Accountant, your vertical focus will be on financial accuracy and reporting, while your horizontal strengths will include process thinking, communication, and business judgment.

To excel in this role, you should have:

• Language Skills: Professional fluency in English, with excellent communication skills (reading, writing, speaking).
• Experience: At least 4 years of experience in accounting and finance. Audit experience from a Big Four or national accounting firm is preferred.
• Tools: Proficiency with QuickBooks Online (QBO), Xero, or NetSuite is preferred.
• Certifications: CA/CPA qualification is a plus.
• Education: An undergraduate degree in Business Administration, ideally with an emphasis in Accounting or Finance.
• Analytical Strength: You have strong attention to detail, with the ability to perform variance analysis and spot inconsistencies.
• Process Discipline: You can execute month-end activities and reconciliations with precision, meeting deadlines with consistency.

Diversity of experience is core to Oceans. You are expected to work inclusively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, ensuring that both personal and collective dignity are supported.

During the interview process, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your skills in the following areas:

• Accounting Acumen: How do you ensure accurate, timely reporting across systems and clients?
• Client Collaboration: Can you make financials make sense to non-finance people?
• Process Thinking: How do you bring structure and stability to messy or complex workflows?
• Audit Coordination & Compliance: How have you managed internal and external audits while ensuring regulatory compliance?
• Adaptability: How do you handle fast-changing business environments and conflicting priorities?

Role Specifications

This is a remote role, where you will be expected to work a split shift with some overlap with our client’s time zone. You will, however, be expected to be present for in-person training programs during your first 90 days with us. During the offer process, we’ll share more information about our benefits and compensation philosophy, considering both market trends and individual factors.

About Oceans

At Oceans, we build remote teams that connect the world’s top 1% of talent with visionary leaders. With us, you’re not just doing a job—you’re redefining your career with opportunities designed to unlock your potential. We welcome the chance to discuss the complementary parts of our business during your interview process and encourage questions about where we are and where we are going.