Senior Corporate Controller: Payroll & GAAP Lead

KemperSports; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

KemperSports is seeking an accomplished Corporate Controller to lead and transform our enterprise accounting, payroll and controllership organization. This senior finance leadership role will own the integrity of financial reporting, scalability of internal controls, and payroll for 10,000+ staff across 44 states.

The role requires deep GAAP knowledge, multi-entity consolidation experience, and the ability to drive automation and process improvements across accounting and payroll.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• CPA designation.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-entity accounting and consolidation environments.
• Experience overseeing or partnering closely with large-scale, multi-state payroll operations and demonstrated understanding of payroll controls, accounting and compliance.
• Experience leading external audits, treasury operations and ERP/financial systems.
• Demonstrated success improving accounting and payroll processes, controls and organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Lead the corporate accounting organization, including general accounting, financial reporting, multi-entity consolidation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets and related accounting operations.
• Own the monthly, quarterly and annual close and consolidation processes, with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, continuous improvement, U.S. GAAP-compliant financial reporting and executive reporting packages.
• Establish clear accounting policies, standards and accountability across the organization.
• Maintain rigorous balance-sheet governance, including reconciliations, reserves and account ownership.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance on acquisitions, divestitures and other complex transactions.
• Oversee client-reimbursable invoicing and accounting.
• Own end-to-end payroll processing and payroll accounting for 10,000+ employees across 44 states, ensuring accurate, timely and highly controlled payroll execution.
• Lead and develop the payroll organization, establishing clear accountability, service standards and operating disciplines appropriate for a large, geographically distributed workforce.
• Ensure effective controls over payroll processing, funding, reconciliations, deductions, garnishments and related financial activity.
• Oversee multi-state payroll tax processes and compliance, partnering with external tax, legal and Human Resources resources as appropriate.
• Establish payroll performance metrics and controls, including accuracy, timeliness, exception management, reconciliations and issue resolution.
• Develop and continuously strengthen a risk-based internal control environment appropriate for a large, growing and complex privately held organization.
• Establish consistent accounting practices and controls.
• Lead the annual external audit and maintain strong relationships with external auditors.
• Ensure appropriate accounting governance, documentation and policy compliance.
• Lead the modernization and automation of accounting and payroll processes, systems and workflows.
• Identify and implement opportunities to use automation, analytics and AI to improve accuracy, speed and productivity.
• Reduce manual processes, eliminate unnecessary complexity and improve the speed and quality of the financial close.
• Manage corporate cash, liquidity and treasury relationships.
• Partner with third-party subject matter experts on tax and enterprise risk-management matters.
• Establish appropriate financial operating metrics and accountability.
• Recruit, develop and retain a high-performing accounting and payroll team.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration and service to the business.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on accounting, payroll, financial reporting, controls and business matters.

Skills

U.S. GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Leadership

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA designation

Tools

ERP systems

Payroll software

Job description

KemperSports is seeking an accomplished Corporate Controller to lead and transform our enterprise accounting, payroll and controllership organization. This senior finance leadership role will own the integrity of financial reporting, scalability of internal controls, and payroll for 10,000+ staff across 44 states.

The role requires deep GAAP knowledge, multi-entity consolidation experience, and the ability to drive automation and process improvements across accounting and payroll.