Controller

Mission Wealth; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) / Profit Sharing

Medical / Dental / Vision

Sabbaticals

Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

Wellness benefits

Educational reimbursements

Job summary

Mission Wealth, a Barron’s Top 100 RIA, is seeking a growth-minded Controller in Santa Barbara to lead accounting operations and financial reporting for a nationally expanding firm. The role partners with finance leadership to build scalable infrastructure and strengthen internal controls.

The ideal candidate holds a CPA and 6+ years of accounting experience in wealth/financial services, with deep GAAP knowledge and strong leadership capabilities to collaborate across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting is required.
• CPA designation is required or CPA-path strongly preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in wealth/fin services.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual GAAP-compliant financial reporting.
• Prepare and support financial reporting packages for private equity partners and lenders.
• Own and manage the monthly close process including GL, reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Oversee core accounting operations (AP, expense management, corporate card).
• Serve as liaison with external accounting, tax, audit, and capital partners.
• Maintain capital and equity records, including equity administration through Carta.
• Develop internal controls and governance for a growing PE-backed firm.
• Manage treasury operations and liquidity levels.
• Maintain schedules supporting bonus programs and equity administration.
• Lead cross-functional finance initiatives and scalable accounting infrastructure.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and reporting efficiency.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Team leadership

Cross-functional partnering

Cash flow management

Auditor coordination

Cloud accounting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA designation

Tools

Carta

CRM systems

Portfolio reporting

Expense management systems

Cloud accounting platforms

Job description

As a Barron’s Top 100 RIA firm and voted Best Places to Work by Fortune, Pacific Coast Business Times, Inc. (Best Workplaces), and Investment News, Mission Wealth is hiring a growth-minded Controller to join our award-winning team! If you are ready to elevate your career in a leading wealth management company with a commitment to giving back to the community and expanding nationally, let’s go!

Mission Wealth has offered 360-degree wealth management services to affluent families since 2000. Our dynamic planning process ensures that every piece of the puzzle is put into place as our clients’ lives unfold and their needs evolve. This gives them the complete picture and confidence in their financial future.

The Controller will play a critical leadership role in managing and strengthening Mission Wealth’s accounting function as the firm continues its national growth. This role will oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and the monthly close process, reporting to the Director of Finance and senior leadership to ensure a scalable and disciplined financial infrastructure.

Mission Wealth has grown rapidly, and our finance platform is entering a new phase of maturity. The Controller will help modernize our accounting processes, build scalable systems, and support the financial rigor expected of a growing private equity–backed firm. This is not a maintenance role. It is an opportunity to lead and help design the financial infrastructure of a growing national wealth management firm.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, and a CPA designation is required. Experience within wealth management, financial services, or professional services environments is strongly preferred.

We are looking for someone with deep knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to partner effectively with finance leadership and cross-functional teams.

Key Skills And Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA required
• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in wealth management, financial services, or professional services
• Strong understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, and accounting controls
• Experience managing monthly close processes and preparing financial statements
• Experience with cash flow management and treasury operations
• Experience working with external auditors, tax advisors, and financial partners
• Familiarity with cloud-based accounting platforms, CRM systems, portfolio reporting platforms, and expense management systems
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to partner with internal teams and senior leadership
• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting and compliance with GAAP
• Prepare and support financial reporting packages for private equity partners, senior leadership, and lenders, ensuring accurate and timely insights into firm performance, capital structure, and operational metrics
• Own and manage the monthly close process, including general ledger management, reconciliations, and preparation of financial statements
• Oversee core accounting operations including accounts payable, expense management, corporate card activity, and related systems
• Serve as the primary liaison between Mission Wealth and external accounting, tax, audit, and capital partners
• Maintain capital and equity-related records, including equity administration through Carta and associated financial reporting requirements
• Develop and maintain internal controls, financial governance processes, and audit documentation appropriate for a growing private equity–backed organization
• Manage the firm’s treasury operations, ensuring disciplined cash management and appropriate liquidity levels
• Maintain financial schedules supporting bonus programs, equity administration, and organizational planning
• Lead cross-functional finance initiatives and support the continued build-out of a modern, scalable accounting infrastructure
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes, financial controls, and reporting efficiency

You may be the perfect candidate if you:

• Thrive in a growing, entrepreneurial environment where processes are still being built, refined, and scaled
• Enjoy rolling up your sleeves and jumping in where needed, while also thinking strategically about how to improve the function long-term
• Are energized by creating structure, improving controls, and building repeatable processes in a fast-growing business
• Have a strong ownership mindset and take pride in driving projects to completion with limited handholding
• Are comfortable working closely with senior leadership, external partners, and cross-functional teams
• Can balance technical accounting rigor with practical business judgment
• Communicate clearly, proactively, and professionally, especially when priorities are shifting
• Want to be part of a collaborative, mission-driven firm where giving back, growth, and excellence are core to the culture

Role Details

Job Type: Full-time, salaried non-exempt

Location: Santa Barbara office

Salary: $170,000, plus $30,000 annual bonus paid in quarterly increments

Mission Wealth offers a competitive salary, team-based compensation plan, defined pathways to equity partner in the firm, medical/dental/vision benefits, 401(k)/Profit Sharing, Volunteer Time Off (VTO), Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Sabbaticals, wellness benefits, and ongoing educational reimbursements.