Controller

United Staffing Associates; California; On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

United Staffing Associates seeks an experienced Controller to lead corporate accounting operations in California. The role oversees financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, and audits across grants, programs, and projects.

The Controller will supervise staff, partner with the CFO, manage cash flow, and ensure responsible financial management across entities, programs, and funded activities. Strong GAAP knowledge and multi-entity experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related discipline.
• 10 years of accounting and finance experience and 5 years in accounting management.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and cash management.
• Experience with grant-funded, cost, or multi-entity accounting.
• Ability to analyze financial information, identify trends, and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to collaborate with accounting staff, operational leaders, executive management, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting team with clear priorities, accountability, and consistent practices.
• Oversee preparation of timely, accurate financial statements across multiple entities, programs, and projects.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Direct treasury activities: cash positioning, funding, banking, approvals, and responsible fund management.
• Lead annual budgeting and provide variance reports for operations, properties, projects, and funded programs.
• Review payroll reporting and related tax document preparation annually.
• Strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, and procedures with senior finance leadership.
• Monitor cash flow and prepare recurring forecasts for funding.
• Oversee indirect cost allocations and prepare indirect cost proposals.
• Maintain compliance with accounting standards and funding requirements.
• Coordinate annual financial audits and liaise with external auditors.
• Oversee tax, regulatory, and corporate filings and schedule-related payments.
• Evaluate accounting systems/workflows and recommend improvements.
• Support annual insurance renewals and other financial/administrative initiatives.
• Prepare financial information for executives and participate in board and finance committee meetings.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Cash management

Financial analysis

Communication of findings

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field

Job description

United Staffing Associates has been engaged by a client in California's Central Coast to identify an experienced Controller who will lead corporate accounting operations, ensure accurate financial reporting, strengthen internal controls, and support responsible financial management across grants, programs, development projects, and related entities.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an accomplished accounting professional who combines strong technical expertise with business and financial acumen. The Controller will supervise accounting staff, guide budgeting and audit processes, manage cash flow and reporting, and partner closely with the CFO and senior finance leadership to ensure resources are managed responsibly and strategically.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and support the accounting team, establishing clear priorities, accountability, and consistent departmental practices.
• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate financial statements across multiple entities, programs, and projects.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts, ensuring financial activity is recorded and classified appropriately.
• Direct treasury activities, including cash positioning, account funding, banking transactions, payment approvals, and the responsible management of organizational funds.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and provide meaningful variance reporting for organizational operations, properties, projects, and funded programs.
• Review payroll reporting and related calculations while overseeing the accurate preparation of annual employee and vendor tax documents.
• Strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, and operating procedures in partnership with senior finance leadership.
• Monitor cash flow and prepare recurring financial forecasts to ensure sufficient funding is available throughout the organization.
• Oversee cost-allocation practices, evaluate indirect expenses, and support the preparation of indirect cost proposals.
• Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards and federal, state, and local funding requirements.
• Coordinate annual financial audits, serving as a primary liaison to external auditors and organizing requested documentation.
• Oversee required tax, regulatory, and corporate filings, ensuring submissions and related payments are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Evaluate accounting systems and workflows, recommending technology or process improvements that increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Support annual insurance renewals and other organization-wide financial or administrative initiatives.
• Prepare financial information for executive leadership and participate in board, finance committee, and other organizational meetings as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related discipline.
• 10 years of accounting and finance, and 5 years of accounting management experience
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and cash management.
• Experience with grant-funded, cost, or multi-entity accounting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial information, identify meaningful trends, and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with accounting staff, operational leaders, executive management, and external partners.

SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION

• Full-time position, On-Site
• Annual compensation range of $135,000-$150,000 depending on experience