Controller

CBIZ Talent Solutions; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CBIZ Talent Solutions seeks a seasoned Controller to lead the accounting function during a growth phase and potential PE exit. You will oversee close, reporting, compliance, audit and tax, driving process improvements and system optimization. A data‑driven leader who can scale finance in a multi‑entity, multi‑state environment is ideal.

Experience in PE contexts is highly desirable. You will partner with the CFO and operating leaders to strengthen finance discipline and support strategic

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and financial controls.
• Experience leading monthly close, audit, tax, and compliance functions.
• Demonstrated success managing complex accounting operations in multi-entity / multi-state environments.
• Advanced systems aptitude with a track record of process improvement and automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Ensure timely, GAAP‑compliant financial statements.
• Maintain internal controls and accounting policies.
• Partner with CFO for lender, board, and investor reporting.
• Drive analytics and automation to improve visibility and efficiency.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

financial controls

financial reporting

leadership

process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Sage 100

Tableau

Job description

*THIS IS NOT AN INTERNAL CBIZ TALENT SOLUTIONS POSITION*

Company Overview

Our client is a growing, private equity-backed organization seeking a highly capable, hands-on Controller to lead the accounting function and strengthen financial operations during a critical period of growth and value creation. As the company advances toward an anticipated exit process in 2027, this role will be a key leadership position in enhancing financial discipline, reporting accuracy, process scalability, and operational efficiency.

Position Summary

The Controller will serve as the senior accounting leader, reporting directly to the CFO and overseeing all aspects of transactional accounting, financial close, reporting, compliance, audit, and tax activities. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of financial information while driving process improvements, system optimization, and automation initiatives across the organization.

The ideal candidate is a technically strong accounting professional who thrives in a data-intensive environment and embraces technology as a lever for operational excellence. Recent experience within a private equity-backed company is highly desirable, along with exposure to a liquidity event, sale process, recapitalization, or other PE exit-related activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment and accounting policies.
• Partner with the CFO to support lender, board, and investor reporting requirements.
• Develop and enhance exception reporting and financial analytics to improve visibility into business performance.

Audit, Tax & Compliance

• Manage annual external audits and serve as the primary liaison with auditors.
• Oversee federal, state, and local tax compliance requirements.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

Systems, Process Improvement & Automation

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across accounting workflows and reporting processes.
• Leverage technology and automation tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Optimize existing financial systems, including Sage 100 and Tableau.
• Support the continued implementation and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools and workflow automation platforms such as Claude and Decisions.
• Identify opportunities to streamline manual processes and reduce close cycle timelines.

Leadership & Strategic Partnership

• Provide leadership and development to the accounting team.
• Serve as a trusted business partner to the CFO and operating leaders.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic initiatives as needed.
• Assist in preparing the organization for future due diligence and transaction readiness associated with a potential PE exit.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and financial controls.
• Experience leading monthly close, audit, tax, and compliance functions.
• Demonstrated success managing complex accounting operations in a multi-entity and/or multi-state environment.
• Advanced systems aptitude with a track record of process improvement and automation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent experience within a private equity-backed company.
• Exposure to a private equity transaction, exit, recapitalization, or sale process.
• Experience supporting investor reporting and due diligence efforts.
• Proficiency with Sage 100, Tableau, and modern reporting and workflow automation tools.

This opportunity offers the chance to join a growing organization at a pivotal stage, partnering closely with a seasoned CFO and helping position the business for a successful private equity exit.