Nashville, TN - Hybrid - OR remote with travel in CT or MT
Bell & Associates has been engaged to help our client recruit their next Controller. As a foundational member of the finance team and a key partner to the CFO, the Corporate Controller will play a critical leadership role in building the accounting infrastructure from the ground up. This is a high-impact, hands‑on role for a seasoned accounting leader who thrives in PE‑backed, acquisitive environments and can balance strong technical accounting execution with the operational urgency of a fast‑scaling platform.
The Controller will own the full controllership function including close, reporting, internal controls, GAAP compliance, and treasury, while simultaneously leading the financial integration of acquired entities and driving the implementation of the Company's accounting systems and tech stack. This individual will be a trusted partner to the CFO in building the financial engine that enables the Company to scale from first acquisition to $50M EBITDA.
Desired Outcomes
- Build a scalable accounting infrastructure capable of supporting the Company from its first acquisition through $50M+ EBITDA, including design of a repeatable acquisition integration playbook.
- Establish GAAP-compliant, audit‑ready financial reporting with a disciplined monthly close process across all operating entities within 90 days.
- Lead the implementation and go‑live of the Company's ERP and integrated tech stack (Aspire, ADP, Ramp, Power BI), serving as the internal super‑user and systems owner.
- Execute purchase accounting and post‑close financial integration for 3‑6 acquisitions per year, including opening balance sheets, working capital true‑ups, and COA migration.
- Produce a monthly financial reporting package for management and the PE sponsor including consolidated financials, debt compliance calculations, lender covenant certifications, and budget‑to‑actual analysis.
- Develop and own a 13‑week rolling cash flow forecast and manage treasury operations, including bank account architecture, cash concentration, and lender relationship management.
- Build and lead a high‑performing accounting team, mentoring talent and fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
- Design and implement company‑wide policies, controls, and procedures including revenue recognition, capitalization, AP approval matrices, and expense management.
Responsibilities
Controllership & Close
- Own the monthly close process, calendar, and sequence of work across all entities; drive accountability and continuously improve close timeliness and accuracy toward best‑in‑class benchmarks.
- Maintain GAAP‑compliant books across a growing portfolio of operating companies with strong internal controls and documentation.
- Manage daily accounting operations: AP, AR, general ledger, bank reconciliations, and intercompany eliminations.
- Coordinate with external auditors and tax professionals for timely completion of annual audits and tax filings; maintain audit readiness and tax compliance at all times.
- Evolve the chart of accounts structure to support consistent reporting, scalability, and management visibility across all operating entities.
Technical Accounting & Acquisition Integration
- Lead all purchase accounting workstreams for acquisitions, including closing balance sheets, opening balance sheets, purchase price allocation (ASC 805), and goodwill/intangible recognition - estimated 3‑6 transactions per year.
- Execute the financial integration of acquired entities (COA mapping, GL migration, ERP onboarding) within 90 days of close.
- Apply expertise in revenue recognition (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), and other relevant technical standards across the platform.
- Partner with external advisors and the CFO to manage QofE roll‑forwards, working capital true‑ups, and rep and warranty compliance.
- Identify and remediate technical accounting issues at acquired companies, including cash‑to‑accrual conversions and revenue normalization.
- Prepare and deliver monthly reporting packages for the PE sponsor, including consolidated financials, KPIs, and variance analysis.
- Manage lender covenant compliance and reporting, including calculation and certification of financial maintenance covenants (leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage, etc.) required under the Company's credit agreement.
- Serve as the internal owner of the debt compliance calendar and all lender reporting obligations.
- Support the CFO in lender relationship management, including amendment processes, borrowing base reporting, and ad hoc lender inquiries.
Treasury & Banking
- Own all banking relationships and cash management operations, including account architecture, signatories, positive pay, and daily cash positioning.
- Lead the consolidation of bank accounts from acquired entities into the parent banking structure.
- Build and maintain a 13‑week rolling cash flow forecast, updated weekly, integrated across all operating entities.
- Partner with the CFO on working capital optimization, credit facility utilization, and cash flow planning.
- Serve as the internal project owner and super‑user for the Company's ERP implementation, overseeing the implementation partner, configuration, and go‑live across all entities.
- Lead the onboarding of acquired entities into the Company's tech stack (Aspire, ADP, Ramp, Power BI) following each acquisition close.
- Continuously evaluate and implement FinTech tools to drive efficiency, automation, and visibility (e.g., expense management, AP automation, close management software).
- Maintain proper internal controls, segregation of duties, and approval workflows appropriate for a growing PE‑backed platform.
- Oversee risk management workstreams including commercial insurance program renewals (workers' comp, GL, auto, umbrella) in coordination with the broker.
- Ensure multi‑state payroll compliance, coordinating with the payroll provider (ADP) and HR on payroll tax, benefits administration, and workforce changes from acquisitions.
- Support benefits harmonization and payroll cutover for acquired companies within 60‑90 days of close.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high‑performing accounting team as the business scales; define roles, responsibilities, and career paths for direct reports.
- Partner with the CFO to design the long‑term finance and accounting organizational structure aligned to the Company's growth trajectory.
- Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement within the accounting function.
Requirements
- 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant controllership responsibility in a complex, multi‑entity environment.
- Prior experience in a PE‑backed, highly acquisitive business is strongly preferred with hands‑on involvement in post‑close integration, and scaling accounting functions through rapid M&A.
- Demonstrated technical accounting expertise, particularly in:
- Purchase price accounting and business combinations (ASC 805) - opening/closing balance sheets, PPA, goodwill
- Revenue recognition (ASC 606), including multi‑year service contract structures
- Lease accounting (ASC 842)
- Cash‑to‑accrual conversions in connection with acquisitions
- Proven track record of ERP implementation and serving as a system super‑user of mid‑market ERP required. Experience with Aspire (field‑service operations platform) and Acumatica or Net Suite a plus.
- Strong working knowledge of PE sponsor reporting - monthly packages, KPI dashboards, board presentations, and management commentary.
- Direct experience with lender covenant compliance and credit agreement reporting, including calculation of financial maintenance covenants and management of debt compliance calendars.
- Solid treasury and banking background: banking relationship management, cash concentration, bank account architecture in a multi‑entity environment, and 13‑week rolling cash flow forecasting.
- Experience in income tax, sales and use tax, property tax and payroll tax preparation and supervision required.
- Experience working with auditors and leading the internal teams in preparation of and completing annual audit required.
- Experience managing payroll operations in a multi‑state environment, ideally through acquisitive growth and payroll provider transitions. UKG experience a plus.
- Background in risk management and commercial insurance programs is a plus (workers' comp, GL, auto, umbrella in a field services context).
- Experience in field services, construction, landscaping, or similar labor‑intensive industries preferred but not required.
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required. CPA required.
- A hands‑on, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves operator who can work independently and move quickly without sacrificing accuracy or controls.
- High integrity leader with strong business ethics and a deep sense of accountability, trusted with money management, accurate financial reporting, and legal compliance.
- Thrives in ambiguity and early‑stage environments; comfortable building from scratch and iterating rapidly.
- Excellent communicator, able to translate complex financial information for a broad audience including PE sponsors, lenders, operators, and acquired business owners.
- Highly organized, process‑oriented, and structured; able to manage multiple concurrent priorities (close, integration, implementation) without dropping balls.
- Collaborative and team‑oriented, a builder who invests in the people around them and finds fulfillment in developing others.
- Ownership mindset, operates like a business owner not just a functional leader. Brings solutions, not just problems.