Controller

LSL, LLP; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

LSL CPAs in Orange County, California, seeks a Controller to lead the accounting and finance function, ensuring accurate reporting, cash management, and financial strategy in partnership with firm leadership. You will shape forecasts, month‑end closes, and compliance to support profitable growth.

You will manage budgeting, forecasting, payroll, treasury, and reporting across multi‑state operations, guiding strategic initiatives and compensation planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• CPA certification is required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 3+ years of accounting or finance leadership experience.
• Public accounting or professional services experience is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) is required.
• Experience with practice management systems and financial forecasting software is preferred.
• Experience overseeing accounting operations, payroll, cash management, and internal controls is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s budgeting process and rolling forecasts.
• Produce monthly financial statements and management reports for Partners.
• Oversee accounts receivable, payroll, and cash management.
• Support compensation modeling and partner capital reporting.
• Ensure internal controls and compliance across multi-state operations.
• Provide financial guidance on strategic initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Financial acumen

Analytical thinking

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA certification

8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience

3+ years of accounting or finance leadership experience

Public accounting or professional services experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Finance forecasting software

Practice management systems

Job description

Join our Team!

We work in an environment where everyone’s voice is heard

We are one of the largest regional accounting firms headquartered in Orange County, California. We’re accountants providing solid guidance, support & solutions to businesses, governments, and non-profits. Our outstanding employees are crucial to our unique, diverse culture and talent development, as well as our ability to attract clients successfully. At LSL, you will discover an atmosphere that motivates and encourages you to succeed personally and professionally.

Join our Team!

We work in an environment where everyone’s voice is heard

We are one of the largest regional accounting firms headquartered in Orange County, California. We’re accountants providing solid guidance, support & solutions to businesses, governments, and non-profits. Our outstanding employees are crucial to our unique, diverse culture and talent development, as well as our ability to attract clients successfully. At LSL, you will discover an atmosphere that motivates and encourages you to succeed personally and professionally.

Controller

The Controller serves as the firm’s senior accounting leader and is responsible for the integrity of the firm’s financial operations, reporting, forecasting, budgeting, cash management, internal controls, and financial strategy. This role partners closely with firm leadership, department leaders, and operational teams to provide actionable financial insights that support profitable growth, operational excellence, and the firm’s long‑term strategic objectives. The Controller also leads the firm’s accounting and finance function and plays a key role in financial planning, partner compensation, cash management, and business expansion initiatives.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the firm’s annual budgeting process.
• Develop and maintain rolling financial forecasts.
• Produce monthly financial statements and management reporting packages for distribution to Partners and firm leadership.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators, including realization, utilization, leverage, turnover costs, and revenue per FTE.
• Perform variance analysis across actual results, budgets, forecasts, and prior periods, and communicate key findings to leadership.
• Collaborate with firm and department leadership to interpret financial results, identify trends, and recommend appropriate actions.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and other business expansion initiatives through financial analysis, modeling, and integration planning.
• Partner with People Operations and operational leaders on compensation planning, headcount forecasting, and expense management.

Financial Operations

• Provide oversight of accounts receivable and work‑in‑process (WIP).
• Oversee and direct the firm’s payroll function in collaboration with People Operations.
• Drive billing and collections activities and related financial processes.
• Develop and maintain cash flow forecasts.
• Oversee month‑end and year‑end close activities, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Maintain the firm’s treasury function, including banking relationships, cash management, borrowing facilities, and liquidity planning.
• Provide financial guidance on operational initiatives and department projects across the firm.

Partner Compensation Management

• Support partner compensation modeling and analysis.
• Administer partner capital accounts, distributions, buy‑ins, buy‑outs, and related financial reporting.
• Prepare financial reporting packages for Partners and firm leadership.
• Analyze profitability by service line, department, and Partner.
• Assist the Executive Committee with strategic financial analysis and decision‑making.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective internal accounting controls, policies, and processes.
• Ensure compliance with firm policies, regulatory requirements, and applicable multi‑state considerations, including payroll allocations and expense treatment.
• Oversee the firm’s annual audit and tax return processes in coordination with external service providers.
• Maintain appropriate financial documentation and reporting standards.
• Process Improvement & Systems
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting, financial reporting, and related operational processes.
• Partner with internal stakeholders on financial system enhancements, automation, and reporting improvements.
• Support the implementation, optimization, and ongoing use of financial systems and tools.
• Develop processes and reporting capabilities that improve financial visibility and support data‑driven decision‑making.
• Special Projects
• Lead or participate in special projects, including financial modeling, profitability analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and operational initiatives.
• Provide financial analysis and support for strategic initiatives as requested by firm leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, lead, and provide oversight of the firm’s accounting and finance team, including payroll.
• Establish priorities, processes, and accountability within the accounting and finance function.
• Build strong working relationships with Partners, firm leadership, department leaders, and People Operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, required.
• CPA certification, required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, required.
• 3+ years of accounting or finance leadership experience, required.
• Public accounting or professional services industry experience, preferred.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting experience, required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams), required.
• Experience with practice management systems and financial forecasting software, preferred.
• Experience overseeing accounting operations, payroll, cash management, and internal controls, preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong financial, analytical, and business acumen.
• Ability to communicate complex financial and technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Critical and analytical approach to problem solving.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Understands and supports the vision of LSL.
• Professional behavior and appearance.

At LSL CPAs, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package along with a supportive, team-focused environment. Our remote work environment allows you the freedom to manage your personal commitments while staying dedicated to serving our clients.

Work Authorization:

Must be authorized to work in the United States permanently without the requirement of sponsorship at any point in the future.

Salary Range: $100.000 - $141,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that LSL, LLP provides to compensate and recognize our professionals for their work. All exempt positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus, and all employees who are regularly scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are offered a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.