Mavi bets on the AI boom creating demand for a new kind of accountant

Mavi launched from stealth this week, unveiling a $4 million seed round led by Harlem Capital and a platform designed to connect U.S. companies with global accounting and finance professionals who are proficient with AI tools. Founded in 2023 by Molly Liu and Aman Puri, the marketplace prioritizes full-time, long-term placements at mid and senior levels rather than short-term or entry-level roles. The company says it already has more than 3,000 accounting professionals on its platform and serves enterprise clients including personal care company Athena Club.

The service aims to reduce friction for U.S. employers that hesitate to hire international talent by taking on administrative tasks such as cross-border contracts, legal and compliance, and payroll. Mavi positions itself as a provider of candidates who not only hold finance and accounting fundamentals but also can operate and supervise AI-driven tools, integrate large language models into workflows, and work with AI-native ERPs.

Molly Liu, who previously worked at Ramp, Lyft, and Dropbox, argues the accounting profession faces two linked challenges: an overall contraction in headcount and a skills gap as AI automates many entry-level tasks. She says that will shrink the pipeline of professionals progressing into mid-level roles and increase demand for experienced accountants who can apply judgment and manage AI outputs.

Mavi’s stated focus is to supply that higher-skill layer of talent that can augment in-house finance teams and meet rising expectations for judgment and AI oversight in senior positions. By combining a curated global talent pool with operational support for cross-border employment, the company seeks to offer a faster route to fill specialized finance roles for U.S. firms.