Interim Controller

East 57th Street Partners; United States; On-site; USD 76,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

East 57th Street Partners is assisting a private equity-backed portfolio company in identifying a highly hands-on Interim Controller. This role owns the accounting function, builds a disciplined month-end close, and supports system transformation initiatives.

This leader will roll up their sleeves, establish robust processes, and deliver GAAP-compliant reporting while partnering with executives to drive financial clarity and control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including Controller or Assistant Controller roles.
• Experience in private equity-backed or high-growth environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build and implement a month-end close process from the ground up.
• Hands-on experience leading or supporting system transformations or ERP implementations.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the full-cycle accounting function, including general ledger, AR/AP, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Operate at a detailed level within the accounting function, ensuring accuracy and completeness across all transactions.
• Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Design, document, and implement a structured month-end close process from scratch.
• Establish timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables to ensure a timely and repeatable close.
• Drive accountability across the team to improve speed, accuracy, and consistency.
• Lead or support ERP/system implementation, upgrade, or optimization initiatives.
• Evaluate current processes and implement scalable, best-in-class workflows.
• Improve data integrity, reporting accuracy, and overall financial infrastructure.
• Prepare and review financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Deliver timely and actionable financial reporting to leadership and stakeholders.
• Provide variance analysis and insights to support business decision-making.
• Support audit readiness efforts, including reconciliations and documentation clean-up.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with external auditors and advisors as needed.
• Provide hands-on leadership and guidance to the accounting team.
• Establish structure, accountability, and best practices within the function.
• Partner closely with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders.

Skills

Accounting

GAAP

Excel

ERP Systems

7+ years experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

NetSuite

SAP

Job description

Compensation: $55–$65 per hour (based on experience)

Duration: 3–6+ months (with potential for extension)

Overview

E57 Partners is engaged on behalf of our client, a private equity-backed portfolio company, to identify a highly hands-on, execution-focused Interim Controller.

This role is designed for a finance leader who is comfortable operating in the weeds — owning the details, rolling up their sleeves, and building structure where it does not yet exist. The Interim Controller will take full ownership of the accounting function, with a strong focus on establishing a disciplined month-end close process from the ground up and supporting system transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Execution & Ownership

• Own and execute the full-cycle accounting function, including general ledger, AR/AP, payroll, and fixed assets
• Operate at a detailed level within the accounting function, ensuring accuracy and completeness across all transactions
• Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes

Month-End Close Buildout

• Design, document, and implement a structured month-end close process from scratch
• Establish timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables to ensure a timely and repeatable close
• Drive accountability across the team to improve speed, accuracy, and consistency

System Transformation & Process Improvement

• Lead or support ERP/system implementation, upgrade, or optimization initiatives
• Evaluate current processes and implement scalable, best-in-class workflows
• Improve data integrity, reporting accuracy, and overall financial infrastructure
• Prepare and review financial statements in accordance with GAAP
• Deliver timely and actionable financial reporting to leadership and stakeholders
• Provide variance analysis and insights to support business decision-making

Audit & Compliance

• Support audit readiness efforts, including reconciliations and documentation clean-up
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and reporting requirements
• Coordinate with external auditors and advisors as needed
• Provide hands-on leadership and guidance to the accounting team
• Establish structure, accountability, and best practices within the function
• Partner closely with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA preferred)
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience
• Proven experience in private equity-backed or high-growth environments
• Demonstrated ability to build and implement a month-end close process from the ground up
• Hands-on experience leading or supporting system transformation or ERP implementations
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, or similar)

What We’re Looking For

• A true roll-up-your-sleeves operator who is comfortable working in the details
• Someone who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous, and evolving environments
• A builder who can create structure, process, and discipline within the accounting function
• Strong communicator who can partner effectively with leadership and stakeholders

Why This Role

This is a high-impact opportunity to step into a private equity-backed environment and build the foundation of a scalable accounting function. The right candidate will play a critical role in establishing core processes, improving financial visibility, and positioning the company for continued growth and operational success.