Accounting & Fiscal Consultant — Startup Support

About the Role

We’re seeking a seasoned Accounting and Fiscal Consultantto guide the financial and tax setup of a new service company in Costa Rica. The consultant will work directly with the executive and finance leadership team to ensure full regulatory compliance, efficient financial processes, and readiness for day-to-day operations.

This role is ideal for an experienced accountant who has helped establish new entities in Costa Rica, understands local and international reporting requirements, and can translate complex tax obligations into actionable systems and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory & Legal Setup

• Register the company before Ministerio de Hacienda, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), and Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) as applicable.
• Guide setup of RUT, electronic invoicing, and tax obligations.
• Establish accounting policies aligned with NIIF/IFRS for SMEs and Costa Rican law.
• Ensure compliance with income tax, VAT, municipal licenses, and tax calendar requirements.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Design the chart of accounts, cost centers, and reporting structure.
• Implement and configure accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP Business One, or local alternatives).
• Set up invoicing, collections, expense management, and payment approval workflows.
• Establish bank account procedures and reconciliation templates.
• Coordinate with payroll, HR, and operations to align cost reporting.

Fiscal & Tax Advisory

• Define and maintain tax compliance calendar (monthly/annual declarations).
• Manage withholding, VAT filings, and electronic tax submissions.
• Advise on cross-border transactions, service exports, and transfer pricing thresholds.
• Support in preparation of annual financial statements and auditor coordination.

Internal Controls & Reporting

• Develop internal control framework for expenses, procurement, and approvals.
• Create templates for monthly financial reporting, cash flow, and budget tracking.
• Support management with baseline metrics (P&L, Balance Sheet, Forecast).

Deliverables

• Entity registration checklist and confirmation (RUT, Hacienda, CCSS, INS).
• Accounting policies and chart of accounts.
• Accounting system configured and operational.
• Tax compliance calendar and submission templates.
• Internal financial reporting package (monthly).
• End-of-project compliance summary and handover guide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA or equivalent in Costa Rica) preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in accounting and fiscal compliance for Costa Rican entities.
• Proven record supporting new company setup or fiscal onboarding.
• Deep understanding of Costa Rican tax and labor obligations.
• Experience implementing accounting systems and managing electronic invoicing.
• Bilingual Spanish/English (professional working proficiency).
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, able to work autonomously.