Controller

Elevate Recruiting; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevate Recruiting is seeking an experienced Controller to join its finance leadership team in Los Angeles. You will oversee fund accounting, management company accounting, investor reporting, and financial statements, while partnering with CFO and executive leadership to drive efficiency and growth.

The role emphasizes internal controls, process improvements, and scaling accounting infrastructure in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial PE environment. CPA preferred; Big 4 background is a plus.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• CPA strongly preferred; MBA, CFA, or Master's degree is a plus.
• Public accounting foundation (Big 4 or national firm preferred).
• Prior experience within private equity, alternative investments, investment management, or another investment fund environment required.
• Strong understanding of private equity fund accounting, investor reporting, partnership accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience managing audits, implementing process improvements, and leading accounting operations.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial reporting systems.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead all fund accounting, management company accounting, investor reporting, and financial reporting activities.
• Oversee quarterly and annual financial statements, capital activity, fund valuations, and performance reporting.
• Manage management fees, expense allocations, returns reporting, and other fund performance metrics.
• Coordinate with third-party fund administrators and external auditors to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Prepare investor reporting packages and financial presentations for leadership.
• Oversee the firm's accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and month-end close.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Partner with executive leadership to improve accounting infrastructure, streamline processes, and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Support carried interest, waterfall calculations, and other partnership-related financial activities.
• Serve as the primary contact for annual audits and coordinate with external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and tax reporting obligations.
• Assist with implementing new accounting guidance and supporting firm-wide compliance initiatives.
• Partner with external tax advisors on fund and management company tax matters.
• Evaluate and implement financial systems, reporting tools, and automation initiatives.
• Develop scalable accounting processes to support continued organizational growth.
• Maintain best-in-class accounting policies, documentation, and reporting procedures
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with senior leadership, investors, external advisors, auditors, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide financial analysis and strategic insights to support executive decision-making.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Fund accounting

Investor reporting

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Process improvement

Financial analysis

Strategic insights

Team leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

CPA preferred

MBA/CFA/Masters recommended

Tools

Excel

Job description

An established and growing private equity investment firm is seeking a Controller to join its finance leadership team. This is a highly visible role reporting directly to the CFO, responsible for overseeing fund accounting, management company accounting, financial reporting, investor reporting, and accounting operations.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced accounting leader with a strong background in private equity fund accounting who enjoys working in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment and partnering closely with executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all fund accounting, management company accounting, investor reporting, and financial reporting activities.
• Oversee quarterly and annual financial statements, capital activity, fund valuations, and performance reporting.
• Manage management fees, expense allocations, returns reporting, and other fund performance metrics.
• Coordinate with third-party fund administrators and external auditors to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Prepare investor reporting packages and financial presentations for leadership.
• Oversee the firm's accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and month-end close.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Partner with executive leadership to improve accounting infrastructure, streamline processes, and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Support carried interest, waterfall calculations, and other partnership-related financial activities.
• Serve as the primary contact for annual audits and coordinate with external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and tax reporting obligations.
• Assist with implementing new accounting guidance and supporting firm-wide compliance initiatives.
• Partner with external tax advisors on fund and management company tax matters.
• Evaluate and implement financial systems, reporting tools, and automation initiatives.
• Develop scalable accounting processes to support continued organizational growth.
• Maintain best-in-class accounting policies, documentation, and reporting procedures
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with senior leadership, investors, external advisors, auditors, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide financial analysis and strategic insights to support executive decision-making.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• CPA strongly preferred; MBA, CFA, or Master's degree is a plus.
• Public accounting foundation (Big 4 or national firm preferred).
• Prior experience within private equity, alternative investments, investment management, or another investment fund environment required.
• Strong understanding of private equity fund accounting, investor reporting, partnership accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience managing audits, implementing process improvements, and leading accounting operations.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial reporting systems.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.