Junior Controller

DRUM Associates; Red Bank (NJ); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DRUM Associates, a growing consulting and staffing firm, seeks a Junior Controller to own day-to-day financial operations and bridge internal finance with our outside CPA firm. You’ll manage bookkeeping, payroll, invoicing, and cash, partnering with the CEO on projections and strategic decisions.

This hybrid role in Red Bank, NJ or nearby offers ownership, visibility, and a path toward financial leadership as the company scales. You will report directly to the CEO and collaborate with leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting, or finance.
• Experience running payroll in ADP.
• Experience with Bill.com or similar AP/invoicing platforms.
• Comfortable working with outside accountants/CPA firms.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through on collections and reporting.
• Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
• Growth mindset; path toward greater financial leadership as the company scales.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date books.
• Prepare and send financial data to our CPA firm for P&L preparation and tax compliance.
• Answer day-to-day questions about where the business stands financially.
• Process payroll in ADP and ensure accurate and timely employee pay.
• Create and send client invoices and manage collections.
• Monitor cash flow and flag issues proactively; coordinate with CPA on payroll-related reporting.
• Build financial models and projections; support hiring decisions with data.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Accounting

Finance

Payroll

Communication

Tools

ADP

Bill.com

QuickBooks

Job description

Works closely with: Outside CPA firm, Operations Lead

Location: Red Bank, NJ Hybrid

About Us

DRUM Associates is a growing, innovative company in the consulting, staffing, and professional development industry. With over 50 years in business, 1,000+ client partners, and a presence across 32 states, we’ve built a reputation as a trusted partner in talent management, upskilling, and strategic workforce solutions, all while being a very tight-knit team that is collaborative and creative in our solutions.

Join us and you’ll have real visibility into our business, well-established staffing partner and an innovative upskilling platform, with direct access to leadership and a genuine seat at the table as we grow.

About the Role

We’re looking for an Junior Controller to own our day-to-day financial operations and serve as the bridge between internal financial management and our outside CPA firm. This role combines hands-on bookkeeping, payroll, and cash management with financial planning support, you’ll keep our books clean and current, run payroll, manage invoicing and collections, and partner directly with the CEO on projections, hiring decisions, and financial strategy across DRUM Associates and DRUM UPSKILL.

This is a great fit for someone who wants more ownership and strategic exposure than a traditional accounting role offers.

What You’ll Do

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date books
• Prepare and send financial data to our CPA firm for P&L preparation and tax compliance
• Answer day-to-day questions about where the business stands financially

Payroll

• Process payroll in ADP on a recurring basis
• Ensure accurate and timely employee pay, deductions, and tax withholdings
• Maintain payroll records and resolve discrepancies
• Coordinate with CPA firm and Operations Lead on payroll-related compliance and reporting

Cash & Invoicing

• Create and send client invoices
• Follow up on outstanding invoices and manage collections
• Process and track outgoing payments and transfers
• Monitor cash flow and flag issues proactively

Planning & Analysis

• Build and maintain financial models, including commission tracking
• Develop financial projections and forecasts
• Support hiring decisions with financial data
• Partner with the CEO on financial planning and strategic decisions

External Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact with our CPA firm
• Ensure timely, accurate handoff of financial data for tax and compliance needs

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting, or finance
• CPA not required
• Experience running payroll in ADP
• Experience with Bill.com or similar AP/invoicing platforms
• Comfortable working with outside accountants/CPA firms
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through on collections and reporting
• Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Growth mindset — this role has a path toward greater financial leadership as the company scales

Nice to Have

• Experience with commission-based compensation structures
• Prior experience in a small business or startup environment
• QuickBooks or other accounting software experience

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid role based out of Middletown, NJ or New York, NY. Specific in-office days to be coordinated with leadership.