Controller

Vaco; Durham (NC); Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking a hands-on Controller / Accounting Manager for a growing healthcare services organization. You will own the accounting function across multiple entities, from month-end close and payroll to financial reporting and internal controls.

This role emphasizes ownership and process improvement, with direct interaction with executive leadership and high visibility into business performance. It is designed for a practitioner who stays close to the numbers rather than managing a large team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience owning a full month-end close process.
• Experience preparing financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Experience processing payroll and reconciling payroll accounts.
• Strong general ledger, reconciliation, and financial reporting skills.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• CPA or CPA-track candidate (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close process across multiple entities.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts on a recurring basis.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and operational reporting packages.
• Deliver budget-to-actual analysis and variance explanations.
• Maintain audit-ready accounting records and documentation.
• Support annual audits and external accounting reviews.
• Manage payroll-related accounting activities.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Independent work

General ledger accuracy

Month-end close

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Payroll platforms

Job description

Work Arrangement: Flexible / Primarily Remote

About the Role

A growing multi-location healthcare services organization is seeking a Controller / Accounting Manager to take ownership of its accounting function and serve as the sole internal accounting professional.

This role is ideal for a hands-on accounting leader who enjoys full ownership of the financial process, from month-end close and payroll through financial reporting, provider compensation calculations, cash management, and operational analysis.

The organization operates under a multi-entity structure and requires someone who can independently manage recurring accounting activities while helping improve processes, strengthen controls, and support long-term growth initiatives. The position offers direct interaction with executive leadership and significant visibility into the business.

This is not a role for someone who wants to manage a large accounting team. It is designed for an accountant who enjoys being close to the work, building processes, and taking ownership of outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Own the monthly close process across multiple legal entities
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts on a recurring basis
• Prepare monthly financial statements and operational reporting packages
• Deliver budget-to-actual analysis and variance explanations
• Maintain audit-ready accounting records and documentation
• Support annual audits and external accounting reviews

Payroll, Benefits & Retirement Administration

• Process payroll and payroll-related accounting activities
• Maintain payroll codes, deductions, and related controls
• Reconcile payroll liabilities and benefit deductions
• Support administration of employee retirement and benefit programs
• Coordinate payroll-related compliance and reporting requirements
• Manage annual payroll reporting and tax documents

Operational & Productivity Reporting

• Support compensation calculations based on productivity, production, or contract-driven arrangements
• Review operational performance metrics and related financial data
• Validate source data and maintain compensation schedules
• Assist leadership with financial analysis and business decision support

Accounts Payable, Cash Management & Compliance

• Manage accounts payable workflows, payment approvals, and vendor administration
• Monitor daily cash activity and bank reconciliations
• Support intercompany transactions and cash transfers
• Maintain internal controls and payment review procedures
• Evaluate automation opportunities and process improvements
• Prepare 1099s, sales tax filings, and annual compliance requirements
• Coordinate with outside tax advisors and external firms

Process Improvement & Infrastructure

• Develop and document accounting procedures
• Improve workflows and financial controls
• Support future corporate transactions and due diligence efforts
• Enhance reporting, forecasting, and operational visibility
• Build a finance function capable of supporting future growth

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Experience owning a full month-end close process
• Experience preparing financial statements and supporting schedules
• Experience processing payroll and reconciling payroll accounts
• Strong general ledger, reconciliation, and financial reporting skills
• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability to work independently without a large support structure
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Strongly Preferred

• Professional services, physician group, dental group, veterinary group, behavioral health, physical therapy, or multi-site service business experience
• Multi-entity accounting experience
• Provider, production-based, productivity-based, commission, or contract compensation experience
• Audit readiness or audit support experience
• CPA or CPA-track candidate
• Experience as the sole accounting or finance professional within an organization

Nice to Have

• Experience with payroll administration platforms
• Budget ownership
• Financial modeling and operational analysis
• Experience supporting future acquisition, transaction, or private equity readiness initiatives

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate and timely monthly closes
• Financial statements delivered consistently and on schedule
• Payroll processed accurately and on time
• Clean reconciliations and fully supported balance sheet accounts
• Clear operational reporting for leadership
• Improved accounting procedures and documentation
• Strong financial controls and audit readiness
• Reliable support for future growth initiatives and strategic projects

Role Highlights