Controller

Vaco by Highspring; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring seeks an organized Controller to oversee accounting operations across a diverse portfolio, including operating companies, real estate, trusts and personal family finances. This leadership role manages a small accounting team and serves as the primary financial liaison to ownership and external advisors.

The ideal candidate has multi-entity accounting expertise, process improvement experience, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• 5+ years of accounting leadership or management experience.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-entity accounting environments.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and automation initiatives.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• High degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3-4 accounting professionals.
• Oversee accounting operations for 25+ legal entities, trusts, and operating businesses using QuickBooks Enterprise.
• Strengthen internal controls, workflows, and accounting procedures across the organization.
• Drive timely and accurate month-end close processes and financial reporting, including accelerating the monthly close process to consistently close within 10 business days.
• Prepare financial schedules and reporting packages for ownership and external advisors.
• Maintain professional and confidential communication with ownership and key stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-entity

Process improvement

Confidentiality

Team management

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

QuickBooks Enterprise

Job description

A well-established private family office and investment organization is seeking an organized, experienced Controller to oversee accounting operations across a diverse portfolio of operating companies, real estate holdings, trusts, and personal family finances. This leadership role will manage a small accounting team while serving as the primary financial liaison to ownership, tax advisors, and external service providers. The ideal candidate will bring strong multi-entity accounting expertise, process improvement experience, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3-4 accounting professionals.
• Oversee accounting operations for 25+ legal entities, trusts, and operating businesses using Quickbooks Enterprise.
• Strengthen internal controls, workflows, and accounting procedures across the organization.
• Drive timely and accurate month-end close processes and financial reporting, including accelerating the monthly close process to consistently close within 10 business days.
• Prepare financial schedules and reporting packages for ownership and external advisors.
• Maintain professional and confidential communication with ownership and key stakeholders.

Multi-Entity Business Accounting

• Convenience Store: Manage comprehensive inventory tracking, including fuel and regulated products, and prepare sales tax filings.
• Winery: Manage cost accounting, bulk wine inventory coordination, TTB filings, and sales and excise tax reporting.
• Restaurant & Hotel: Oversee tip reporting, payroll coordination, and monthly cash and petty cash reconciliations.
• Real Estate & Construction: Manage CIP accounting, job costing, CAM reconciliations, and provide support for legal and CPA reviews.
• Insurance Administration: Manage employee health plans, property and liability insurance, and life insurance administration.

Trust, Investment & Family Office Accounting

• Oversee accounting and reporting for multiple trust entities.
• Track loans, reimbursements, credit card activity, and intercompany transactions.
• Record and reconcile investment activity, including brokerage and alternative investments.
• Manage personal financial accounting and bill-pay activities for ownership.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping across all family office and investment-related activities.

Systems & Tools

• Excel
• Wine production software: Vintrace
• Event management software: Perfect Venue

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• 5+ years of accounting leadership or management experience.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-entity accounting environments.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and automation initiatives.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• High degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Preferred

• Experience within family office, private investment, real estate, construction, hospitality, retail, or related industries.
• CPA designation preferred but not required.
• Experience supporting ownership groups, investors, or high-net-worth individuals.
• Advanced accounting systems and financial reporting expertise.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently delivering accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Maintaining strong internal controls and clean financial records across multiple entities.
• Building a high-performing accounting team.
• Providing meaningful financial insights to ownership and advisors.
• Driving operational improvements that enhance efficiency, scalability, and business performance.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Benefits

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.