Job Description
The Controller, Financial Accounting is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing financial accounting operations, managing a team of accounting professionals, ensuring compliance with internal controls and GAAP standards, and delivering high-quality financial services to clients. This role blends technical accounting expertise, team leadership, client relationship management, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of financial accounting professionals
- Set priorities, review work, and ensure adherence to internal controls and processes
- Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and training sessions
- Manage team capacity, PTO planning, and workload distribution
- Drive accountability for KPIs, quality standards, and deadlines
- Financial Oversight & Close Process
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes
- Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reports
- Ensure timely completion of all client deliverables
- Support 1099 reporting and compliance activities
- Research and apply GAAP standards to complex transactions
- Internal Controls & Audit
- Ensure compliance with SOC controls and internal policies
- Act as primary liaison for external auditors
- Monitor and coordinate audit evidence submission
- Recommend improvements to controls and processes
- Client Relationship Management
- Serve as a key point of contact for client engagements
- Lead client meetings and maintain strong communication channels
- Ensure high client satisfaction and proactively resolve issues
- Participate in onboarding new clients and understanding business needs
- Support billing discussions, including out-of-scope work
- Systems & Process Improvement
- Act as subject matter expert for financial systems (ERP, reporting tools, etc.)
- Support system implementations, upgrades, and data migrations
- Identify automation and efficiency opportunities
- Maintain and improve documentation, workflows, and procedures
- Business Development & Growth
- Support sales efforts, including SOW development and client discovery sessions
- Provide input on staffing models and pricing
- Identify expansion opportunities within existing client relationships
- Operational & Financial Performance
- Monitor utilization, engagement profitability, and forecast vs. actual hours
- Ensure proper time tracking and billing practices
- Optimize resource allocation and improve margins
- Culture & Organizational Contribution
- Promote a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance culture
- Participate in company initiatives, training, and events
- Act as a trusted advisor to both clients and internal teams
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
- 8–12+ years of progressive accounting experience
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting
- Experience managing teams and client relationships
- Background in audit, controllership, or outsourced accounting (BPO)
Preferred
- CPA or equivalent certification
- Experience with ERP systems and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI)
- Experience in multi-client or consulting environments
Key Competencies
- Leadership & people development
- Client relationship management
- Technical accounting expertise
- Process improvement mindset
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Analytical and problem-solving ability