Controller

thebrandguild; Washington; Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Part-time engagement

Annual professional development stash

Mentorship opportunities

Job summary

The Brand Guild in Washington, DC is seeking an energetic Part-Time Controller to own financial reporting, close, and cash management. You will oversee our part-time bookkeeper and ensure tight controls across payroll, billing, and vendor payments.

This role is hybrid with about 2–3 in-office days per month. Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in accounting/finance with controller-level experience, QuickBooks Online proficiency, and a CPA background is a plus.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of accounting/finance experience incl. controller-level responsibility.
• Experience managing or reviewing a bookkeeper or staff accountant.
• Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks Online.
• Experience with services-agency finances: retainer billing, project-based revenue, or professional-services revenue recognition.
• Demonstrated experience owning a monthly close process independently.
• CPA license or CPA-track background (a plus, not required).
• Prior experience in a PR, marketing, advertising, or events agency.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close process; review and approve journal entries accessed by the bookkeeper.
• Prepare monthly financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) for leadership.
• Maintain and review department-level P&Ls across the eight service departments.
• Monitor weekly cash position and rolling cash flow forecasts.
• Review AP disbursements and payroll funding prepared by the bookkeeper.
• Establish and maintain internal controls over billing, collections, and vendor payments.
• Review client billing accuracy and support collections escalations on overdue accounts.
• Oversight of retainer, project, and client reimbursable expenses invoicing.
• Manage and supervise the part-time bookkeeper's day-to-day transactional work.
• Review reconciliations and entries for accuracy before close.
• Set priorities and cadence for the bookkeeper's weekly workload.
• Coordinate with external CPA/tax preparer on timely filings.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and support audits.
• Help ensure compliance with multi-jurisdiction payroll and tax requirements.

Skills

Progressive accounting/finance

Manage or review bookkeeper

Independent monthly close ownership

Experience in services-agency finances

Controller-level responsibility

Education

CPA license or CPA-track

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Sage Expense Management

Job description

The Brand Guild is an award-winning, mid-sized integrated communications agency with offices in Washington D.C. and NYC. and we are looking for an energetic, organized and proactive individual to join our team as a Part-timeController in our DC office. We're looking for an experienced, hands-on Part-Time Controller to own our financial reporting, controls, and cash management, and to directly oversee our part-time bookkeeper.

Note: This is a part-time, fractional engagement requiring 60 hours of support a month (weekly hour requirement may vary based on time of month). This is a hybrid position with some in office days required (~2-3 times/month)

You Are Someone Who:

• Owns the numbers. You are comfortable being the final reviewer on the books, not just an input provider
• Enjoys building and tightening process, especially around close, controls, and reporting
• Can operate independently with minimal oversight while keeping leadership informed
• Is comfortable managing a bookkeeper's day-to-day work and holding that work to a high standard
• Is comfortable upskilling and supporting bookkeeper to their full potential
• Communicates clearly with finance and non-finance stakeholders including department heads, the SVP of Operations, fraction CFO, and Co-CEOs.
• Is discreet and trustworthy with sensitive financial and payroll information

You Will:

Financial Reporting & Close

• Own the monthly close process; review and approve journal entries prepared or entered by the bookkeeper
• Prepare monthly financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) for leadership
• Maintain and review department-level P&Ls across TBG's eight service departments

Cash Management & Controls

• Monitor weekly cash position and rolling cash flow forecasts
• Review and approve AP disbursements and payroll funding prepared by the bookkeeper
• Establish and maintain internal controls over billing, collections, and vendor payments
• Review client billing accuracy and support collections escalations on overdue accounts
• Oversight of retainer, project, and client reimbursable expenses invoicing

Bookkeeper Oversight

• Manage and directly supervise the part-time bookkeeper's day-to-day transactional work (AP/AR entry, bank reconciliations, data entry)
• Review reconciliations and transactional entries for accuracy before close
• Set priorities and cadence for the bookkeeper's weekly workload

Compliance & Audit Readiness

• Coordinate with The Brand Guild's external CPA/tax preparer on timely tax filings (sales tax, payroll tax)
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and support any external audit or review
• Help ensure compliance with multi-jurisdiction payroll and tax requirements as applicable

Systems & Process

• Maintain and improve accounting system architecture (Quickbooks and Sage Expense Management) and ensure tools and technology supports scaling company needs.
• Recommend process improvements to reduce close time and reporting errors

What You Bring:

• 7+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including prior Controller-level responsibility
• Experience managing or reviewing the work of a bookkeeper or staff accountant
• Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks (Online)
• Experience with services-agency financials: retainer billing, project-based revenue, or professional-services revenue recognition
• Demonstrated experience owning a monthly close process independently
• CPA license or CPA-track background (a plus, not required)
• Prior experience in a PR, marketing, advertising, or events agency

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• People-first culture: A supportive, high-energy team that values creativity, collaboration, and balance
• Professional development: Annual stipend, training programs, and mentorship opportunities
• Hybrid flexibility that fosters connection and creativity
• Exciting clients: Work with best-in-class brands in our F&B portfolio

The Brand Guild is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and equitable workplace. If you require accommodations during the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].