Controller

Flying Horse Capital; Minneapolis, Saint Paul (MN, MN); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Flying Horse Capital seeks a Controller to lead accounting and finance for a Minneapolis-based law firm, reporting to the CEO. This hands-on role owns financial reporting, cash management, accounting operations and internal controls, with a clear path toward becoming CFO as the business grows.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of progressive accounting experience (including 3+ years as Controller), strong GAAP knowledge, and the ability to advise senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years as Controller or senior accounting leader.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and the close process.
• Hands-on leader in a lean finance function.
• Ability to advise senior leadership and clearly communicate financial information to firm partners.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end and year-end close, GL, and financial statement preparation.
• Deliver timely financial reporting to the CEO and partners.
• Coordinate annual audit or review, tax preparation, and CPA relationships.
• Oversee billing, collections, AR and WIP.
• Manage trust and IOLTA accounting and client fund reconciliations.
• Monitor realization, utilization, matter profitability and timekeeper productivity.
• Administer partner compensation calculations, capital accounts, and distributions.
• Lead budgeting and ongoing forecasting; provide financial analysis for pricing and growth decisions.
• Strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.
• Lead and develop accounting and billing staff; establish efficient processes.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Hands-on leadership

Communication to leadership

Law firm finance experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Aderant

Elite

Clio

PCLaw

Job description

Compensation: $165,000 base salary plus bonus

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a set on-site schedule

About the Opportunity

Flying Horse Capital is a Dallas-based permanent capital firm that acquires and holds founder- and family-owned businesses for the long term. We build leadership teams for our portfolio companies and support key executive searches for strategic partners across our network.

We are conducting this search on behalf of a Minneapolis-based law firm with which we have an established relationship. The firm is expanding its finance function and seeking a Controller to serve as its senior finance and accounting leader, with a clear path toward becoming CFO.

Role Overview

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Controller will lead the firm’s accounting and finance function. This hands-on leader will own financial reporting, cash management, accounting operations and internal controls while partnering with leadership on profitability, planning and growth.

The position is designed to evolve into the firm’s CFO role as the business grows and the successful candidate demonstrates strategic leadership and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and Reporting

• Own the month-end and year-end close, general ledger and financial statement preparation.
• Deliver timely, accurate financial reporting to the CEO and partners.
• Coordinate the annual audit or review, tax preparation and relationships with outside CPAs.

Law Firm Financial Operations

• Oversee billing, collections, accounts receivable and work in process (WIP).
• Manage trust and IOLTA accounting, including client fund reconciliations and compliance with applicable Minnesota requirements.
• Monitor realization, utilization, matter profitability and timekeeper productivity.
• Administer partner compensation calculations, capital accounts and distributions.

Cash Management, Budgeting and Planning

• Manage cash flow, banking relationships and the firm’s line of credit.
• Lead annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting.
• Provide financial analysis to inform pricing, hiring and growth decisions.

Controls, Systems and Team Leadership

• Strengthen internal controls, accounting policies and financial procedures.
• Improve the use of practice management, billing and accounting systems.
• Lead and develop accounting and billing staff.
• Establish consistent processes that support accurate reporting and efficient operations.

Path to CFO

• Serve as a financial and strategic advisor to the CEO and firm leadership.
• Expand financial planning and decision support as the firm grows.
• Build the team, systems and processes needed for a scalable finance function.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years as a Controller or senior accounting leader.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting and the close process.
• Experience serving as a hands-on leader in a lean finance function.
• Ability to advise senior leadership and communicate financial information clearly to firm partners.

Preferred

• Law firm or professional services finance experience.
• Knowledge of trust and IOLTA accounting, partner compensation and law firm performance metrics.
• Experience with legal practice management and billing systems, such as Aderant, Elite, Clio or PCLaw.