Part-Time Controller — Close, Cash & Compliance Lead

Financeroles; Washington; Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Part-time engagement

Annual professional development stash

Mentorship opportunities

Job summary

The Brand Guild in Washington, DC is seeking an energetic Part-Time Controller to own financial reporting, close, and cash management. You will oversee our part-time bookkeeper and ensure tight controls across payroll, billing, and vendor payments.

This role is hybrid with about 2–3 in-office days per month. Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in accounting/finance with controller-level experience, QuickBooks Online proficiency, and a CPA background is a plus.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of accounting/finance experience incl. controller-level responsibility.
• Experience managing or reviewing a bookkeeper or staff accountant.
• Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks Online.
• Experience with services-agency finances: retainer billing, project-based revenue, or professional-services revenue recognition.
• Demonstrated experience owning a monthly close process independently.
• CPA license or CPA-track background (a plus, not required).
• Prior experience in a PR, marketing, advertising, or events agency.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close process; review and approve journal entries accessed by the bookkeeper.
• Prepare monthly financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) for leadership.
• Maintain and review department-level P&Ls across the eight service departments.
• Monitor weekly cash position and rolling cash flow forecasts.
• Review AP disbursements and payroll funding prepared by the bookkeeper.
• Establish and maintain internal controls over billing, collections, and vendor payments.
• Review client billing accuracy and support collections escalations on overdue accounts.
• Oversight of retainer, project, and client reimbursable expenses invoicing.
• Manage and supervise the part-time bookkeeper's day-to-day transactional work.
• Review reconciliations and entries for accuracy before close.
• Set priorities and cadence for the bookkeeper's weekly workload.
• Coordinate with external CPA/tax preparer on timely filings.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and support audits.
• Help ensure compliance with multi-jurisdiction payroll and tax requirements.

Skills

Progressive accounting/finance

Manage or review bookkeeper

Independent monthly close ownership

Experience in services-agency finances

Controller-level responsibility

Education

CPA license or CPA-track

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Sage Expense Management

Job description

The Brand Guild in Washington, DC is seeking an energetic Part-Time Controller to own financial reporting, close, and cash management. You will oversee our part-time bookkeeper and ensure tight controls across payroll, billing, and vendor payments.

This role is hybrid with about 2–3 in-office days per month. Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in accounting/finance with controller-level experience, QuickBooks Online proficiency, and a CPA background is a plus.