Waste Industry Controller [Sr. Associate]

HF&H Consultants; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range for Senior Associate: $1

Discretionary annual bonus: up to 20%

Profit sharing: 401(k) plan

Vacation days: 15 to 25

Holidays: 10

Sick days: 5

Off-site retreats

Health insurance

HSA contribution

Dental/Life/AD&D insurance

Job summary

HF&H Consultants in Walnut Creek, CA is seeking a Senior Associate with 5+ years in recycling or solid waste finance to move from division controller roles into a consulting track.

You will lead complex analyses, coordinate with clients, and help plan engagements while developing policy, rate design, and contract management support for public agencies. This full-time, exempt role blends technical finance with client-facing responsibility.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in recycling, organics, and solid waste finance or accounting
• Comparable Division Controller/Finance Manager experience in waste services
• Understanding of municipal bids, pricing and profitability analysis
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to organize thoughts logically and communicate concisely
• Develops spreadsheet models with strong Excel skills
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects

Responsibilities

• Work with client and 3rd party personnel to obtain financial and operational data
• Review rate adjustment applications for mathematical accuracy and compliance with franchise agreements
• Review 3rd party records to support agency fee calculations
• Supervise and perform analyses with strong Excel skills
• Perform financial evaluation of proposals to local governments for solid waste services
• Summarize results in spreadsheets, tables, and narrative
• Research and develop rate setting structures
• Quality control reviews on reports and deliverables
• Assist in preparing reports, client presentations, and proposals
• Assist planning and monitoring engagements, staffing, billing, and client relationships
• Participate in professional events and seminars

Skills

Financial analysis

Communication

Spreadsheet modeling

MS Office proficiency

Organization & time management

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Undergraduate degree in Business/Accounting

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking for a candidate with 5+ years of experience as a Division Controller (or Assistant Division Controller or comparable) in the recycling and/or solid waste disposal industry who is interested in moving to a Consultant position. The Consultant-equivalent title, ‘Senior Associate’, is used below.

Why Consider HF&H Consultants?

HF&H Consultants is a mission-driven consulting firm that works exclusively with public agencies on complex, high-impact challenges in solid waste, recycling, organics, water, and wastewater services. Our work often involves high visibility, tight timelines, evolving conditions, and significant public accountability.

We are intentionally a small firm. Every team member is trusted with meaningful responsibility and is empowered to take ownership of their work, follow commitments through to completion, and continuously look for ways to improve outcomes for our clients and our team.

We value people who care deeply about the quality of their work, adapt quickly when conditions change, and stay focused when projects become demanding. In return, we offer meaningful work, strong mentorship, and opportunities for growth.

About This Role

This role is designed for someone who wants more than clearly defined tasks and static responsibilities; it is ideal for someone who is comfortable managing complex deliverables, coordinating with clients and stakeholders, and progressively leading meetings, analyses, and policy development. This highly motivated professional supports and progressively leads contracting assistance, procurement support, and contract management services for public agency clients.

Our projects are dynamic and real-world. Priorities shift, challenges arise, and expectations are high. Successful team members take ownership without waiting to be asked, adapt quickly when plans change, and continue executing with discipline and professionalism.

This full-time position reports to our Walnut Creek office, with occasional evening meetings and overnight travel. The position may be hybrid (in-office Tu/Th/occasionally Friday), but requires periodic visits to client or third-party locations, as needed (typically five to seven days per month).

Depending on experience and qualifications, the successful candidate will join as a Senior Associate. Responsibilities and level of independence will scale based on experience. We expect to make a significant investment in the successful candidate’s professional development and to provide rewarding career opportunities for management roles within the firm.

Who Thrives at HF&H

People who thrive at HF&H take initiative, care deeply about quality, remain engaged when work is demanding, and bring positive energy to their teams.

What You Will Do

• Work with client and 3rd party personnel to obtain financial and operational data
• Review 3rd party rate adjustment applications for mathematical accuracy and compliance with the compensation methodology prescribed in the franchise agreements, including the review of financial and operational records to support the application
• Review 3rd party financial/operations records to support agency fee calculations
• Supervise and perform and analyses (candidate must possess strong analytical and Excel skills)
• Perform financial evaluation of proposals to local governments for solid waste – related services
• Summarize the results of the tasks performed in a clear succinct manner (spreadsheets, tables, narrative, etc.)
• Research and develop emerging rate setting and/or rate structures
• Perform quality control reviews on reports and written work products
• Assist in the preparation of written reports, client presentations, and proposals
• Assist in planning and monitoring multiple concurrent engagements, to include staffing, performance, billing, and maintaining/developing client relationships
• Participate in and/or present at professional and industry events and seminars

What You Will Gain

HF&H places a high value on investing in our team. One of our core values is that “we relate to each other positively, supporting our professional development and providing opportunity for personal rewards.” This position will benefit from:

• Exceptional training and frequent coaching from a “mentor” assigned to you from your first day
• On-project training from HF&H’s partners and a deep pool of senior consultants
• Annual development of a “personal development plan” and formal continuing education and project assignments geared towards developing your depth and breadth of expertise
• Rewarding and challenging work assignments that improve the efficiency, affordability, and effectiveness of public services
• Support and guidance for developing your career path within the firm (i.e., upward or lateral)
• Development of new technical skills for managing processes, projects, and resources
• Continue building best practice skills to thrive in their consulting career

What You Bring

• 5+ Years of prior experience in the recycling, organics, and solid waste industry (accounting or finance functions)
• Comparable experience as a Division Controller, Assistant Controller, or Finance Manager for a solid waste collection company
• Understanding of industry financial practices, to include municipal bids, pricing and profitability analysis, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis (e.g. accounting, statistics, finance, etc.)
• Undergraduate Degree in Business, Accounting, Environmental Economics, Economics, or Related Field is suggested; practical experience in controllership/accounting or financial analysis may be substituted for education, on a case-by-case basis.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to organize thoughts logically and communicate them concisely
• Strong logic skills, especially related to the development of spreadsheet models (e.g. rate models, report tables, etc.)
• Exceptional attention to detail, especially related to consistency
• Inquisitiveness balanced with a sense of significance
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing schedules
• Proficiency with the use of Microsoft Office Suite

Bonus Points (highly desirable)

• Prior experience in the California markets for recycling, organics, and the solid waste industry
• 5+ Years of prior experience in consulting or professional services
• Active California CPA license
• Valid California Driver’s License and access to personal transportation

We Offer

HF&H Offers a Competitive Total Compensation Package While Emphasizing Work/life Balance For Our Employees (in 2023, Associates Averaged Less Than 43 Hours Per Week). This Is a Full-time, Exempt Position. Some Highlights Include

• Salary range for Senior Associate: $104,616 – $132,147
• Discretionary Annual Bonus: up to 20% of Annual Salary, performance based.
• Profit Sharing: Minimum 3% contribution to a 401(k) profit-sharing plan; 2025 contribution was 6%.
• Fifteen (15) Vacation days per year (increases with tenure, maximum of 25 days per year).
• Ten (10) Holidays per year (including one “floating” holiday to be used at employee’s discretion).
• Five (5) Sick days per year.
• At least two days of off-site staff retreats and social events each year.
• Health Insurance:
• HF&H contributes 95% of employee’s premium (and 67.5% of dependent premium) towards the premium of our Kaiser health insurance plan.
• HF&H contributes $2,500 per employee or $4,000 per family towards a Health Savings Account.
• Dental/Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance.

The Fine Print

This is an at-will position and, as such, can be terminated at any time without notice and for any reason. Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete performance assessments, reference checks, verification of academic performance, and any other due diligence HF&H deems appropriate prior to making an unconditional offer for employment. Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or assessment process should advise the hiring manager upon submittal of an application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request. HF&H is an equal opportunity employer.