Financial Controller

Pacific Executive Search; California; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Executive Search LLC is seeking a seasoned Chief Financial Officer or Senior Controller to steer accounting operations during a strategic transformation in a professional services setting. You will lead a lean finance team and drive technology adoption to improve financial insight and operational efficiency.

You will partner with ownership to deliver forward-looking financial strategies, oversee month-end close, budgeting, cash flow, and regulatory compliance, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Eight+ years in corporate accounting and finance, with 5+ years in leadership.
• GAAP knowledge and financial reporting experience.
• Proven budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Ability to lead process improvements and adopt new finance tech.
• Strong communication of financials to executives.

Responsibilities

• Direct all corporate accounting and finance, including month-end and year-end closing.
• Prepare and present comprehensive financial statements to executive leadership.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and cash flow models for strategic planning.
• Oversee cash management, banking relationships, and liquidity.
• Establish internal controls and accounting policies to safeguard assets.
• Coordinate external audits and tax filings with independent firms.
• Lead and mentor a small accounting team.

Skills

GAAP expertise

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Cash flow management

Leadership

Advanced Excel

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics

CPA designation

Master's degree

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

CRM integrations

Financial software

Job description

Steer the financial helm of a well-established organization undergoing strategic transformation, where your leadership will shape accounting operations and influence long-term business growth. This role offers the chance to lead a lean finance team while driving technology adoption and process enhancements that elevate financial insight and operational efficiency. Partner closely with ownership to deliver forward-looking financial strategies that support evolving business objectives in a professional services setting.

Responsibilities:

• Direct all facets of corporate accounting and finance, including month-end and year-end closing activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
• Prepare and communicate comprehensive financial statements and reports to executive leadership for informed decision-making.
• Develop and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow models to support strategic planning and operational needs.
• Oversee cash management, banking relationships, and financing arrangements to maintain optimal liquidity and financial stability.
• Establish, monitor, and enhance internal controls and accounting policies to safeguard assets and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate external audits, tax filings, and interactions with independent accounting firms to fulfill statutory requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a small accounting team, fostering continuous improvement and adaptability to evolving financial technologies and processes.

Qualifications:

Must-Have:

• Eight or more years of progressive experience in corporate accounting and finance, including at least five years in a leadership role managing accounting teams.
• Deep expertise in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial reporting.
• Proven track record in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and strategic financial analysis.
• Strong proficiency with advanced spreadsheet modeling and financial software tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead process improvements and adopt new technologies within finance functions.
• Exceptional communication skills with experience presenting financial information to executive leadership.

Nice-to-Have:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration.
• Experience within professional services or business services environments, particularly firms with entrepreneurial or evolving operational cultures.
• Familiarity with automation tools, AI integration, and CRM system financial interfaces