Controller

Vaco; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonuses

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring seeks an experienced Controller to lead the accounting and finance function in Hartford, CT. You will oversee financial reporting, close cycles, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and operations, partnering with leadership on strategic decisions.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong technical accounting knowledge, and the ability to drive process improvements while mentoring staff in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Experience in Controller/Assistant Controller roles.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and internal controls.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Proven ability to lead month-end close and audits.
• Proficiency in Excel and ERP/accounting systems.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations including general ledger, AP, AR, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Prepare and review financial statements, reports, and schedules.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Develop and maintain internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee Lease Accounting.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate audits and support external auditors with documentation.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, and key metrics.
• Review reconciliations and journal entries for accuracy.
• Provide financial insights to leadership and support strategic planning.
• Evaluate and improve accounting systems and workflows.
• Supervise and mentor accounting staff.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Budgeting

Forecasting

Internal controls

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Excel

ERP/accounting systems

Job description

Our client, a growing and dynamic organization, is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting and finance function. This role will be responsible for overseeing financial reporting, month-end close, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and general accounting operations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on finance leader with strong technical accounting knowledge, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to partner with leadership to support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and supporting schedules.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis activities.
• Develop and maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.
• Lease Accounting
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate annual audits and support external auditors with requested documentation.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, and key financial metrics.
• Review account reconciliations and journal entries for accuracy and completeness.
• Partner with leadership to provide financial insights and support strategic planning.
• Evaluate and improve accounting systems, processes, and workflows.
• Supervise and mentor accounting staff as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Prior experience in a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Proven ability to lead month-end close and manage audit processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP/accounting systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or MBA preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or other operational environments.
• Multi-entity or consolidated reporting experience.
• Exposure to process improvement, system implementation, or automation initiatives.
• Experience managing a team of accountants or accounting support staff.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certification requirements, office location and other geographic considerations; and other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco/Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).