Controller

Socket.dev; Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401k

Benefits

Job summary

Lakeshore Landscaping seeks a hands-on Controller to own the full accounting function as the company scales post-embedded finance model. You will report to senior leadership, manage day-to-day accounting, and serve as the primary liaison for acquisitions and post-close settlements.

This high-visibility role requires closing books, building robust internal controls, and partnering with the seller's accountants during negotiations. Experience with ASC 805 and private-company GAAP is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 5+ years progressive accounting experience, with at least 2 years at the Controller or Senior Accounting Manager level.
• Hands-on experience with acquisition accounting under ASC 805, including opening balance sheet preparation and reconciliation.
• Experience with post-closing purchase price adjustment or working capital determination processes, including seller-facing settlement communications.
• Deep familiarity with GAAP financial reporting for privately held operating companies.
• Strong command of accounting for common M&A deal structures, including asset purchases, stock purchases, and earn-out arrangements.
• Experience managing or coordinating an annual financial statement audit.
• High proficiency in Excel, including financial modeling, reconciliation workbooks, and data analysis across large transaction populations.

Responsibilities

• Own the full monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, producing timely and accurate GAAP financial statements.
• Maintain a controlled, audit-ready accounting environment at all times.
• Prepare and review account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules.
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax preparers, managing the annual audit and tax compliance process.
• Develop and maintain a consistent close calendar with clearly defined milestones and deliverables.
• Lead the accounting integration of acquired businesses, including Day 1 opening balance sheet setup under ASC 805.
• Reconcile and validate opening balance sheets against purchase agreement representations, identifying discrepancies requiring adjustment.
• Interface directly with sellers and their representatives in post-closing settlement discussions, providing clear, well-supported positions backed by documentation from the accounting records.
• Identify and assess the accounting implications of purchase agreement mechanics, including NWC targets, earn-out provisions, indemnification escrows, and seller note structures.
• Coordinate with legal counsel and deal team on formal delivery of post-close determinations and dispute resolution procedures.
• Design, document, and enforce a robust internal controls framework appropriate for a multi-entity operating company.
• Establish and maintain accounting policies and procedures, ensuring consistent application across acquired entities during integration.
• Oversee revenue recognition, AR/AP management, payroll accounting, and cash management practices.
• Manage sales tax compliance and any applicable business licensing obligations across operating geographies.
• Serve as the primary administrator and power user for the company's ERP platform (Aspire), ensuring proper configuration, data integrity, and chart of accounts alignment.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities within the accounting tech stack.
• Support integration of acquired companies' accounting systems and data migration into the platform standard.
• Support the build-out of an accounting team and partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Financial analysis

Communication skills

GAAP accounting

M&A accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA certification

Tools

Aspire ERP

QuickBooks

Job description

Lakeshore Landscaping is a PE-backed, landscape maintenance platform serving residential and commercial customers across the greater Minneapolis metro area. Backed by Talus Group Holdings, the company is positioned for growth through M&A-driven expansion. The business operates with the discipline and reporting standards of a professionally managed portfolio company, and the Controller will play a central role in sustaining that standard as the platform scales.

Lakeshore Landscaping is seeking a hands‑on Controller to own the full accounting function as the company transitions off an embedded finance model. This is a high‑visibility role with meaningful ownership: you will report directly to senior leadership, manage day‑to‑day accounting operations, and serve as the primary accounting liaison for ongoing and future acquisitions. The right candidate is equally comfortable closing the books, building controls, and sitting across the table from a seller's accountant to work through a post‑closing working capital settlement.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Close & Reporting

• Own the full monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, producing timely and accurate GAAP financial statements
• Maintain a controlled, audit‑ready accounting environment at all times
• Prepare and review account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax preparers, managing the annual audit and tax compliance process
• Develop and maintain a consistent close calendar with clearly defined milestones and deliverables

Acquisition Accounting & Post-Close Settlements

• Lead the accounting integration of acquired businesses, including Day 1 opening balance sheet setup under ASC 805
• Reconcile and validate opening balance sheets against purchase agreement representations, identifying discrepancies requiring adjustment
• Prepare and manage the working capital determination process, including construction of the formal determination workbook, variance analysis, and documentation of adjustments
• Interface directly with sellers and their representatives in post‑closing settlement discussions, providing clear, well‑supported positions backed by documentation from the accounting records
• Identify and assess the accounting implications of purchase agreement mechanics, including NWC targets, earn‑out provisions, indemnification escrows, and seller note structures
• Coordinate with legal counsel and deal team on formal delivery of post‑close determinations and dispute resolution procedures

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Design, document, and enforce a robust internal controls framework appropriate for a multi‑entity operating company
• Establish and maintain accounting policies and procedures, ensuring consistent application across acquired entities during integration
• Oversee revenue recognition, AR/AP management, payroll accounting, and cash management practices
• Manage sales tax compliance and any applicable business licensing obligations across operating geographies

Systems & Technology

• Serve as the primary administrator and power user for the company's ERP platform (Aspire), ensuring proper configuration, data integrity, and chart of accounts alignment
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities within the accounting tech stack
• Support integration of acquired companies' accounting systems and data migration into the platform standard

Team & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Support the build‑out of an accounting team as the platform scales, including hiring, onboarding, and developing staff
• Partner closely with the Operating Partner, field operations leadership, and the Talus finance team on budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and decision support to leadership as needed

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2 years at the Controller or Senior Accounting Manager level
• Hands‑on experience with acquisition accounting under ASC 805, including opening balance sheet preparation and reconciliation
• Demonstrated experience with post‑closing purchase price adjustment or working capital determination processes, including seller‑facing settlement communications
• Deep familiarity with GAAP financial reporting for privately held operating companies
• Strong command of accounting for common M&A deal structures, including asset purchases, stock purchases, and earn‑out arrangements
• Experience managing or coordinating an annual financial statement audit
• High proficiency in Excel, including financial modeling, reconciliation workbooks, and data analysis across large transaction populations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical accounting positions clearly to non‑accountants and to counterparties in a negotiation context

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA license (active or inactive)
• Experience in field services, landscaping, facilities management, or a similar operationally intensive industry
• Familiarity with Aspire, QuickBooks, or similar SMB ERP platforms
• Prior experience in a PE‑backed or multi‑entity platform company environment
• Public accounting background (Big 4 or regional firm), particularly with private company audit clients

The salary range for this role is $130,000 to $170,000 with PTO, benefits, and 401k.