Controller

Location: Greater Fort Lauderdale Area, Florida

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

About the Opportunity

Our client is a rapidly growing private equity-backed organization executing an aggressive growth strategy through both organic expansion and acquisitions. The company is building a scalable accounting and financial infrastructure designed to support continued growth, operational excellence, and future strategic objectives.

This confidential search is for a Controller who will serve as the senior accounting leader within the organization. Reporting directly to the CFO, this individual will oversee all day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, compliance, and acquisition integration activities. The CFO maintains responsibility for strategic finance, growth initiatives, and investor-related activities, while the Controller serves as the organization's accounting expert and operational accounting leader.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced private equity environment and possesses the technical expertise, leadership skills, and continuous improvement mindset necessary to help scale a high-growth organization.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Leadership & Financial Reporting

• Lead all accounting operations, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial information

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, driving efficiency and continuous improvement

• Prepare and review GAAP-compliant financial statements and supporting schedules

• Oversee multi-entity consolidations, intercompany transactions, and financial reporting requirements

• Develop executive-level reporting packages and provide meaningful financial insights to leadership

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a growing accounting organization

• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards across the team

• Build a culture centered on collaboration, ownership, continuous learning, and operational excellence

• Identify organizational needs and support the development of scalable accounting structures as the company grows

• Partner with leadership to attract, develop, and retain top accounting talent

Mergers, Acquisitions & Integration

• Lead accounting integration efforts related to acquisitions

• Support purchase accounting and post-acquisition financial integration activities

• Standardize accounting policies, controls, and reporting processes across acquired entities

• Assist with financial due diligence and integration planning initiatives

• Ensure newly acquired businesses are successfully integrated into the organization's accounting and reporting framework

Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Maintain and continuously strengthen the company's internal control environment

• Manage external audit relationships and support annual audit processes

• Oversee compliance with accounting policies and financial governance requirements

• Support cash management, forecasting, and liquidity planning initiatives

• Ensure the accounting organization remains audit-ready and capable of supporting future growth objectives

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Continuously evaluate accounting and operational processes to identify opportunities for improvement, efficiency, and scalability

• Implement accounting best practices that strengthen financial controls, reporting accuracy, and organizational effectiveness

• Drive process improvements that support faster close cycles, enhanced financial visibility, and improved decision-making

• Partner with leadership to develop and implement operational efficiencies that support growth and long-term financial health

• Lead automation, system enhancement, and workflow optimization initiatives across the accounting function

• Establish performance metrics and accountability measures that support continuous improvement and operational excellence

• Proactively identify risks, inefficiencies, and control gaps while developing practical solutions that improve business performance

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and ownership throughout the accounting organization

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required

• CPA required or strongly preferred

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience

• Previous Controller, Assistant Controller, or equivalent accounting leadership experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience within a private equity-backed organization required

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing accounting teams

• Strong technical accounting expertise and comprehensive knowledge of GAAP

• Experience with multi-entity accounting, consolidations, and financial reporting

• Experience supporting acquisitions, purchase accounting, and post-acquisition integrations

• Experience managing audits, internal controls, and compliance activities

• ERP system experience required

• Proven ability to operate successfully in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Public accounting experience highly preferred

• Big Four or national public accounting firm experience preferred

• Experience supporting organizations through rapid growth, transformation, and acquisition activity

• Demonstrated success improving accounting processes, controls, and reporting infrastructure

• Experience building and developing high-performing accounting teams

Success Profile

The successful candidate is a proactive, hands-on accounting leader who combines technical excellence with a strong operational mindset. They are comfortable leading through change, establishing best practices, and creating scalable processes that support organizational growth.

This individual thrives in a private equity environment, embraces accountability, operates with urgency, and consistently seeks opportunities to improve both financial performance and operational effectiveness. They are a collaborative leader who builds trust, develops strong teams, and serves as a strategic partner to the CFO while maintaining ownership of the accounting function.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary, performance-based bonus opportunity, and comprehensive benefits package.