Interim Controller (Public Accounting Experience Required)

The Corporate Controller is a senior finance leader responsible for owning the company’s accounting operations, financial close, GAAP financial reporting, internal controls, and technical accounting execution in a publicly regulated (SEC) environment. Reporting to the Chief Accounting Officer, this role serves as the single point of accountability for the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the company’s financial records and reporting . The Corporate Controller leads the accounting organization and is expected to operate with meaningful leverage through experienced Accounting Managers who function as “mini controllers” over their respective areas. This role is designed to focus on judgment, decision-making, policy-setting, and external-facing ownership , rather than re-performing detailed accounting work. The successful candidate will execute with urgency and accountability, meet reporting deadlines, and continuously improve processes to build a scalable, well-controlled, and sustainable close and reporting function. Reports directly to the Chief Accounting Officer Manages two Accounting Managers, each with 1–2 direct reports Leads the accounting team with a strong emphasis on ownership, accountability, and technical excellence Develops Accounting Managers as independent owners of their respective close and reporting areas Financial Close & GAAP Reporting Own and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes end-to-end, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Review and approve journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and financial statements, focusing on judgment-heavy or high-risk areas. Ensure consistency and accuracy of accounting practices across all entities and departments. Prepare and review payroll-related journal entries and reconciliations for the entire company. Continuously evaluate close processes to identify efficiencies by leveraging AI and other tools and accelerate timelines without sacrificing quality or control. SEC Reporting & Technical Accounting Own the preparation, review, and filing of quarterly and annual SEC reports (Forms 10-Q, 10-K, and related disclosures). Partner with the Chief Accounting Officer on technical accounting conclusions and final documentation for complex or non-routine transactions, owning the initial analysis and drafting. Monitor new accounting standards and SEC guidance; assess impact and lead implementation as needed. Ensure technical accounting positions are clearly documented, consistently applied, and appropriately reflected in financial statements and disclosures. Equity & Complex Accounting Own the monthly calculation, reconciliation, and accounting for stock-based compensation. Lead quarterly valuation review and accounting for warrants and earn-out liabilities, including related adjustments and disclosures. Own quarterly equity reconciliations and earnings per share (EPS) calculations. Internal Controls & Compliance Design, implement, and maintain internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with SOX and SEC requirements. Ensure controls are executed consistently across the organization and documentation is audit-ready. Lead remediation efforts for identified control deficiencies. Partner cross-functionally with Legal, FP&A, HR, and other departments to ensure alignment on financial and compliance matters. Audit & External Relationships Serve as the primary accounting point of contact for internal and external audits. Coordinate audit planning, timelines, and deliverables, delegating preparation and support to Accounting Managers. Personally focus on judgment areas, issue resolution, and external alignment with auditors, valuation specialists, and other advisors. Forecasting & Financial Analysis Support Own forecast integrity and alignment with actual results, partnering closely with the Chief Accounting Officer. Work with Accounting Managers and budget owners to support monthly budget-to-actual variance analyses and explain key drivers. Provide financial analysis and modeling support for strategic and operational initiatives as needed. Execution Mindset & Expectations Operates as a proactive, self-directed leader with a strong ownership mentality. Executes with urgency and accountability, meeting monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting deadlines. Willing to put in the necessary effort during peak reporting periods while actively improving processes to reduce reliance on heroics over time. Continuously seeks opportunities to enhance controls, streamline workflows, and scale the accounting function. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including public company and SEC reporting experience Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting requirements, and SOX/internal controls Hands-on experience with equity accounting, stock-based compensation, EPS, and complex financial instruments Proven experience leading teams and managing external audits Preferred Big Four or national public accounting firm experience Experience in an emerging or high-growth public company environment Experience in financial technology or banking What Success Looks Like in This Role A predictable, well-controlled close process that does not rely on heroics Accounting Managers who operate as confident, accountable owners of their areas Clear, defensible accounting policies and technical positions with minimal last-minute escalations Strong audit outcomes and effective external relationships A demanding but sustainable role that balances rigor with smart delegation Final Note This role offers real ownership, real authority, and meaningful leverage in a public company environment, with leadership alignment to ensure the Corporate Controller can operate at the right altitude and build a durable accounting function. Compensation is between $80-90/hr Full time, contract, interim role for 2-3 weeks and then anticipated hours of 80-120 per month after week 3.