Controller

Frederick Fox; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Frederick Fox is seeking an experienced Controller to lead fund accounting and financial reporting within a private equity environment in San Diego. You will work closely with the CFO, owning capital calls, distributions, and LP allocations while ensuring tight controls and scalable processes.

The role requires a clear, hands-on approach to private equity fund accounting, GAAP for investment entities, and oversight of third-party administrators.

Qualifications

• Direct, hands-on private equity controller/fund accounting experience.
• Deep understanding of PE fund structures and waterfall mechanics.
• Experience overseeing third‑party fund administrators and LP reporting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quarterly and annual fund closes and financial reporting.
• Manage capital calls, distributions and partner/LP allocations.
• Support fee calculations, carried interest, and waterfall modeling.
• Review outsourced accounting work and maintain strong controls.
• Support audits and strengthen month-end close processes.
• Develop scalable accounting policies and reporting infrastructure.
• Assist cash forecasting, liquidity planning and treasury.
• Collaborate with CFO on reporting and systems improvements.

Skills

Hands-on PE controller

Fund accounting

LP reporting

Waterfall & carried interest

GAAP knowledge

Education

CPA

Job description

We are conducting a search for an experienced Controller to join a rapidly growing, well-capitalized private equity investment firm in San Diego. This is a high-level, hands‑on Controller opportunity reporting directly to the CFO. The firm manages approximately $2.7 billion across its investment vehicles and invests behind the energy transition, critical infrastructure, power, data center and related industrial sectors. Despite its significant capital base, the organization remains lean and entrepreneurial, with approximately 45 professionals. The finance function is actively being professionalized and scaled. This is not an advisory-only or oversight position. We are specifically looking for someone who has been hands‑on within the accounting and controllership function of a private equity or alternative investment platform.

About the Role

You will work closely with the CFO and take significant ownership across the firm's fund accounting, financial reporting, controls, treasury and finance infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Support quarterly and annual fund closes and financial reporting
• Oversee capital calls, distributions and partner/LP allocations
• Support management fee calculations, carried interest and waterfall modeling
• Review work performed by third‑party fund administrators and maintain strong oversight of outsourced accounting relationships
• Support fund audits across multiple investment vehicles
• Own key components of the management company's month‑end close
• Strengthen controls around cash, intercompany activity, accruals and expense allocations
• Develop scalable accounting policies, procedures and reporting processes
• Support cash forecasting, liquidity planning and treasury
• Review capital call and distribution calculations and notices
• Partner directly with the CFO on reporting, process improvement, systems and finance infrastructure initiatives

Qualifications

• The most important qualification is direct, hands‑on private equity Controller/fund accounting experience.
• Approximately 12–20+ years of progressive accounting, fund accounting and/or controllership experience
• Significant experience within private equity, private credit, real assets or another alternative investment platform
• Prior experience operating at the Controller, Fund Controller, Senior Fund Controller or comparable level
• Deep understanding of PE fund structures
• Capital call and distribution experience
• Waterfall and carried‑interest calculations
• LP reporting
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and familiarity with GAAP for investment entities
• Experience working with and overseeing third‑party fund administrators
• Ability to operate hands‑on rather than simply managing the function from a high level
• Comfort working directly with a CFO in a lean, fast‑moving environment
• CPA preferred, but not required
• Candidates coming from a Big 4 Investment Management practice may also be considered if they have sufficiently deep, hands‑on fund accounting experience and are capable of stepping directly into a senior Controller seat.

Required Skills

Direct, hands‑on private equity Controller/fund accounting experience.

Preferred Skills

CPA preferred, but not required; Candidates coming from a Big 4 Investment Management practice may also be considered.

Pay range and compensation package

Not specified in the job description.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity.