Controller

Vaco by Highspring; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring, a San Francisco-based investment management services firm, seeks a Controller to own accounting and reporting for a sophisticated investment platform. This hybrid role partners with senior finance leadership to deepen expertise in fund structures, valuations, and capital activity.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of fund accounting experience, strong ASC 946/ASC 820 knowledge, and a tech-forward approach to automate finance processes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of fund accounting experience, ideally with open-ended and closed-end structures.
• Strong knowledge of investment company accounting and fair value principles (ASC 946, ASC 820).
• Experience reviewing complex fund accounting deliverables, valuations, NAV calculations, capital activity, and performance reporting.
• Strong analytical judgment and ability to research complex matters independently.
• Technology-forward mindset with willingness to adopt automation and modern finance tools.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fund accounting deliverables prepared by external administrators, including NAVs, fees, and performance calculations.
• Own quarterly fund reporting and support regulatory and financial reporting requirements.
• Review investment valuations and ensure proper application of fair value guidance.
• Monitor capital and cash activity across investment vehicles (calls, distributions, subscriptions, redemptions).
• Develop deep understanding of fund structures, economics, allocations, and related accounting mechanics.
• Review methodologies, investigate complex matters, and provide guidance on treatment.
• Maintain visibility across fund, management company and GP activity to identify issues.
• Serve as key review resource across finance workflows ensuring accuracy and controls.
• Partner with leadership and external providers to resolve complex matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes through technology and scalable workflows.

Skills

Fund accounting

NAV calculations

Regulatory reporting

Automation mindset

Job description

Controller, Fund Accounting

Our client, a private investment management firm, is seeking a Controller to take ownership of accounting and reporting for a sophisticated investment platform.

Location

San Francisco, CA. This role is hybrid, with in-office expectations of three days per week.

Job Description

This highly visible role will partner closely with senior finance leadership and develop deep expertise across fund structures, valuations, capital activity, and related investment operations. The ideal candidate brings strong fund accounting experience, independent judgment, intellectual curiosity, and an interest in using technology and automation to continually improve finance processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and review fund accounting deliverables prepared by external administrators, including NAVs, fees, performance calculations, and supporting schedules
• Own quarterly fund reporting and support applicable regulatory and financial reporting requirements
• Review investment valuations and ensure appropriate application of fair value accounting guidance
• Monitor capital and cash activity across investment vehicles, including capital calls, distributions, subscriptions, and redemptions
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of fund structures, economics, allocations, and related accounting mechanics
• Review accounting methodologies, investigate complex matters, and provide guidance on appropriate treatment
• Maintain visibility across fund, management company, and general partner activity to identify issues and reporting dependencies
• Serve as a key review and approval resource across finance workflows while ensuring accuracy and appropriate controls
• Partner with finance leadership and external service providers to resolve complex fund accounting and operational matters
• Identify opportunities to improve processes through technology, automation, and more scalable workflows

Requirements

• 8+ years of fund accounting experience, ideally with exposure to both open-ended and closed-end investment structures
• Strong knowledge of investment company accounting and fair value principles, including ASC 946 and ASC 820
• Experience reviewing complex fund accounting deliverables, valuations, NAV calculations, capital activity, and performance reporting
• Strong analytical judgment with the ability to independently research complex matters and develop well-supported conclusions
• Technology-forward mindset with a demonstrated willingness to adopt automation, emerging tools, and new approaches to finance processes

Compensation

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors, including but not limited to:

• The individual's skill sets, experience, and training;
• Licensure and certifications;
• Office location and other geographic considerations;
• Other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco by Highspring notes that the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).