Assistant Controller

Vaco Recruiter Services; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Career growth opportunity

Job summary

Vaco Staffing in Jacksonville, FL is seeking an experienced Controller or Controller-in-Waiting to grow into the top accounting leadership role. This onsite position requires learning the business from the ground up and overseeing all accounting operations while collaborating with leadership.

The role emphasizes GAAP expertise, multi-entity oversight, and hands-on leadership to drive process improvements and strategic financial management. CPA/MBA preferred; relocation not specified.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience.
• Experience as Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Controller, or similar leadership role.
• Strong understanding of full-cycle accounting (AP, AR, GL) and GAAP.
• Experience with external auditors and multi-entity operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including AP, AR, and GL.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements and analyze variances.
• Coordinate with external auditors during annual audits.
• Lead and mentor the accounting team; support budgeting and forecasting.
• Improve accounting processes, controls, and reporting; manage system projects.

Skills

7+ years accounting leadership

Hands-on Controller experience

GAAP knowledge

ERP systems experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Business Central

Concur

TriumphPay

Power BI

Job description

Controller

Direct Hire | Onsite | Jacksonville, FL

Vaco Staffing is partnering with a growing, family-owned transportation and logistics organization in Jacksonville, FL, to identify an experienced Controller / Controller-in-Waiting who can grow into the company’s top accounting leadership role.

This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on accounting leader to join a well-established organization, work alongside the current Controller during a planned transition, and ultimately assume responsibility for the company’s accounting and financial operations.

The ideal candidate is someone who has strong technical accounting experience, has progressed through roles such as Accounting Manager or Assistant Controller, and is ready to take the next step—or an experienced Controller who enjoys being hands-on and working closely with operations and leadership.

This role is fully onsite and requires someone who is willing to learn the business from the ground up. The successful candidate will spend time understanding the company’s customers, freight operations, carriers, purchasing, and day-to-day business before assuming the full scope of the Controller’s responsibilities.

What You'll Do

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Oversee and support day-to-day accounting operations, including AP, AR, GL, reconciliations, and full-cycle accounting
• Review and maintain balance sheet, cash, loan, prepaid, deposit, merchant services, COGS, tax accrual, and other accounting accounts
• Prepare, review, and analyze monthly and annual financial statements
• Ensure financial reporting is accurate, timely, and compliant with GAAP
• Support accounting for multiple entities, locations, and business operations
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial planning
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, and reporting

Audit, Tax & Compliance

• Coordinate with external auditors during annual audits
• Prepare audit schedules, supporting documentation, and financial information
• Support tax reporting and tax-related schedules
• Maintain appropriate internal controls and financial procedures
• Assist with fraud prevention and financial risk management

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and support to the accounting team
• Help oversee accounting functions and team members across AP, AR, payroll, and related areas
• Serve as a resource and backup for members of the accounting department
• Build a service-oriented, accountable, and collaborative accounting culture
• Participate as a member of the company's leadership team and contribute to strategic business decisions

Technology & Process Improvement

• Serve as a key accounting resource for ERP, reporting, and financial technology initiatives
• Help optimize the company's accounting systems and reporting processes
• Partner with IT and other departments on system implementations, integrations, and process improvements
• Learn and become proficient in proprietary systems and technology
• Leverage data and reporting tools to improve visibility and decision‑making

Learn the Business

This position requires more than traditional accounting knowledge. The successful candidate will be expected to roll up their sleeves and learn the company's operation.

During the transition period, you will:

• Learn the company's customers and service model
• Gain an understanding of transportation and freight operations
• Work with carriers and operational teams
• Understand the company's purchasing and payment processes
• Learn how revenue is generated and how costs flow through the business
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the operation before assuming the Controller role

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience
• Experience as an Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Controller, or similar leadership-level accounting role
• Strong understanding of full‑cycle accounting, including AP, AR, and GL
• Experience preparing and analyzing financial statements
• Experience working with external auditors
• Demonstrated leadership and team‑management experience
• Strong understanding of GAAP
• Advanced ERP/accounting systems experience
• Strong technology aptitude and ability to learn new systems quickly
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment
• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or MBA
• Transportation, trucking, logistics, freight, distribution, or supply‑chain experience
• Experience working in a privately held or family‑owned organization
• Experience managing multiple entities or locations
• Payroll experience
• Fixed asset accounting experience
• ERP implementation or software implementation experience
• Experience managing or mentoring a team of accounting professionals
• Experience with Business Central, Concur, TriumphPay, Highway, Paylocity, Synergize, Power BI, or similar systems

The Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for someone who is smart, capable, humble, and hands‑on.

The right person will be comfortable leading a team while also jumping into the details when needed. They should be confident enough to contribute at the executive level but humble enough to learn the business, accept feedback, and build relationships throughout the organization.

This is particularly well suited for an Assistant Controller who is ready to become a Controller or a current Controller who wants to join a growing, established organization and have a meaningful long‑term impact.

Why This Opportunity

• Planned succession opportunity into the Controller position
• Opportunity to work directly with and learn from the current Controller
• Growing transportation and logistics organization
• Exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision‑making
• Opportunity to influence accounting processes, technology, and reporting
• Hands‑on leadership role with significant visibility
• Long‑term career growth opportunity

Employee Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company‑Paid Group Life Insurance
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• 401(k) with company match after 6 months
• 401(k) contributions vested immediately upon first contribution

Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this position is approximately $100,000–$130,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant Controller‑level experience, transportation/logistics expertise, leadership experience, and/or CPA credentials may be considered above this range.

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. 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.

Vaco is an equal opportunity employer.