Controller

Synergy Search; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Synergy Search is confidentially seeking an SVP, Controller for a major financial institution in Texas. Reporting to the CFO, you will own financial reporting, controls, and the accounting organization shaping the function for years to come.

This leader will design teams, modernize processes, and bring external best practices. The role includes executive exposure, board interaction, and substantial incentives, with relocation support for out-of-market candidates.

Qualifications

• Big Four or equivalent public accounting foundation.
• 15+ years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Experience leading leaders across multiple teams.
• Multi-entity consolidation experience with public company style reporting and SOX.
• Track record of modernizing processes and leading change.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large accounting department with leaders across accounting operations and reporting.
• Ensure timely external, regulatory, and Board-level financial reporting.
• Execute fast, disciplined month-end and year-end closes for multi-entity structure.
• Set accounting policy; own significant estimates and judgments (e.g., credit loss reserves).
• Oversee loan, debt, investment, and capital markets accounting.
• Maintain a strong SOX environment and manage the integrated audit relationship.
• Guide budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning with the CFO.
• Drive systems, data, and automation to scale the function.
• Develop leaders, plan succession, and build bench strength.

Skills

Big Four background

Leadership of leaders

SOX/compliance

Multi-entity consolidation

Finance transformation

Education

Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business

Job description

Compensation: $225K to $275K base plus short term and long term incentives

The Opportunity

I am conducting a confidential search for an SVP, Controller on behalf of a large, well established financial institution that is in the middle of a company wide transformation. Reporting to the CFO, you will be the senior accounting executive, owning financial reporting, the control environment, and the shape of the accounting organization for years to come.

If you are a leader who wants to design the team, modernize how the work gets done, and have a real voice at the executive table, this is the seat.

Why This Role Stands Out

• A top executive priority. Leadership views this as a can't miss hire and will give the right person real backing.
• Build your organization. You will assess talent and bench depth and design the structure that carries the function forward.
• Fresh perspective wanted. Leadership is open to change and wants outside best practices brought in.
• Automation and AI on the agenda. You will help lead the accounting transformation and decide where technology changes the work.
• Enterprise visibility. This is not a siloed accounting seat. You will partner across the business and present to the Board and its committees.
• Strong total rewards. Annual incentive, an executive long term incentive plan, change in control protection, and a relocation package for out of market candidates.

What You Will Own

• Lead a large accounting department through a team of people leaders across accounting operations and financial reporting
• Own the integrity and timeliness of external, regulatory, and Board level financial reporting
• Run a fast, disciplined month end and year end close across a multi entity structure
• Set accounting policy and own significant estimates and judgments, including credit loss reserves
• Oversee loan, debt, investment, and capital markets accounting
• Maintain a strong SOX control environment and manage the integrated audit relationship
• Guide budgeting, forecasting, and longer range financial planning alongside the CFO
• Drive systems, data, and automation initiatives that make the function faster and more scalable
• Develop leaders, plan succession, and build bench strength across the team

What You Need

• Big Four or comparable public accounting foundation
• 15+ years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience
• Experience leading leaders: you design the structure, set direction, and delegate across multiple teams
• Multi entity consolidation experience, ideally with public company style reporting, SOX, and an integrated audit
• A track record of modernizing processes and comfort leading change

What Sets You Apart

• Bank or financial institution experience, at any size institution, including CECL and non accrual accounting
• Loan participation, syndication, debt, or capital markets accounting is a plus
• Hands on interest in accounting automation and AI
• Systems implementation or finance transformation leadership
• Ready for a first SVP seat? Hungry leaders stepping up are welcome
• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business