Controller

Arizent; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Disability and life insurance

Paid vacation, sick, personal, and wel

wellness days

Parental leave and holiday pay

401(k) program

Fitness reimbursement

Job summary

Arizent is seeking an experienced Controller to lead accounting operations, enforce financial controls, and modernize the finance function. You will manage a local team and offshore resources, oversee all financial reporting, general ledger integrity, treasury, and audit coordination.

The role requires strong technical accounting, proven leadership, and a hands-on approach to optimize processes and leverage AI for efficiency. Hybrid NYC area with remote possibilities across the United States.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 5+ years as a Controller.
• Experience managing an accounting team through supervisors.
• Strong technical accounting expertise and financial governance.
• Interest in automating close and reporting workflows using AI is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end close calendar, checklist, and completion.
• Oversee revenue recognition and ensure accuracy of financial statements.
• Manage AP, treasury, and cash flow controls; approve payments and banking relations.
• Lead ERP and platform migrations; drive automation in accounting processes.
• Support board reporting and FP&A inputs for multi-year planning.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Revenue recognition

Treasury management

Team development

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor degree in accounting or finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Arizent is the trusted business information company that advances professional communities in financial and professional services. Through independent journalism, proprietary research, market intelligence platforms, influential rankings, and live events, Arizent helps decision-makers cut through the noise and lead with confidence. The company powers leading brands including American Banker, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning, National Mortgage News, Accounting Today, Digital Insurance, and Employee Benefit News — together reaching more than 3 million professionals and convening thousands of industry leaders at over 20 live events each year.

We're building on a legacy of excellence while embracing new ideas, fresh perspectives, and bold thinking. We’re looking for curious, creative, and driven individuals who want to challenge convention, collaborate with talented colleagues, and make a meaningful impact.

Bring your ideas, your ambition, and your unique perspective and help us shape what’s next. To learn more, visit www.arizent.com.

Arizent is seeking an experienced, hands‑on Controller to lead our accounting operations, enforce rigorous financial controls, and modernize our finance infrastructure. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will manage a team of local managers (AP Manager and Accounting Manager) as well as offshore resources, serving as the core operational leader for all financial reporting, general ledger integrity, treasury management, and audit coordination.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting expertise, proven leadership experience, and a hands‑on approach to managing financial operations. This role will also play a key role in modernizing accounting systems, streamlining processes, and leveraging automation and AI to increase efficiency.

This position offers high executive visibility, with direct communication and relationship management with the Board of Directors and senior executive leadership. We are seeking a proactive financial leader who excels at managing strategic financial governance while working directly within the general ledger when needed, leveraging applied AI and modern automation tools to build a scalable, best‑in‑class accounting function.

Headquartered in the heart of New York City, we offer a hybrid work environment for employees based in the New York metropolitan area, while also welcoming remote employees across the United States.

Key Responsibilities:

Close and Reporting

• Own the month‑end close calendar, checklist, and completion
• Review and approve journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations
• Perform trial balance flux analysis
• Maintain accurate financial statements and general ledger integrity
• Own the chart of accounts, entity coding, and account mapping

Revenue

• Oversee revenue recognition performed by the accounting team and confirm results are accurate and complete
• Review the financial statements to identify potential misstatements in revenue and deferred revenue, and investigate variances

Accounts Payable and Expense

• Approve AP transactions, ACH runs, and new vendor setup
• Oversee travel and expense reporting

Treasury

• Approve payments and wires with direct bank account access
• Manage cash, banking relationships, and payment controls
• Monitor liquidity and debt covenant compliance
• Prepare lender reporting
• Optimize yield on cash

Forecasting

• Own the capital expenditure budget, multi‑year forecast, actuals, and driver analysis
• Maintain depreciation and amortization schedules
• Build forecasted balance sheets and cash flow forecasts from the budgeted income statement provided by FP&A
• Maintain supporting interest and tax projections, and related planning

Planning and Board Reporting

• Support annual headcount, compensation, and organizational planning, including department structure and allocation of responsibilities
• Own the balance sheet, debt covenant, and cash flow sections of the monthly board report
• Speak to the drivers behind period changes and budget vs. actuals
• Provide accounting inputs to FP&A for the multi‑year plan
• Communicate directly with board members and manage those relationships

Stock‑Based Compensation

• Administer Stock Based Compensation accounting, expense, and disclosures
• Maintain grant records and coordinate with legal and HR

Team and Systems

• Manage and develop the AP Manager and Accounting Manager and their teams
• Allocate responsibilities across local and offshore resources
• Maintain working knowledge of each team member's responsibilities and workload, and continuously improve the efficiency of the accounting function
• Serve as finance owner of the ERP, AP, expense, and banking platforms
• Lead ERP and platform migrations, including AP and T&E systems
• Apply AI to accounting processes, partnering with the AI and data team to build agents
• Maintain required external registrations
• Build and manage the offshore accounting team

Other

• Audit support, tax provision, and tax filings
• Manage insurance, contracts, and procurement, and drive continuous improvement of the supporting policies and controls

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor degree in accounting or finance
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 5+ years as a Controller
• Full ownership of month‑end close in a multi‑product and revenue stream environment
• Revenue recognition experience with subscription products, including review of staff‑prepared schedules
• Stock‑based compensation and treasury experience, including wire and payment approval authority
• Balance sheet and cash flow forecasting from an income statement budget
• Experience managing an accounting team through supervisors
• Experience coaching and developing staff

Preferred

• Experience managing offshore or distributed accounting teams across multiple time zones
• Interest in automating close and reporting workflows using AI
• Start‑up or high‑growth experience defining and transforming processes and workflows at a small to mid‑sized company
• Self‑starter who thrives in a fast‑paced environment

Systems

We welcome applications from experienced accounting professionals interested in leading financial operations, developing teams, and improving accounting processes and systems.

At Arizent, we believe equal opportunity is more than a policy, it's a source of strength and innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) help build community, encourage connection, and play a key role in creating a supportive and enriching work environment.

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and growth. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Disability and life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick, personal, and wellness days
• Parental leave and holiday pay
• 401(k) program
• Fitness reimbursement

Compensation is determined based on relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and the responsibilities of the role. Applicants are encouraged to include salary expectations in their cover letter.

As an equal opportunity employer, we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, height and weight, protected veteran status, or any other protected status. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment.