Controller

LSL CPAs LLP; California (MO); Remote; USD 100,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) plan

Bonuses based on performance

Referral bonuses

Flexible scheduling options

Paid time off

Job summary

LSL CPAs LLP is seeking a Controller to lead the firm’s accounting and finance functions from a primarily remote location in the United States. You will partner with firm leadership to drive budgeting, forecasting, and financial strategy for growth and operational excellence.

The role requires CPA and 8+ years of accounting/finance experience, including leadership. You will oversee payroll, cash flow, reporting, and compliance while supporting mergers and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• CPA certification is required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience is required.
• 3+ years of accounting or finance leadership experience is required.
• Public accounting or professional services experience is preferred.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting experience is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.
• Experience with practice management systems and financial forecasting software is preferred.
• Experience overseeing accounting operations, payroll, cash management, and internal controls is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts.
• Produce monthly financial statements and management reporting for Partners and leadership.
• Monitor KPIs: realization, utilization, leverage, turnover costs, revenue per FTE.
• Perform variance analysis and communicate findings to leadership.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and expansion initiatives with financial analysis.
• Oversee payroll, accounts receivable, WIP, and cash flow forecasting.
• Manage partner compensation modeling and reporting.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and compliance across multiple states.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership potential

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Financial forecasting software

Job description

Work with people who share your same Core Values - these are LSL's:

LSL CPAs is proud to provide remarkable service to our clients and has secured the ClearlyRated Best of Accounting award annually since 2020! This exclusive program awards accounting firms who demonstrate high-level service of excellence within the accounting industry. This designation is based solely on statistically validated survey responses from our clients. A big ‘thank you’ to our clients for providing their feedback which earned us this award: we wouldn’t be here without you!

Accounting Today: Regional Leader

LSL has been recognized for the fourth year in a row as an Accounting Today Regional Leader for 20256! The list ranks the top CPA firms that have shown exceptional growth, embrace innovation & technology, and ‘think outside the box’ when looking for solutions to bring our clients. Kudos to the LSL team and our wonderful clients for making this continued recognition possible!

What’s in it for you?

The right job for you has to check off most of the boxes on your ‘must have’ list. Here’s how we stack up:

• Competitive compensation
• 401(k) savings plan
• Bonuses based on performance, as applicable
• Cash bonuses when you refer new team members and clients!
• Flexible scheduling options: There’s more to your life than just work: attending a child’s school activity. Voting. Volunteering. At LSL CPAs, life is a benefit everyone should enjoy.
• Paid time off for holiday/sick/vacation
• CPA Bonus Program
• Fun firm activities – virtually & in-person
• State of the Firm – LSL keeps everyone informed on our strategic plan, our successes and our goals, helping each team member envision a future with us
• Primarily remote opportunities

Social Gatherings

Working at LSL offers you the chance to showcase your talents beyond your analytical mind and number-crunching. We love having a blast together and adding a touch of friendly competition! Imagine sizzling chili cook-offs, teeing off on golf days, and a whole lot more. We frequently connect virtually, firm-wide or by department, through exciting games that’ll keep your competitive spirit alive and kicking.

Bring your ideas into the mix when you join LSL.

Doing What Counts

"Doing What Counts" is our program focused on helping local charities with what they need most. We believe having fun while doing good is what makes our philanthropic efforts meaningful to all. Every year, our firm participates in a handful of firm-wide philanthropic events.

Together We Rise is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that LSL loves to work with. Comprised of motivated young adults and former foster youth, they collaborate with individuals, companies, and community partners to bring resources to foster youth and use service-learning activities to educate volunteers on issues surrounding the foster care system. This year the LSL team had the opportunity to build (really cool!) skateboards to donate to kids currently living in the foster care system. We hope the kids have as much fun riding as we did making them!

Career Progression: You make it your own

The path up the ladder isn’t the same for everyone. You may skip a level or two based on your performance, aptitude and passion. It’s up to you on where you want to go and how quickly you wish to get there.

DOV Award: Recognizing our values in action

LSL regularly presents a DOV Award (Demonstrating our Values) to those team members who have been nominated by a teammate for exemplifying one or more of our core values.

You are Supported

Our Partners want you to achieve your most here and are available to you every step of the way, providing tools and support that will progress your career forward. You are encouraged and given the freedom to pursue what you want to do and who you want to be.

We work in an environment where everyone’s voice is heard.

Starting your career

You recently graduated (or about to) with a degree in Accounting.

Get the start to the career you want right out of the gate.

Seasoned Professionals looking for a change

You’ve been in the industry for a while and a looking for a change – a place where you can continue building your career and make a difference.

Open Positions

Position:Controller

Location: Remote

Job Id:189

# of Openings:1

Join our Team!

We work in an environment where everyone’s voice is heard

We are one of the largest regional accounting firms headquartered in Orange County, California. We’re accountants providing solid guidance, support & solutions to businesses, governments, and non-profits. Our outstanding employees are crucial to our unique, diverse culture and talent development, as well as our ability to attract clients successfully. At LSL, you will discover an atmosphere that motivates and encourages you to succeed personally and professionally.

Controller
The Controller serves as the firm’s senior accounting leader and is responsible for the integrity of the firm’s financial operations, reporting, forecasting, budgeting, cash management, internal controls, and financial strategy. This role partners closely with firm leadership, department leaders, and operational teams to provide actionable financial insights that support profitable growth, operational excellence, and the firm’s long-term strategic objectives. The Controller also leads the firm’s accounting and finance function and plays a key role in financial planning, partner compensation, cash management, and business expansion initiatives.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the firm’s annual budgeting process.
• Develop and maintain rolling financial forecasts.
• Produce monthly financial statements and management reporting packages for distribution to Partners and firm leadership.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators, including realization, utilization, leverage, turnover costs, and revenue per FTE.
• Perform variance analysis across actual results, budgets, forecasts, and prior periods, and communicate key findings to leadership.
• Collaborate with firm and department leadership to interpret financial results, identify trends, and recommend appropriate actions.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and other business expansion initiatives through financial analysis, modeling, and integration planning.
• Partner with People Operations and operational leaders on compensation planning, headcount forecasting, and expense management.

Financial Operations

• Provide oversight of accounts receivable and work-in-process (WIP).
• Oversee and direct the firm’s payroll function in collaboration with People Operations.
• Drive billing and collections activities and related financial processes.
• Develop and maintain cash flow forecasts.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close activities, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Maintain the firm’s treasury function, including banking relationships, cash management, borrowing facilities, and liquidity planning.
• Provide financial guidance on operational initiatives and department projects across the firm.

Partner Compensation Management

• Support partner compensation modeling and analysis.
• Administer partner capital accounts, distributions, buy-ins, buy-outs, and related financial reporting.
• Prepare financial reporting packages for Partners and firm leadership.
• Analyze profitability by service line, department, and Partner.
• Assist the Executive Committee with strategic financial analysis and decision-making.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective internal accounting controls, policies, and processes.
• Ensure compliance with firm policies, regulatory requirements, and applicable multi-state considerations, including payroll allocations and expense treatment.
• Oversee the firm’s annual audit and tax return processes in coordination with external service providers.
• Maintain appropriate financial documentation and reporting standards.
• Process Improvement & Systems
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting, financial reporting, and related operational processes.
• Partner with internal stakeholders on financial system enhancements, automation, and reporting improvements.
• Support the implementation, optimization, and ongoing use of financial systems and tools.
• Develop processes and reporting capabilities that improve financial visibility and support data-driven decision-making.
• Special Projects
• Lead or participate in special projects, including financial modeling, profitability analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and operational initiatives.
• Provide financial analysis and support for strategic initiatives as requested by firm leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, lead, and provide oversight of the firm’s accounting and finance team, including payroll.
• Establish priorities, processes, and accountability within the accounting and finance function.
• Build strong working relationships with Partners, firm leadership, department leaders, and People Operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, required.
• CPA certification, required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, required.
• 3+ years of accounting or finance leadership experience, required.
• Public accounting or professional services industry experience, preferred.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting experience, required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams), required.
• Experience with practice management systems and financial forecasting software, preferred.
• Experience overseeing accounting operations, payroll, cash management, and internal controls, preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong financial, analytical, and business acumen.
• Ability to communicate complex financial and technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Critical and analytical approach to problem solving.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Understands and supports the vision of LSL.
• Professional behavior and appearance.

At LSL CPAs, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package along with a supportive, team-focused environment. Our remote work environment allows you the freedom to manage your personal commitments while staying dedicated to serving our clients.

Work Authorization:
Must be authorized to work in the United States permanently without the requirement of sponsorship at any point in the future.
Salary Range: $100.000 - $141,000
Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that LSL, LLP provides to compensate and recognize our professionals for their work. All exempt positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus, and all employees who are regularly scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are offered a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Environment
Typical indoor office environment.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.

1-2 rounds of interviews with the Hiring Team

Step 4

A decision will be made to join the team shortly after.

*Please respect our recruiting process by not contacting our Partners or Managers.