Controller

Executive Talent Partners; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Vision Partners seeks a hands-on Controller to own the financial foundation of a growing, multi-site healthcare platform. You will report to the CFO, lead a four-person accounting team, and ensure accurate, trusted numbers while shaping strategy through acquisitions.

You’ll manage month-end close, financial reporting, audits, and internal controls, partnering with executive leadership on budgets, forecasts, cash flow and strategic initiatives to scale the business responsibly.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including time in a senior finance leadership role.
• Experience in a multi-site organization, consolidating results across locations or entities.
• Strong command of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and tax compliance.
• Hands-on budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• ERP systems experience (SAP, Oracle/NetSuite) is a huge plus.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting and reporting across multiple sites.
• Oversee month-end close and external audit coordination.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and compliance.
• Support strategic planning, budgeting, and financial forecasting.
• Assist in M&A due diligence and integration.

Skills

GAAP expertise

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Tax compliance

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle/NetSuite

Job description

Hybrid/Remote · Chicago or Orlando area · Reports to the CFO · Leads a small team

About Ascend Vision Partners

Ascend Vision Partners is building something different in eye care: an integrated platform that brings optometrists and ophthalmologists together around one goal, which is exceptional, personalized patient care. We're growing, and we want to become one of the most admired companies in healthcare. Our people make that possible by acting with integrity, supporting our clinicians, and helping more patients get the primary and specialty eye care they need.

The Opportunity

As our Controller, you'll own the financial foundation of a growing, multi-site healthcare organization. You'll report directly to the CFO and lead a team of four accounting professionals. Your job is to make sure our numbers are accurate and trusted, and to work with senior leadership to shape where we go next. It's a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys both the rigor of a clean close and the strategy of helping a business scale, including through acquisitions.

This is a hybrid/remote role based in either the Chicago or Orlando area.

What You'll Do

Lead accounting and reporting

• Run month-end and year-end close so it's accurate and on time
• Prepare and analyze financial statements and reports for leadership, shareholders, and regulators
• Lead the annual audit and serve as the main contact for our external auditors

Strengthen controls and compliance

• Build and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls that keep reporting reliable
• Keep us compliant with federal, state, and local financial and tax requirements
• Identify financial risks and put practical plans in place to manage them

Partner on strategy and growth

• Work with the CFO and executive team on financial strategy, business plans, budgets, and forecasts
• Turn financial data into clear insights that guide decisions
• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital
• Support M&A activity through due diligence and financial analysis

Build a great team and better systems

• Lead, develop, and grow a team of four accounting professionals
• Improve our financial systems and processes so they keep pace with our growth

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA or MBA preferred)
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including time in a senior finance leadership role
• Experience in a multi-site organization, consolidating results across multiple locations or entities
• Strong command of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and tax compliance
• Hands-on experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Advanced Excel skills and ERP experience (SAP, Oracle (NetSuite), or similar is a huge plus)
• A leader people want to work for: clear, collaborative, and good at developing talent
• Sharp analytical judgment, high integrity, and close attention to detail
• Comfortable with deadlines and the pace of a growing organization
• Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance partners

Nice to Have

• Healthcare experience, ideally with a provider organization such as a physician group, specialty practice, or ASC
• Experience in a high-growth, acquisition-driven environment, such as a private equity-backed platform or roll-up