Controller

Marcus & Associates Executive Recruiters; Greenwich (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Marcus & Associates Executive Recruiters seeks a Group Controller to lead all accounting and financial reporting for a portfolio of agencies. Reporting to the CFO, you will ensure timely close, strong internal controls, and compliance with lender and PE requirements.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical accounting with hands-on leadership in PE-backed professional services firms, overseeing multiple entities and driving reporting accuracy across locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA preferred or required.
• 12+ years progressive accounting experience with leadership exposure.
• Experience in advertising, marketing, communications, media, or consulting agencies is highly desirable.
• Private equity-backed environments preferred.
• Experience with multi-entity consolidation and board/investor reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Prepare consolidated financial statements for multiple legal entities.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP and internal controls.
• Review agency-level financial results and analytical reporting.
• Drive process improvements to close timelines and reporting accuracy.
• Prepare board, executive leadership, and investor reporting packages.
• Coordinate covenant calculations and lender reporting for PE/lenders.
• Assist CFO with management analysis and presentations.
• Participate in due diligence and purchase accounting for acquisitions.
• Standardize processes across acquired entities.
• Oversee general ledger, payables, receivables, revenue recognition, payroll, fixed assets, intercompany, and cash management.
• Manage external auditors and annual audit process.
• Develop high-performing accounting teams across locations.

Skills

US GAAP

Advanced Excel

ERP implementation

Revenue recognition

Financial reporting

Leadership

Acquisition integration

Internal controls

Audit coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA

Job description

The Controller is responsible for leading all accounting and financial reporting activities across a portfolio of advertising, marketing, communications, media, and consulting agencies. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Group Controller ensures timely and accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, acquisition integration, cash‑flow management, and compliance with lender and private equity investor requirements.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical accounting expertise with a hands‑on operating mindset and experience in private‑equity‑backed professional services organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Prepare consolidated financial statements for multiple legal entities.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP.
• Review agency‑level financial results and analytical reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement in close timelines and reporting accuracy.
• Prepare board, executive leadership, and investor reporting packages.

Private Equity & Lender Reporting

• Serve as the central accounting contact for private equity sponsors.
• Prepare covenant calculations and lender compliance reporting.
• Produce monthly KPI reporting packages for PE owners.
• Assist CFO with management presentations and financial analyses.

Acquisition & Integration Support

• Participate in accounting due diligence support for acquisitions.
• Coordinate purchase accounting and opening balance sheet activities.
• Integrate acquired agencies into accounting and reporting systems.
• Manage earnout calculations and acquisition‑related accounting.
• Standardize financial processes across acquired entities.

Accounting Operations

Oversee:

• General ledger
• Accounts payable
• Accounts receivable
• Billing and revenue recognition
• Payroll accounting
• Fixed assets
• Intercompany accounting
• Cash management

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls.
• Manage annual audit process and external auditors.
• Coordinate tax compliance with outside advisors.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, lender requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Lead implementation of accounting process improvements.
• Ensure accounting policies are consistently applied throughout the organization.
• Manage accounting staff.
• Develop high‑performing accounting teams across multiple locations.
• Establish performance metrics and development plans.
• Create scalable accounting infrastructure to support growth.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA required or strongly preferred.

Experience

• 12+ years progressive accounting experience.
• 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience within:
• Advertising agencies
• Marketing services firms
• Medical communications agencies
• Professional services organizations
• Consulting organizations
• Law firms
• Board and investor reporting.
• Earnout accounting.

Technical Skills

• Strong US GAAP knowledge.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• ERP implementation or optimization experience.
• Revenue recognition expertise for professional services organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public accounting background (Big Four or national firm).
• Private equity portfolio company experience or desire to acquire these skills
• Experience supporting acquired companies.
• Experience in organizations with revenue between $100M and $1B.
• Familiarity with agency holding company structures.
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams.