SVP Controller

Selby Jennings; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 230,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings is seeking an experienced SVP, Controller to lead the accounting function for a large, highly regulated financial institution. This senior executive will oversee accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, planning, internal controls, and finance operations, reporting to the CFO and collaborating with auditors, regulators, and Board stakeholders.

The role requires strong leadership of a large accounting organization, governance, and transformation initiatives, with extensive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive accounting, financial reporting, or finance leadership experience.
• Significant experience leading accounting teams within a regulated financial services environment.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting operations.
• Experience overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and enterprise accounting functions.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and develop high-performing leaders.
• Strong communication and executive presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting, financial reporting, and financial control activities across the organization.
• Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of internal and external financial statements, regulatory filings, and management reporting.
• Oversee general ledger accounting, financial close processes, accounts payable, cost allocation, loan accounting, capital markets accounting, and related accounting functions.
• Serve as the organization's primary authority on technical accounting matters, financial reporting requirements, and accounting policy.
• Direct budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
• Provide executive leadership with meaningful analysis of financial performance, business trends, and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with senior leadership on significant financial, operational, and investment-related decisions.
• Maintain a robust internal control environment and oversee compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead accounting governance efforts, including policy development, accounting research, and implementation of new standards.
• Oversee audit coordination and support regulatory examinations and reviews.
• Lead and develop a high-performing accounting organization comprised of managers and senior leaders.
• Drive succession planning, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Establish performance expectations and ensure alignment with enterprise objectives.
• Lead financial systems, process improvement, and transformation initiatives.
• Drive automation, reporting enhancements, data governance improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Evaluate and implement technology solutions that strengthen reporting accuracy and scalability.
• Present financial results, accounting updates, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and Board-level audiences.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO and executive team on accounting, reporting, financial governance, and operational matters.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Regulated finance

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

MBA or related discipline (preferred)

Job description

A large, highly regulated financial institution is seeking an experienced SVP, Controller to serve as its senior accounting executive. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this leader will be responsible for the strategic oversight of accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, financial planning, internal controls, and finance operations. The role will play a critical part in maintaining the integrity of the organization's financial reporting framework while supporting executive decision-making and long-term growth initiatives.

This is a highly visible leadership position with significant interaction with executive management, auditors, regulators, and Board-level stakeholders. The successful candidate will lead a sizable accounting organization and drive process improvements, financial governance, and transformation initiatives across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting, financial reporting, and financial control activities across the organization.
• Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of internal and external financial statements, regulatory filings, and management reporting.
• Oversee general ledger accounting, financial close processes, accounts payable, cost allocation, loan accounting, capital markets accounting, and related accounting functions.
• Serve as the organization's primary authority on technical accounting matters, financial reporting requirements, and accounting policy.

Strategic Finance & Planning

• Direct budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
• Provide executive leadership with meaningful analysis of financial performance, business trends, and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with senior leadership on significant financial, operational, and investment-related decisions.
• Maintain a robust internal control environment and oversee compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead accounting governance efforts, including policy development, accounting research, and implementation of new standards.
• Oversee audit coordination and support regulatory examinations and reviews.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing accounting organization comprised of managers and senior leaders.
• Drive succession planning, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Establish performance expectations and ensure alignment with enterprise objectives.

Transformation & Process Improvement

• Lead financial systems, process improvement, and transformation initiatives.
• Drive automation, reporting enhancements, data governance improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Evaluate and implement technology solutions that strengthen reporting accuracy and scalability.

Executive & Board Partnership

• Present financial results, accounting updates, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and Board-level audiences.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO and executive team on accounting, reporting, financial governance, and operational matters.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive accounting, financial reporting, or finance leadership experience.
• Significant experience leading accounting teams within a regulated financial services environment.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting operations.
• Experience overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and enterprise accounting functions.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and develop high-performing leaders.
• Strong communication and executive presentation skills.

Preferred

• Experience within banking, financial services, capital markets, or other highly regulated institutions.
• Big Four public accounting background.
• Experience with SEC reporting and integrated audit environments.
• Experience leading accounting transformation, process improvement, or system implementation initiatives.
• Master's degree (MBA or related discipline).

The ideal candidate is a strategic accounting executive who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional leadership capabilities. This individual will have experience operating within a complex financial institution, navigating changing business environments, leading organizational transformation, and serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership.

Candidates should be comfortable building teams, improving processes, establishing best practices, and providing thoughtful perspectives on accounting, reporting, and financial governance matters.

Location:

Relocation to Austin, Texas is required. Candidates must be willing to work onsite and establish a presence with the leadership team and broader organization.