Controller

Colossus Search Group; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Colossus Search Group's Phoenix client is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead the finance function in a stable-growth organization. The role covers core accounting and close, financial reporting, revenue recognition, tax administration, Stripe payments, systems automation, pricing strategy, cash management, and governance; collaboration with operations, data and engineering is essential.

CPA license and a Master’s in Accounting are strongly preferred, with 3+ years in accounting or finance and

Qualifications

• CPA license (active or in progress) preferred.
• Advanced degree such as a Master's in Accounting strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of increasingly responsible accounting or finance roles, including leading an accounting function.
• Ideally 2+ years within a Big 4 public accounting firm.
• Solid grounding in US GAAP, close processes, revenue recognition, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Experience managing multi-state sales tax obligations a plus.
• Hands-on experience with Stripe payments processing, invoicing, and reconciliations.
• Ability to design and select finance systems and integrations (GL, subledgers, data warehouse).
• Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities across large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations and month/quarter/year-close cycles.
• Produce financial statements and KPI dashboards by business unit.
• Manage revenue recognition, rebates, and partner settlements.
• Handle Stripe invoicing, payouts, chargebacks, and tax compliance.
• Own finance systems architecture and automate processes with AI where applicable.
• Forecast cash flow, manage vendor disbursements, and price-related analyses.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to leadership and maintain controls for audits.

Skills

Core accounting

Close management

Financial reporting

Revenue recognition

Tax compliance

GAAP knowledge

Excel & data analysis

Systems automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Cash management

Education

CPA license (active or in progress)

Master's in Accounting or Professional Accounting

Tools

Stripe

General ledger systems

ERP systems

Data warehouse

Automation tools

Excel

Job description

Our Phoenix based client is hiring a hands on Controller for their stable-growth organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Core Accounting & Close Management: Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including the general ledger, journal entries, account reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable, accrual entries, and payroll cost allocations. Ensure balance sheet accuracy and drive the monthly, quarterly, and annual close cycles from start to finish.
• Financial Reporting: Produce financial statements along with margin and KPI dashboards segmented by business vertical and transaction category. Deliver cash flow reporting and prepare board- and leadership-ready materials.
• Revenue Recognition, Rebates & Partner Settlements: Establish and maintain revenue recognition policies spanning product lines, rebate structures, labor-based programs, pass-through expenses, financing arrangements, and tech fee income. Take ownership of reconciling partner accounts, generating rebate invoices, managing settlement cycles, resolving disputes, and overseeing payout processes.
• Payment Operations & Tax Administration: Manage the Stripe platform end-to-end, covering invoicing, payout scheduling, chargeback/dispute handling, refunds, and associated internal controls. Take full responsibility for sales tax compliance across states, including nexus determination, exemption certificate tracking, configuring Stripe Tax, filing remittances, and coordinating with the external tax advisory firm.
• Systems Architecture & Process Automation: Serve as the owner and architect of the broader finance technology stack, with particular focus on the revenue subledger. Collaborate with Operations, Automation, and Engineering teams to eliminate manual processes, leveraging AI tools where applicable, and strengthen data integrity.
• Pricing Strategy, Cash Management & Forecasting: Function as a financial gatekeeper on pricing and fee-related decisions. Conduct margin and unit-economics analysis, provide input on prospective partner programs, and take charge of cash oversight, vendor disbursements, and financial forecasting.
• Governance, Team Building & Strategic Input: Maintain tax compliance and internal control frameworks, prepare the organization for audits, and manage relationships with outside advisors. Grow and shape the finance team's structure as the company expands, while providing strategic, forward-thinking financial guidance to executive leadership.

Candidate Qualifications

• CPA license (active or in progress) is preferred.
• An advanced degree such as a Master's in Accounting or Professional Accounting is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of increasingly responsible accounting or finance roles, including experience leading an accounting function independently.
• Ideally, 2+ years within a Big 4 public accounting firm.
• Solid grounding in US GAAP principles, close processes, revenue recognition standards, reconciliations, accrual-based accounting, and reporting practices.
• Background in managing multi-state sales tax obligations (nexus rules, exemption documentation, remittance filing) is a plus.
• Hands-on experience managing a payment processing platform, with Stripe experience especially valued, spanning invoicing, disbursements, dispute management, and reconciliation.
• Demonstrated ability to select, own, and design finance systems, including general ledger platforms, subledgers, data warehouse tools, and system integrations feeding into the GL.
• Advanced Excel and broader data analysis capabilities, with ease navigating accounting platforms, payment records, operational datasets, and high-volume transactions.
• Meticulous, highly accountable, and an effective communicator.
• Proven ability to collaborate across business, operations, data, and engineering functions.