Controller

Synergy Search; Ellicott City (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly performance bonus

401k with discretionary match

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Monthly medical deductible contributed

Job summary

Synergy Search is assisting a PE-backed services company in Ellicott City, MD, in a newly available Controller role. You will own the full accounting function, lead a two-person staff, and drive a disciplined monthly close across multiple entities.

The position requires strong GAAP knowledge, ERP experience (NetSuite preferred), and the ability to manage sponsor-level reporting and external audits while collaborating with leadership on budgeting and KPI dashboards.

Qualifications

• 7-15+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP.
• Comfortable in a PE-backed, multi-entity environment with sponsor-level reporting.
• Public or private/corporate accounting background both fine, no strict preference.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and hands-on audit management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, reviewing financials for leadership and the PE sponsor.
• Manage and develop two Staff Accountants.
• Strengthen internal controls and close documentation.
• Own the external audit and tax relationship end to end.
• Partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and variance reporting.
• Consolidate financials across entities, including newly acquired businesses.
• Oversee cash management, AP/AR escalations, and banking relationships.
• Prepare board and sponsor-ready reporting packages and KPI dashboards.

Skills

NetSuite ERP

GAAP knowledge

Audit management

Multi-entity reporting

PE-backed environment

Close management

Team leadership

Education

CPA preferred

Tools

NetSuite

ERP systems

Job description

Ellicott City, MD | In Office (flex hours & true 40 hour work environment!)

The Company

Our client is a private equity-backed services company that has grown from roughly $30-40M to nearly $100M in revenue over the past two to three years through an active acquisition strategy, with more deals in the pipeline.

This is a stable, founder-and-PE-backed business with low turnover and a genuinely flexible, family-oriented culture. No weekend work and a true 40 hour work week which is rare for a high-growth organization.

The Role

Newly available Controller seat reporting to the CFO, owning the full accounting function and managing two Staff Accountants.

The company is moving from a flexible, informal close to a tighter, more disciplined monthly close, and this person will lead that transition while also integrating newly acquired businesses onto one chart of accounts and ERP system.

What You'll Own

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, reviewing financials for leadership and the PE sponsor
• Manage and develop two Staff Accountants
• Strengthen internal controls and close documentation
• Own the external audit and tax relationship end to end
• Partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and variance reporting
• Consolidate financials across entities, including newly acquired businesses
• Oversee cash management, AP/AR escalations, and banking relationships
• Prepare board and sponsor-ready reporting packages and KPI dashboards

Profile

• 7-15+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP
• Comfortable in a PE-backed, multi-entity environment with sponsor-level reporting
• Public or private/corporate accounting background both fine, no strict preference
• CPA preferred but not required
• Strong GAAP knowledge and hands-on audit management experience

Compensation

• $140K to $165K base
• Quarterly performance bonus
• 401k with discretionary match
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Monthly medical deductible contribution

In office, with day-to-day flexibility once ramped up.

This is a full ownership seat at a company in genuine growth mode, with a clear mandate and real influence with the sponsor. If someone wants to build process, not just maintain it, this is the seat.