Controller
Vaco by Highspring · Charlotte, NC · 2 days ago
On-siteAccountingFull-time
About the role
A well-established private family office and investment organization is seeking an organized, experienced Controller to oversee accounting operations across a diverse portfolio of operating companies, real estate holdings, trusts, and personal family finances. This leadership role will manage a small accounting team while serving as the primary financial liaison to ownership, tax advisors, and external service providers. The ideal candidate will bring strong multi-entity accounting expertise, process improvement experience, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
Responsibilities
Accounting Leadership & Financial Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3–4 accounting professionals.
- Oversee accounting operations for 25+ legal entities, trusts, and operating businesses using QuickBooks Enterprise.
- Strengthen internal controls, workflows, and accounting procedures across the organization.
- Drive timely and accurate month-end close processes and financial reporting, including accelerating the monthly close process to consistently close within 10 business days.
- Prepare financial schedules and reporting packages for ownership and external advisors.
- Maintain professional and confidential communication with ownership and key stakeholders.
Multi-Entity Business Accounting
- Convenience Store: Manage comprehensive inventory tracking, including fuel and regulated products, and prepare sales tax filings.
- Winery: Manage cost accounting, bulk wine inventory coordination, TTB filings, and sales and excise tax reporting.
- Restaurant & Hotel: Oversee tip reporting, payroll coordination, and monthly cash and petty cash reconciliations.
- Real Estate & Construction: Manage CIP accounting, job costing, CAM reconciliations, and provide support for legal and CPA reviews.
- Insurance Administration: Manage employee health plans, property and liability insurance, and life insurance administration.
Trust, Investment & Family Office Accounting
- Oversee accounting and reporting for multiple trust entities.
- Track loans, reimbursements, credit card activity, and intercompany transactions.
- Record and reconcile investment activity, including brokerage and alternative investments.
- Manage personal financial accounting and bill-pay activities for ownership.
- Ensure accurate recordkeeping across all family office and investment-related activities.
Systems & Tools
- QuickBooks Enterprise (separate files per entity)
- Paychex for payroll
- Excel
- POS system: Commerce7
- Wine production software: Vintrace
- Event management software: Perfect Venue
Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
- 5+ years of accounting leadership or management experience.
- Proven experience managing complex, multi-entity accounting environments.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
- Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and automation initiatives.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
- High degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
Preferred
- Experience within family office, private investment, real estate, construction, hospitality, retail, or related industries.
- CPA designation preferred but not required.
- Experience supporting ownership groups, investors, or high-net-worth individuals.
- Advanced accounting systems and financial reporting expertise.
What Success Looks Like
- Consistently delivering accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Maintaining strong internal controls and clean financial records across multiple entities.
- Building a high-performing accounting team.
- Providing meaningful financial insights to ownership and advisors.
- Driving operational improvements that enhance efficiency, scalability, and business performance.