Controller

The Siegfried Group; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Siegfried Group is seeking a Controller to lead accounting operations and financial reporting. You will ensure accuracy, integrity, and scalability of processes, systems, and controls while partnering with the CFO and senior leaders.

The role combines hands-on accounting leadership with strategic business partnering, directing the close, financial reporting, and continuous-improvement initiatives across the firm. Strong CPA, GAAP knowledge, and experience in public accounting are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Active CPA license in good standing required.
• Public accounting experience preferred and supervisory experience.
• Experience with monthly close, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience with Workday or similar ERP systems and automation tools.
• Ability to partner with CFO, FP&A, and senior leaders on strategic initiatives.
• Strong communication, leadership, and team-development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead general ledger, consolidation, monthly close, and financial reporting.
• Oversee accounts payable, payroll, fixed assets, and treasury functions.
• Manage external audit process and liaison with auditors and lenders.
• Maintain and improve accounting policies and internal controls.
• Analyze KPIs and provide insights to senior leadership.
• Drive process improvements and automation in close and reporting.

Skills

Financial reporting

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Internal controls

Strategic partnering

Cross-functional collaboration

Auditing

Analytics

Process improvement

Technology adoption

Education

CPA license

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Workday

Job description

Job Description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Accounting Officer, the Controller will lead Siegfried’s accounting operations and financial reporting functions. This role will be responsible for maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and scalability of the Firm’s accounting processes, financial systems, policies, controls, and reporting cadence. The Controller will partner closely with members of the broader Finance team and other Operations function leaders to support timely decision-making, a disciplined monthly close, strong internal controls, and continued process improvement as the Firm grows.

The Controller will be expected to operate as both a hands-on accounting leader and a strategic business partner, bringing strong technical accounting judgment, disciplined execution, people leadership, and a continuous-improvement mindset. This role will help strengthen and scale core accounting and finance processes, develop and coach team members, enhance reporting and analysis, and ensure the Finance team continues to deliver reliable, high-quality service to internal stakeholders.

Essential Functions & Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Firm’s general ledger, consolidation, monthly close, and financial reporting processes, ensuring that financial statements, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and reporting packages are accurate, complete, timely, and well-supported

• Oversee core accounting operations, including accounts payable, payroll, fixed assets, expense reporting, treasury, and other recurring accounting processes

• Oversee internal and external financial reporting and analytical functions, including technical accounting research, documentation, and execution

• Lead the Firm’s external audit process and serve as a primary accounting contact for external auditors, lenders, and other external stakeholders, ensuring timely, accurate, and well-supported deliverables

• Maintain and continuously improve the Firm’s accounting policies, procedures, and internal control environment, including supporting risk assessments and evaluating whether controls are appropriately designed and operating effectively

• Monitor and report on key financial performance indicators and provide analysis that helps senior leadership understand financial results, trends, and business drivers

• Partner with the CFO, FP&A, and other executive and functional leaders to support strategic and long-range initiatives by assessing financial implications, identifying accounting and control considerations, and helping drive disciplined execution

• Lead, coach, develop, and manage the performance of accounting team members, including setting clear expectations, providing meaningful feedback, supporting succession and talent planning, and building a high-performing and sustainable team

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve close, reporting, controls, cash management, financial systems, and recurring accounting processes, including through the disciplined and appropriately governed use of AI and automation

• Lead the effective use and continuous improvement of Workday, finance technology, reporting tools, workflows, and automated solutions to enhance team effectiveness and efficiency

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Accounting team and broader Finance function

Supervisory Responsibility

This position directly and indirectly supervises accounting team members responsible for accounting operations, financial reporting, treasury, payroll accounting, accounts payable, fixed assets, and internal controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

• Active Certified Public Accountant license in good standing

• Public accounting experience

• Experience leading monthly close, financial reporting, accounting operations, internal controls, and related accounting processes

• Strong individual and team leadership experience, including a track record of developing, coaching, and promoting team members

• Technical accounting research and documentation experience, with the ability to evaluate and apply authoritative accounting guidance to complex or judgmental matters

• Experience assessing risk, evaluating internal controls, and supporting effective control design, execution, and remediation

• Workday or similar large-scale ERP system experience

• Demonstrated comfort using technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve accounting workflows, reporting, analysis, documentation, and team efficiency

• Demonstrated ability to improve accounting processes, reporting workflows, systems, and controls in a growth-oriented environment

• Ability to partner effectively with the CFO, FP&A, and other executive and functional leaders on strategic initiatives and business decision support

• Strong business acumen and superior written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to translate complex financial matters into clear, actionable insights and build trust with the Accounting & Finance team, senior leadership, and other cross-functional stakeholders

• Ability and willingness to work an average of 45-50 hours per week, with additional hours as needed during close, reporting, audit, and other peak business cycles

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-demand, growth-oriented environment with a high energy level

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with demanding and high-quality expectations

• Team player with a strong desire to be an active, long-term participant in the overall growth of the Firm

• Entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to Firm’s vision

• Strong intangibles aligning with Siegfried’s High Performance Model®

• Strong values aligned with our Culture (Fairness, Honesty, Trustworthy, Respectful, Flexible, Strong Work Ethic)

• Ability and willingness to work in a Siegfried office as required for an average of four days per week in accordance with Siegfried’s then-current policy (This requirement is subject to change at the discretion of management)

• Approximately 10% travel may be required, depending on location and business needs

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

• 10+ years of progressive accounting, financial reporting, and controllership experience

• Experience identifying, implementing, or scaling AI, automation, or finance technology solutions to improve close, reporting, controls, reconciliations, documentation, or other accounting and finance processes

• Experience in a professional services, partnership, or multi-entity operating environment

• Experience supporting strategic initiatives, transformation efforts, or scalable finance operating model improvements

• Experience working with executive leadership, board-level reporting, or other senior stakeholder communications

FLSA/At-Will Employment

• This position is an exempt position under FLSA.

• This position is and will remain at-will in nature

Company Overview

Siegfried is a unique career choice, and we invest deeply in our people and believe in their potential. We have an exclusive group of talented professionals who are all ambitiously committed to continuous growth, personally and professionally. Our client-facing Professionals are helping the best people at the best companies with their most important work and transforming themselves along the way. And our Operations team is thoughtfully working on the business and helping grow our Firm with purpose. The investment and expectations of a career at Siegfried are high, because the reward of what we offer is high. We value and acknowledge the hard work of our employees in many ways, including competitive base salaries, energizing incentive compensation plans, career enhancement opportunities, and our hallmark MY Journey® program. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that encompasses a wide range of offerings, including robust healthcare coverage, dental and vision plans, generous paid vacation and sick time allowances, paid holidays, a 401k plan with employer match to support your financial goals, a profit-sharing program that allows you to share in the success of our organization, and unique allowances that nurture your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.