Controller

Saicon; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Saicon seeks an experienced Controller to lead the accounting function for a large facility in the venue management and hospitality industry. This hands-on leadership role covers financial reporting, GAAP compliance, month-end close, cost accounting, and internal controls.

The Controller will mentor the accounting team, manage budgeting and forecasting, analyze financial performance, and partner with operations to drive efficiency while ensuring timely, accurate reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.
• Approximately 2+ years of Controller-level experience with ownership of financial reporting and accounting operations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Experience owning and managing the month-end close process.
• Knowledge of general accounting and cost accounting.
• Experience preparing and reviewing financial statements.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
• Experience managing, mentoring, and developing accounting professionals.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and audit processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict financial reporting deadlines.
• Strong communication skills with both finance and operational stakeholders.
• Proficiency with accounting systems, spreadsheets, and standard business software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the facility's accounting function and oversee the day-to-day activities of the accounting team.
• Own and manage the month-end close process, ensuring accurate and timely completion.
• Ensure financial reporting and accounting practices comply with GAAP and applicable policies and regulations.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and other management reporting.
• Maintain oversight of the general ledger, accounts receivable, revenue recognition and distribution, operating expenses, depreciation, and other accounting records.
• Provide hands-on technical accounting guidance to the accounting team.
• Mentor and develop junior accounting professionals, including reviewing their work and helping strengthen their accounting knowledge.
• Lead and support annual budgeting and monthly forecasting activities.
• Analyze financial performance, departmental costs, and variances and provide management with relevant financial insights.
• Apply cost accounting principles to understand operating costs and financial performance.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls and accounting procedures designed to improve accuracy and mitigate financial risk.
• Support internal and external audits and coordinate preparation of required financial information.
• Monitor cash flow and review cash receipts, disbursements, deposits, and related activity.
• Review contracts and financial arrangements associated with facility operations and events.
• Review/prepare financial settlements for events and customers.
• Partner with operational leadership and other departments on financial matters.
• Support implementation and maintenance of accounting, payroll, timekeeping, inventory, and related systems and controls.
• Participate in additional financial and operational projects as needed.

Skills

GAAP

Month-end close

Financial reporting

Cost accounting

Internal controls

Mentoring

Leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Auditing

Communication

Payroll systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

ADP payroll

Excel

Accounting software

Job description

Controller

Industry: Venue Management / Hospitality

Department: Finance

Work Arrangement: Onsite, 5 days per week with some scheduling flexibility

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting function for a large operating facility within the venue management and hospitality industry. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for financial reporting, GAAP compliance, month-end close, cost accounting, internal controls, budgeting and forecasting, and oversight of the accounting team.

The Controller will inherit a team of developing accounting professionals and will be expected to provide structure, technical guidance, and mentorship while ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. The successful candidate will bring strong accounting expertise to the role while developing an understanding of the facility's operations and business model.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the facility's accounting function and oversee the day-to-day activities of the accounting team.
• Own and manage the month-end close process, ensuring accurate and timely completion.
• Ensure financial reporting and accounting practices comply with GAAP and applicable policies and regulations.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and other management reporting.
• Maintain oversight of the general ledger, accounts receivable, revenue recognition and distribution, operating expenses, depreciation, and other accounting records.
• Provide hands-on technical accounting guidance to the accounting team.
• Mentor and develop junior accounting professionals, including reviewing their work and helping strengthen their accounting knowledge.
• Lead and support annual budgeting and monthly forecasting activities.
• Analyze financial performance, departmental costs, and variances and provide management with relevant financial insights.
• Apply cost accounting principles to understand and evaluate operating costs and financial performance.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls and accounting procedures designed to improve accuracy and mitigate financial risk.
• Support internal and external audits and coordinate preparation of required financial information.
• Monitor cash flow and review cash receipts, disbursements, deposits, and related activity.
• Review applicable contracts and financial arrangements associated with facility operations and events.
• Review and/or prepare financial settlements associated with events and customers.
• Partner with operational leadership and other departments on financial matters.
• Support implementation and maintenance of accounting, payroll, timekeeping, inventory, and related financial systems and controls.
• Participate in additional financial and operational projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.
• Approximately 2+ years of Controller-level experience, with demonstrated ownership of financial reporting and accounting operations.
• Strong, hands-on knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Demonstrated experience owning and managing the month-end close process.
• Strong knowledge of general accounting and cost accounting.
• Experience preparing and reviewing financial statements.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
• Experience managing, mentoring, and developing accounting professionals.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and audit processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict financial reporting deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with both finance and operational stakeholders.
• Proficiency with accounting systems, spreadsheets, and standard business software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within hospitality, venue management, entertainment, or another operationally intensive environment.
• Experience working in an organization with union employees or exposure to union-related financial or administrative matters.
• CPA, CMA, and/or MBA.
• Experience with ADP or a comparable payroll platform.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating as both a hands-on Controller and people leader. This individual should be able to independently handle complex accounting matters while also teaching junior team members the reasoning and accounting principles behind their work. The role is particularly well suited to someone who enjoys improving accounting processes, creating greater structure around the close, and developing an accounting team.

Schedule & Work Environment

This position is primarily onsite five days per week, with some flexibility around start and end times. Typical schedules may include approximately 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Compensation

$110,000 - 120,000 base salary; no bonus

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds, including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans, to apply.