Controller

The Controller is responsible for leading all accounting and financial reporting activities across a portfolio of advertising, marketing, communications, media, and consulting agencies. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Group Controller ensures timely and accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, acquisition integration, cash-flow management, and compliance with lender and private equity investor requirements.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical accounting expertise with a hands-on operating mindset and experience in private-equity-backed professional services organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close Process

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Prepare consolidated financial statements for multiple legal entities.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP.
• Review agency-level financial results and analytical reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement in close timelines and reporting accuracy.
• Prepare board, executive leadership, and investor reporting packages.

Private Equity & Lender Reporting

• Serve as the central accounting contact for private equity sponsors.
• Prepare covenant calculations and lender compliance reporting.
• Produce monthly KPI reporting packages for PE owners.
• Assist CFO with management presentations and financial analyses.

Acquisition & Integration Support

• Participate in accounting due diligence support for acquisitions.
• Coordinate purchase accounting and opening balance sheet activities.
• Integrate acquired agencies into accounting and reporting systems.
• Manage earnout calculations and acquisition-related accounting.
• Standardize financial processes across acquired entities.

Accounting Operations

Oversee:

• General ledger
• Accounts payable
• Accounts receivable
• Billing and revenue recognition
• Payroll accounting
• Fixed assets
• Intercompany accounting
• Cash management

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls.
• Manage annual audit process and external auditors.
• Coordinate tax compliance with outside advisors.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, lender requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Lead implementation of accounting process improvements.
• Ensure accounting policies are consistently applied throughout the organization

Team Leadership

• Manage accounting staff
• Develop high-performing accounting teams across multiple locations.
• Establish performance metrics and development plans.
• Create scalable accounting infrastructure to support growth.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA required or strongly preferred.

Experience

• 12+ years progressive accounting experience.
• 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience within:
• Advertising agencies
• Marketing services firms
• Medical communications agencies
• Professional services organizations
• Consulting organizations
• Law firms
• Board and investor reporting.
• Earnout accounting.

Technical Skills

• Strong US GAAP knowledge.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• ERP implementation or optimization experience.
• Consolidation systems experience.
• Revenue recognition expertise for professional services organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public accounting background (Big Four or national firm).
• Private equity portfolio company experience or desire to acquire these skills
• Experience supporting acquired companies.
• Experience in organizations with revenue between $100M and $1B.
• Familiarity with agency holding company structures.
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams.