Milwaukee, WI – Controller

GovHRUSA; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

GovHRUSA is seeking an experienced Interim Comptroller to provide hands-on accounting leadership for a public-sector organization in Milwaukee during financial stabilization and audit readiness. Reporting to the CFO, you will own the general ledger, reconcile outstanding items, and strengthen month-end close processes for audit readiness.

This role requires 8+ years of progressive accounting, strong GAAP/governmental accounting knowledge, and hands-on experience with federal grants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and substantial experience.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• 3+ years as a Controller, Comptroller, Assistant Controller, Audit Manager, or comparable senior accounting leader.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading a significant financial cleanup, audit recovery, delayed-close remediation, balance sheet reconciliation initiative, or similar stabilization effort.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, governmental accounting, and GASB standards.
• Experience preparing for financial statement and compliance audits and responding to auditor requests.
• Experience with federal grants or restricted funding and knowledge of Single Audit requirements and 2 CFR Part 200.
• Advanced Excel/spreadsheet and financial data-analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial stabilization and cleanup of the general ledger and material balance sheet accounts.
• Perform and review complex reconciliations and prepare supported correcting entries.
• Investigate aged, unsupported, unusual, or out-of-balance items and determine appropriate resolution.
• Lead audit preparation and coordinate accounting requests from external auditors.
• Prepare and review audit schedules, workpapers, account analyses, and financial statement support.
• Establish and maintain disciplined monthly and year-end close processes.
• Produce reliable financial reports, budget-to-actual results, and variance analyses.
• Identify accounting, reporting, and internal-control weaknesses and implement practical improvements.
• Support accounting for federal grants, restricted funds, and intercompany/interfund activity.
• Direct and review accounting staff while strengthening reconciliation, documentation, and close procedures.

Skills

GAAP expertise

Financial analysis

Advanced Excel

Public sector accounting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Controller

Financial Stabilization & Audit Readiness

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Schedule: Full-Time, Interim/Temporary

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Start: Immediate

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Interim Comptroller to provide hands-on accounting leadership for a public-sector organization in Milwaukee during a period of financial stabilization and audit preparation.

Reporting directly to the CFO, this individual will take ownership of the general ledger, address outstanding reconciliations and accounting issues, strengthen month-end close processes, and organize financial records and supporting documentation for audit readiness.

This is a hands-on role for an experienced accounting leader who can quickly assess incomplete or inconsistent financial records, resolve issues, and establish reliable processes for the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial stabilization and cleanup of the general ledger and material balance sheet accounts.
• Perform and review complex reconciliations and prepare supported correcting entries.
• Investigate aged, unsupported, unusual, or out-of-balance items and determine appropriate resolution.
• Lead audit preparation and coordinate accounting requests from external auditors.
• Prepare and review audit schedules, workpapers, account analyses, and financial statement support.
• Establish and maintain disciplined monthly and year-end close processes.
• Produce reliable financial reports, budget-to-actual results, and variance analyses.
• Identify accounting, reporting, and internal-control weaknesses and implement practical improvements.
• Support accounting for federal grants, restricted funds, and intercompany/interfund activity.
• Direct and review accounting staff while strengthening reconciliation, documentation, and close procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and substantial experience.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• 3+ years as a Controller, Comptroller, Assistant Controller, Audit Manager, or comparable senior accounting leader.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading a significant financial cleanup, audit recovery, delayed-close remediation, balance sheet reconciliation initiative, or similar stabilization effort.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, governmental accounting, and GASB standards.
• Experience preparing for financial statement and compliance audits and responding to auditor requests.
• Experience with federal grants or restricted funding and knowledge of Single Audit requirements and 2 CFR Part 200.
• Advanced Excel/spreadsheet and financial data-analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, CGFM, or comparable advanced accounting credential.
• Public housing authority, HUD-funded housing, local government, or federally funded agency experience.
• Knowledge of HUD financial reporting requirements, including FDS and FASS-PH.
• Experience with multi-entity or intercompany accounting, affordable housing, or real estate development.
• Background in public accounting, governmental audit, forensic accounting, turnaround engagements, or interim controller assignments.

Important Candidate Requirement

Candidates must have personally led and performed a substantial balance-sheet cleanup and audit-readiness effort.Experience limited to high-level review, consulting recommendations, or staff oversight without direct accounting execution will not meet the requirements of this assignment.

Compensation will be between $65-75/hr, commensurate with experience.