Financial Controller

BELAY; Atlanta (GA); Remote; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Remote-first

Job summary

BELAY is seeking a Controller to serve as a trusted advisor and fractional Controller for SMB clients. You will partner with clients and internal teams to deliver accurate financial reporting, guidance, and compliance while driving growth and profitability. This remote-first role supports clients across time zones in the U.S.

Eastern and Central Time Zones. Ideal candidates bring 6–8 years of accounting experience, Controller-level expertise, and proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Fathom,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business.
• 6–8 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong Controller-level expertise with financial statements, KPIs, forecasts, and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for clients, leading financial review calls.
• Provide proactive insight by identifying risks, opportunities, and compliance considerations.
• Monitor client engagement health and identify opportunities for additional support or services.
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure client needs are met with professionalism and timeliness.
• Collaborate with CFOs, Senior Accountants, Staff Accountants, and Bookkeepers to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Support workflow coordination and contribute to process improvements and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Communication

Self-starter

Team player

Tech-savvy

Organized

Coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Fathom

Shopify

Cin7

Amazon

Job description

At BELAY, we are a team of impossibly talented, endlessly passionate, and uncomfortably generous people, united by a common denominator: We live to serve. We focus on our clients' needs, and help them grow there businesses!

These roles are open to candidates in U.S. Eastern or Central Time Zones.

We are looking for Controllers to serve as trusted advisors and fractional Controllers for our small- to mid-sized business clients. They act as strategic partners, aligning financial services with client goals for growth, profitability, and compliance. By combining technical expertise with business insight, they guide owners through financial decision-making while collaborating closely with internal accounting team members to deliver high-quality financial support.

Our Controllers are professional, detail-focused, and adaptable to evolving technologies and business needs. They proactively identify opportunities for improvement, connect clients with additional resources, and deliver consistent, high-quality service. Internally, they contribute to process improvements, cross-functional collaboration, and operational excellence to support both client success and firm-wide growth.

As a BELAY Controller, you will professionally represent the company in all virtual and in-person interactions. You are expected to exemplify our mission, vision, and core values daily, fostering a collaborative and positive team environment.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for clients, leading financial review calls
• Serve as a key resource for complex client accounting matters and provide guidance on accounting decisions raised by both clients and internal accounting team members
• Provide proactive insight by identifying risks, opportunities, and compliance considerations to support client growth
• Monitor client engagement health and identify opportunities for additional support, resources, or services as appropriate
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure client needs are met with professionalism and timeliness
• Partner closely with Senior Accountants, Staff Accountants, Bookkeepers, and alongside CFOs to ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality client deliverables
• Provide accounting guidance and subject matter expertise related to complex client needs and financial matters
• Support workflow coordination and prioritization in partnership with leadership
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented team environment
• Share knowledge, best practices, and process improvements to support overall team effectiveness

Operational & Strategic Contributions

• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency while maintaining compliance
• Contribute to internal training resources, process documentation, and knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Participate in internal initiatives that support strategic goals and evolving client needs
• Stay informed on industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve client service delivery

Minimum Qualifications

This role requires a motivated and trustworthy self-starter with strong communication and technological skills, who thrives independently and as part of a team, and is willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done! Our ideal Controller is flexible, creative, well-organized and will conduct relational and efficient coaching at all times.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business
• 6–8 years of progressive accounting experience
• Strong Controller-level expertise, including explaining financial statements, interpreting KPIs and understanding forecasts and budgets
• Expertise in financial close processes and best practices
• Proficiency with accounting and business platforms (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Fathom, Shopify, Cin7, Amazon)
• Experience advising small businesses in industries such as inventory-based retail/e-commerce, creative/project-based companies, or technology startups
• Familiarity with accounting and tax methodology, as well as small business economic trends.
• Demonstrated ability to manage utilization, staffing, and profitability
• Strong leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to inspire high-performing teams
• Track record of delivering exceptional client service and strategic guidance to small businesses and startups

Working Conditions

BELAY is a remote-first organization. This role requires a dedicated home office, regular use of virtual collaboration tools, and a work schedule that aligns with business needs and BELAY's core collaboration hours. Occasional travel or flexibility outside standard business hours may be required based on the role.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
• Frequent participation in virtual meetings.
• Ability to communicate effectively through video conferencing, email, and phone.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Direct Reports

None

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change from time to time based on business needs, and team members may be assigned additional duties as needed.

Legal Disclosures

Pay Range: $75,000-$90,000 annually

Starting Pay Range: $75,000

Other Types of Pay: None

Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available to eligible employees. BELAY covers 70% of employee premiums and 65% of dependent premiums for medical, and 70% of employee premiums for dental and vision. Company-paid life insurance ($15,000 coverage) and short-term/long-term disability coverage (STD: 60% of weekly earnings up to $1,500; LTD: 60% of monthly earnings up to $10,000) are provided at no cost to full-time employees.

Retirement Benefits: 401(k) plan through Vanguard, with a 4% employer discretionary match. Employees are eligible after 90 days of employment.

Paid Time Off: Full-time (40 hr/week) employees receive 15 days of PTO annually; full-time (30 hr/week) employees receive 12 days. Additional PTO is awarded at 3- and 5-year tenure milestones.

Paid Holidays: 12 paid holidays annually (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and one floating holiday of the employee’s choosing).

Paid Sick Leave: Full-time employees’ PTO accrual generally satisfies state and local paid sick leave requirements in the states where BELAY hires. BELAY follows all state specific requirements.