Controller

About the Organization This role supports the financial and administrative operations of multiple related businesses under common ownership. The organization consists of:

• An established multi-location commercial services company operating across several states, providing specialized business-to-business services.
• A rapidly growing retail franchise operation with plans for significant regional expansion.

The Role The Controller serves as the primary financial and administrative leader across all entities. This is a hands-on role that combines traditional controllership responsibilities with broader operational and administrative oversight during a period of growth. The role has two primary components: 1. Multi-Entity Controller (Approximately 70%) Own the financial close process, tax compliance, consolidations, reporting, and internal controls across multiple legal entities. Ensure accurate, timely financial reporting and strong accounting discipline. 2. Administrative & HR Lead (Approximately 30%, declining as the organization scales) Provide day-to-day administrative and human resources support for the growing retail operation until dedicated administrative personnel are added. Responsibilities include payroll administration, benefits coordination, onboarding, and general office administration. Core Responsibilities Financial Close & Reporting

• Own the monthly close process across all entities.
• Prepare and post journal entries, accruals, deferrals, and prepaid amortizations.
• Maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation records.
• Manage and standardize the chart of accounts across multiple entities.
• Produce consolidated and entity-level financial statements.
• Review accounting work performed by internal accounting and administrative staff.
• Coordinate with and review work performed by external accounting partners.

Tax & Compliance

• Own tax compliance activities across entities, including federal, state, and local requirements.
• Coordinate with external tax advisors on annual tax filings.
• Prepare supporting schedules and ensure accurate accounting records.
• Manage tax calendars and filing deadlines.
• Serve as a liaison between ownership and external tax professionals on business and personal tax matters.

Administrative & HR Ownership

• Administer payroll for retail operations.
• Coordinate hiring, onboarding, and employee documentation.
• Manage benefits administration as programs evolve.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment regulations.
• Serve as the primary administrative contact for franchise-related financial and reporting requirements.

Systems & Controls

• Own accounting system administration across multiple entities.
• Drive standardization, process improvements, and data integrity initiatives.
• Establish and document appropriate internal controls.
• Oversee cash management activities.
• Identify opportunities for operational and financial system improvements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a Controller or similar accounting leadership role.
• Experience managing accounting for multiple legal entities.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge equivalent to CPA-level proficiency.
• Active CPA license preferred but not required.
• Deep proficiency with cloud-based accounting systems, including multi-entity environments and consolidations.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, tax compliance, and internal controls.
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Equal Opportunity Notice Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [email protected] . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. Representation Notice By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: · the individual's skill sets, experience and training; · licensure and certification requirements; · office location and other geographic considerations; and · other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits). Apply To This Job