Outsourced Controller

Walter Shuffain; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Walter Shuffain is seeking a fully remote Controller for its CAAS team. You will lead client engagements, manage remote staff, and ensure accurate financial reporting for diverse industries.

You will work directly with clients, gain exposure to real estate and high-net-worth accounts, and contribute to a fast-paced, growth-focused firm. Ideal candidates have 8+ years of accounting experience in CAS/outsourced services, a Bachelor's in Accounting, and CPA/CMA preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field; CPA or CMA preferred.
• 8+ years in CAS or outsourced accounting with remote or hybrid experience.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and financial reporting skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple client engagements and deadlines.
• Experience serving high-net-worth or real estate clients is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop work plans, timelines, and milestones for engagements.
• Oversee client finance ops: reconciliations, payroll, month-end close, report prep.
• Provide outsourced controller services and review balance sheet activity.
• Supervise remote accounting staff and train as needed.
• Communicate with client contacts and identify issues with solutions.
• Onboard new clients and manage day-to-day engagement oversight.

Skills

Remote team leadership

GAAP knowledge

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

QuickBooks Online

NetSuite

Sage Intacct

Yardi

AppFolio

Job description

Walter Shuffain is looking to bring on a fully remote Controller for our growing CAAS team. The Controllers at Walter Shuffain are the heart of our CAAS team. They are responsible for leading and managing the critical aspects of the engagements with our clients. This position provides the opportunity to work directly with clients, obtain exposure to a variety of industries, and the opportunity to work within a collaborative, growing and fast-paced environment with significant potential for you to grow.

This CAS Controller role is ideal for an ambitious, detail-oriented accounting professional with passion for client service and an entrepreneurial spirit. In addition to the opportunity to gain valuable experience working amongst clients varying in size and industry, this role will also provide the opportunity to work across multiple lines of service and provide high impact both to clients and our firm.

About Walter Shuffain

Established in 1994, WS Advisors is a Boston-based advisory and accounting firm dedicated to delivering thoughtful tax, financial, and business guidance that helps clients make confident, forward-looking decisions. We pride ourselves on a collaborative culture rooted in accountability, respect, responsiveness, and continuous learning, where diverse perspectives are welcomed and individual growth is encouraged.

Recognized for excellence, innovation, and a supportive work environment, WS Advisors has been named an IPA Top 200 Firm, an IPA Fastest Growing Firm, an IPA Best of the Best Firm, and one of Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For. We invest in our people and foster meaningful careers built on teamwork, integrity, and shared success.

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

Essential Functions

• Developing work plans, project timelines, and key milestones
• Performing/reviewing core functions of client finance and accounting operations: account reconciliations, payroll, month-end close procedures, preparation of financial statements, etc.
• Performing Outsourced Controller services
• Supervising a totally remote accounting staff, including training as needed
• Communicating frequently and effectively with client contacts
• Identifying client issues/deficiencies and assist with recommending solutions
• Overall day-to-day management and oversight of client engagements and our teams
• Onboarding new clients
• Performing/reviewing balance sheet account reconciliations
• Reviewing client financial information and general ledger detail for the purposes of completeness, accuracy, and proper account classification
• Preparing financial statements and key management reports for reporting purposes

Education, Skills And Experience

• 8+ years of demonstrated experience in a CAS practice of a CPA firm or outsourced accounting services provider, in the accounting department of private industry, or ideally ,a combination of both
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field; CPA or CMA preferred
• Proven track record managing both projects and people in a remote or hybrid environment
• Experience serving real estate, family office, or high-net-worth clients is a plus
• Ability to manage multiple client engagements and competing deadlines simultaneously without sacrificing accuracy or client responsiveness
• Strong working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial reporting standards
• Proficiency with cloud-based accounting platforms (QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Yardi, AppFolio or similar)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate financial information for non-financial client stakeholders
• High degree of organization, self-direction, and accountability — this role operates remotely and requires someone who manages their own workload effectively

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this role is $130,000–$150,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of Walter Shuffain’s salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education and/or skill level.