Club Controller

Controller — Private Golf & Country Club

About the Club

Our client is a private, member-owned equity club within a luxury gated residential golf community in Palm Beach County, Florida. The club features a championship course designed by a major champion, an extensive practice facility, and a full-service clubhouse with dining, wine room, spa, and fitness center. It serves a discerning, high-net-worth membership and holds itself to an exceptionally high service standard.

Position Summary

• Title: Controller
• Location: Palm Beach County, FL (on-site)
• Reports to: CFO
• Type: Full-time, exempt

The Controller owns the club's accounting and financial reporting end to end. This leader runs the monthly close, budgeting, member billing, and internal controls, and gives the General Manager and Board clear, timely numbers to run a high-end, member-owned club. The role leads the accounting team and partners with department heads in golf, food and beverage, agronomy, spa, and facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and close

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close; deliver accurate financial statements on a fixed calendar
• Own the general ledger, account reconciliations, accruals, and fixed-asset accounting
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll processing, and cash management, including daily cash and bank reconciliations

Member financials

• Manage member billing: dues, assessments, initiation fees, F&B minimums, and member charges
• Account for equity membership transactions, resales, and refundable deposits
• Resolve member account questions with discretion and a high service standard

Budgeting and reporting

• Build the annual operating and capital budgets with the General Manager and department heads
• Produce monthly departmental P&Ls, variance analysis, and forecasts
• Prepare and present financial packages to the Finance Committee and Board
• Track capital projects and reserve funds

Controls, compliance, and audit

• Design and enforce internal controls across all revenue centers
• Coordinate the annual audit and tax filings (including Form 990 or 1120 as applicable) with outside CPAs
• Manage sales and use tax, property tax, insurance renewals, and vendor contracts

Operations partnership

• Partner with F&B, golf shop, spa, and agronomy on cost controls, inventory, and pricing
• Support seasonal staffing and labor cost planning
• Administer and improve club management systems (e.g., Jonas, Northstar, Clubessential)

Leadership

• Train and lead the accounting team
• Act as a trusted advisor to the General Manager on financial decisions

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Private club, hospitality, resort, or HOA/community association experience
• Strong command of GAAP, month-end close, budgeting, and audit preparation
• Experience leading and developing an accounting team
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with club or hospitality accounting software
• Polished communicator comfortable presenting to a Board and serving high-net-worth members

Preferred

• CPA or CMA
• Experience at an equity, member-owned club
• 3+ years as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Accounting Manager
• Working knowledge of Jonas, Northstar, Clubessential, or similar club systems
• Background with capital reserve planning and large capital projects
• Familiarity with seasonal South Florida club operations

Why This Role

This is the top accounting seat at one of South Florida's most respected private clubs. The Controller has direct access to the General Manager and Board, and real influence on how the club invests in its course, clubhouse, and member experience.