Financial Controller

Zazu Digital Talent; Clearwater (FL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Zazu Digital Talent is seeking a CPA-qualified finance leader to act as the CFO’s right hand, owning finance across six funds, one separate managed account, a parent entity, and 20 consumer brands. This fast-growing, entrepreneurial group requires a hands-on, independent professional comfortable balancing detailed accounting with strategic decisions.

Based in Clearwater, the role is office-based, with a strong emphasis on US GAAP, audits, and scalable finance systems.

Qualifications

• CPA qualification and strong command of US GAAP.
• Experience with multi-entity reporting and audits.
• Background from Big Four or equivalent public accounting.
• Hands-on, independent finance professional with scale-up experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end close and ensure timely group reporting.
• Manage fund-level P&L and consolidated reporting.
• Forecast cash, manage cash, and handle purchase approvals.
• Prepare investor reports and respond to investor inquiries.
• Oversee inventory costing and US GAAP controls.
• Ensure audit readiness and internal controls.
• Perform financial analysis for acquisitions and growth.
• Improve systems and processes as the business scales.
• Develop and mentor accounting staff and finance team.

Skills

US GAAP

Advanced Excel

Strong communication

Hands-on mindset

Multi-entity reporting

Independent worker

Education

CPA qualification

Big Four background

Job description

Clearwater, Florida | Office-based | $125,000–$150,000 + performance upside

I’m partnering with a fast-growing, founder-led ecommerce investment and operating group approaching $100m in revenue. The business is expected to double over the next year, with a long-term ambition to build this division into a $1bn operation.

This is not a conventional Controller role where you inherit a large team and oversee things from a distance.

You’ll be the CFO’s right hand and take hands-on ownership of finance across six funds, one separately managed account, a parent entity and 20 consumer brands. The environment is fast, entrepreneurial and highly commercial, so you must be comfortable moving between detailed accounting work and broader business decisions.

What you’ll own

• Month-end close and accurate, timely reporting across the group
• Fund-level P&Ls and consolidated financial reporting
• Cash forecasting, cash management and purchase approvals
• Investor reporting and ad hoc investor requests
• Inventory accounting and weighted-average costing
• Audit readiness, controls and US GAAP compliance
• Financial analysis and due diligence for future acquisitions
• Improving systems and processes as the business scales
• Developing the existing Accounting Manager and helping build the wider finance team

The right person will be technically excellent but also quick, resourceful and highly independent. You’ll regularly be given an incomplete brief, so you need to be someone who can work through the detail, find the answer and come back with a clear recommendation.

You should bring:

• A CPA qualification and strong command of US GAAP
• A foundation in Big Four or another strong public accounting firm
• Experience owning complex reporting, close or audit work across multiple entities
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large or imperfect datasets
• The ability to communicate credibly with founders, investors and external partners
• A hands-on mindset and genuine appetite to build rather than simply maintain
• Experience within funds, investment management, private equity, ecommerce or an acquisitive business would be valuable, but is not essential

This could suit an Audit Manager ready to make a high-impact move into industry, or an ambitious Accounting Manager, Finance Manager or Assistant Controller looking for a much broader seat.

Ecommerce experience is not required. Intelligence, pace, ownership and the ability to solve difficult problems matter far more.

The role is office-based in Clearwater, so you must be within commuting distance or willing to relocate.

If you’re a high-calibre CPA who wants genuine access to the founders, exposure to acquisitions and the opportunity to help build the finance function behind a rapidly scaling business, I’d love to hear from you.