Controller

Jobster LLC; Manitowoc (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bank First in Wisconsin seeks a Controller to lead the bank's accounting and financial reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness under U.S. GAAP.

The role partners with senior leadership to support strategic decisions and maintain a strong control environment. You will oversee month-end close, financial statement prep, internal controls, regulatory reporting, audits, and policy governance, while driving automation and process improvements across Finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA certification required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and banking operations.
• Experience overseeing month-end close, financial statement preparation, audits, and regulatory interactions.
• Proven leadership, team development, and project management skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, regulatory requirements, and Bank First accounting policies.
• Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, accounting operations, reconciliations, and financial reporting activities.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls over financial reporting, including control documentation, testing support, and remediation efforts.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and Finance-related compliance activities.
• Provide technical accounting guidance on new products, business initiatives, acquisitions, and complex transactions.
• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and operational efficiencies across Finance functions.
• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and governance practices that support a strong control environment.
• Support Bank First's mission, values, and commitment to exceptional service while fostering a culture of operational excellence.

Skills

U.S. GAAP knowledge

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Audits coordination

Leadership

Project management

Analytical skills

Regulatory interactions

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA

Job description

At Bank First, we're not just a bank-we're a community. Consistently ranked among the top-performing banks in the U.S. and Wisconsin, and recognized by American Banker as one of the "Best Banks to Work For." We combine professional excellence with a culture that truly values people. When you join Bank First, you're joining a team that invests in your growth, supports your well-being, and celebrates your contributions.

About the Role

The Controller is responsible for leading the Bank's accounting and financial reporting functions while ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial information. This position oversees general accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, regulatory reporting support, audit coordination, and accounting policy governance. The Controller partners closely with SVP-Finance, executive leadership, business unit leaders, Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, and external auditors to support strategic decision-making and maintain a strong control environment. The role is responsible for advancing process improvement initiatives, automation, and operational excellence across the Finance Department.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, regulatory requirements, and Bank First accounting policies.
• Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, accounting operations, reconciliations, and financial reporting activities.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls over financial reporting, including control documentation, testing support, and remediation efforts.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and Finance-related compliance activities.
• Provide technical accounting guidance on new products, business initiatives, acquisitions, and complex transactions.
• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and operational efficiencies across Finance functions.
• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and governance practices that support a strong control environment.
• Support Bank First's mission, values, and commitment to exceptional service while fostering a culture of operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and banking operations.
• Experience overseeing month-end close, financial statement preparation, audits, and regulatory interactions.
• Proven leadership, team development, and project management skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Skills

• Experience within a regulated banking or financial services environment.
• Experience with regulatory reporting and bank examinations.
• Prior interaction with federal and state banking regulators.
• Experience leading accounting system implementations, automation projects, or process transformation initiatives.
• MBA, master's in accounting, or other advanced degree.

Pay range and compensation package

Join Bank First and build a career where your contributions matter, your growth is supported, and your work makes a difference every single day.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We foster curiosity, creativity, and responsiveness while embracing individual differences. Employees are empowered with tools to succeed and supported in their careers. We aim to be the top-performing, independent provider of financial services, delivering personalized solutions and Value to guests and communities.